Interested in nutrient dense sprouts but wondering, “what is the easiest way to grow sprouts at home?” – let me show you how to grow sprouts in a jar!
Supplies for Growing Sprouts at Home:
You can purchase sprout growing kits (I have a kit like this) or assemble the supplies yourself to grow sprouts in a jar:
- Glass jar
- Lid that drains
- Rack to prop up jars
- Sprouting seeds
I started growing sprouts in a jar using supplies I already had: glass jars, cheesecloth scraps, and a dish drain rack to prop up the jars. It worked and I loved growing sprouts at home – but looking at that damp cheesecloth made me a little nauseous:
Sprout Growing Kits
You can buy sprouting lids to fit jars, but I decided to purchase a sprout growing kit and I love it! The lid is easy to wash and doesn’t stay damp, plus the rack is small and more convenient to use than the larger dish drain rack. If you don’t need two jars for growing sprouts in jars, try this single kit for smaller amounts.
Notes on Growing Times + Instructions:
When you purchase sprouts, they will have sprouting instructions on the packaging which will tell you how long to soak sprouts, how often to rinse, and how quickly you can expect them to grow. Just like growing any plant, the care instructions will vary depending on what kind of seed you have. But below is a general idea of what to expect as you begin growing sprouts at home.
How to Grow Sprouts in a Jar:
- Place a tablespoon of seeds into a jar.
- Add water to the jar, double the depth of seeds.
- Soak the seeds, per the instructions on your sprout package (typically overnight).
- Screw on the sprout lid and drain the water completely.
- Pour in water and swirl it around to rinse the seeds well.
- Place the jar, upside down, on a 45 degree angle, so the water can fully drain.
- Repeat the rinsing process at least twice a day (3-4 times a day is ideal).
- Keep the jar in a cool spot, typically out of direct sunlight.
- Once the sprouts have fully grown (approx. 3-5 days), rinse a final time.
- Drain thoroughly (I move them to a colander at this point).
- Once drained, separate the sprouts so they aren’t so tightly packed.
- Store in the fridge and consume within a week.
The Importance of Rinsing and Draining:
The most important part of how to grow sprouts in a jar is RINSING and DRAINING. If you want to grow sprouts in a jar, you have to take these instructions seriously, because if the water sits/pools harmful things can grow. In the beginning, I used a drain rack to get the jars up at the right angle but the best bet is to get a sprouting kit with a stand, to ensure the water drains properly. If you already have jars and lids, you can get stands separately.
How to Store Sprouts:
- Transfer sprouts to a colander for a final, thorough rinsing.
- De-clump the sprouts, so they aren’t so tightly bound together and air can flow.
- Drain sprouts very well before storing.
- Store in a clean container (most sources say air tight, I found a Pyrex dish worked well).
- Keep sprouts refrigerated and dry – you can add paper towel above/below to absorb water if needed.
What is in a Sprout?
I used to think that a “sprout” was a specific thing: a small, green, leafy thing – like spinach or celery – but actually sprouts are just seeds that have germinated and grown into a very young plant. So you can have all different kinds of sprouts grown from different seeds, like broccoli seeds or lentil seeds. So you can grow bean sprouts or grow broccoli sprouts – whatever your stomach desires! When you’re eating the sprouted form, you’re basically eating the mini version before it could grow into what the seed is supposed to be – and it’s typically eaten raw. Sprouts are usually broken up into different categories: Bean/Pea Sprouts, Vegetable Sprouts, Nut/Seed sprouts, and Sprouted Grains.
Which is why, if you’ve had “sprouts” before and didn’t like them, don’t write them off just yet! As I started growing sprouts, I realized I hated the taste of some and loved the taste of others. So it’s worthwhile to experiment a little and discover the sprouts you enjoy most. What I have here is a mix of alfalfa, mung beans, red clover, and red radish. If you don’t want to commit to growing a bunch of sprouts you don’t like, head to a local farmer’s market and purchase some first. Once you land on sprouts you love, you can buy your own seeds and grow sprouts at home.
Why Eat Sprouts as Opposed to the Plant They Came From?
Sprouts are nutrient dense and fairly inexpensive and easy to grow at home. So while some veggies might not be as good or plentiful during certain seasons, you can always reap their nutritional benefits by growing sprouts at home. There are a whole host of health reasons, from their antioxidants to their digestibility, but the best reason is that they’re an easy way to eat something healthful. They grow quickly, so you can enjoy them fresh, and you don’t need to prepare them – just add them to salad, inside wraps, sandwiches, and burgers, or enjoy them alone as a side.
What is So Special About Sprouts?
Sprouts have the same health benefits of their fully grown plant counterparts, but at higher concentrations. I read that 50 cups of broccoli and 1 cup of broccoli sprouts have similar nutrition. So sprouts are more nutrient dense, which makes them beneficial to consume – especially for folks who are struggling to fit adequate veggies into their diets.
Safety Concerns Regarding Home Grown Sprouts:
Unfortunately, raw sprouts may contain harmful bacteria and also develop mold or rot. The damp environment increases the risk – which is further increased because sprouts are typically eaten raw or cooked very lightly. Here are some tips to grow sprouts safely:
- Choose a REPUTABLE SUPPLIER of sprout seeds (seeds can carry salmonella, E. coli, etc.,)*
- WASH HANDS before handling seeds or sprouts.
- Start with clean, preferably STERILIZED JARS and lids.
- Use CLEAN WATER to soak and rinse the seeds/sprouts.
- Be sure to RINSE your sprouts thoroughly and frequently.
- Make sure the jars are positioned to DRAIN in between rinsing.
- Avoid growing sprouts in direct sun or high humidity.
- Thoroughly RINSE, DRY, and REFRIDGERATE sprouts.
- Consume sprouts within 7 days (WATCH for signs of spoilage, like sliminess).
*This is where I bought my seeds, but please do your own research!
Who Should Avoid Eating Sprouts?
Because sprouts are grown in damp environments and consumed raw, there is a risk that sprouts may contain salmonella, E. coli, etc. While sprouts are very nutritious, they come with the risk of food poisoning (whether grown at home or purchased from the store). Please do your own research, but generally those who should avoid eating raw sprouts include:
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Elderly folks
- People with weak immune systems
P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!
