How to Grow Mung Bean Sprouts

Do you love adding sprouts to your soups, sandwiches, and salads?  This easy food tutorial will show you how to grow mung bean sprouts in a jar.

First of all, what are mung bean sprouts? 

Sprouts are formed when seeds start to 'sprout' into a full vegetable.  Mung bean sprouts are (wait for this) — sprouts from mung beans! 

They're a delicious, vegetarian source of plant-based protein.

You've probably eaten them (or at least seen them) if you've eaten Pad Thai or the Vietnamese soup Pho. 

If you've seen an Asian or Asian-inspired recipe that calls for 'bean sprouts,' it probably meant mung bean sprouts. 

These tasty veggies are crunchy, delicious, and incredibly easy to grow at home.

Bean Sprout Safety

When I was growing up, I loved adding bean sprouts to my sandwiches.  I'd pile them high, and dig in.  I loved the crunchy texture and the delicate flavors.

In the late 90s, however, bean sprouts began vanishing from grocery stores.  Let's call this "The Case of the Disappearing Sprouts."

I searched high and low, near and far, but could NOT find sprouts.  Why not?

Sadly, bean sprouts are not always safe to eat, and major grocers pulled them off their shelves (although you can still find them in some international markets or health food stores). What's the problem?

If the seeds aren't treated correctly, or the sprouts are grown incorrectly, you can end up getting sick and regretting your food choices.  However, since I love the flavor, and a lot of meals seem incomplete without them, I wasn't ready to give up on bean sprouts.

Can you solve all your bean sprout health woes by growing your own sprouts at home?  No, because the problem can start with how the seed itself has been treated.

That's why it's extra important to buy mung beans that are SPECIFICALLY meant for sprouting or eating raw.  These seeds will be inspected more carefully with FDA regulations than seeds meant for planting.

Some sources recommend adding citric acid to your sprouting water to keep the sprouts even safer.  I haven't tried this, but it is an option.

That said, I am not a doctor and if you've been advised by a doctor to avoid bean sprouts, please follow their advice, not mine.

What Equipment Do I Need?

To grow mung bean sprouts, you need food-grade mung beans.

You also need a clean glass jar that's at least 16 ounces in size. A standard Mason jar works just fine.

You'll also need something to cover the jar. A piece of cheesecloth with a rubber band works well, or you could pick up a sprouting jar lid. The sprouts need airflow, so do not use a mason jar lid.

Another option (which I love, but isn't totally necessary), is to use a sprouting jar kit. These kits typically include the jars, airflow lids, blackout sleeves and and airflow stand.

Does Temperature Matter?

Yes!

If you live in a very cold or hot climate, and your home isn't climate controlled, that will affect the growth time of your sprouts.  It may be impossible to grow sprouts in very cold rooms.

How to Grow Mung Bean Sprouts

Start by sanitizing your glass jar.  I do this by putting it in the oven at 225-degrees for at least 20 minutes.  Leave the jar in the oven until you're ready to start.

Next, rinse your mung beans.  Add the beans in to the clean jar, and add 2-3 times more water than beans. 

Secure the cheesecloth over the top of your jar with a rubber band (or attach the sprouting jar lid), and set your jar in a dark space at room temperature (like in a cabinet).

If you're using a sprouting jar kit, you can use the blackout sleeves and airflow stand, and leave the jars on the counter where you're less likely to forget about them.

Soak the seeds overnight (or for about 8-12 hours), and then drain the water. 

Rinse the beans, drain all the water out, and store the jar on its side.

If you're using a sprouting jar kit, place the jars back inside the blackout sleeves and store them lid-side down on the airflow stand.

Rinse the beans twice a day for about 3 days, and then set the sprouted beans (still in the jar) where they can get some sunlight. 

Leave them in the sun for about one day, and then refrigerate the sprouts and use them up within 3-5 days.

Tips for Storing Mung Bean Sprouts

Once you've finished the final rinse, keep your sprouts as dry as possible. 

Don't wash them until right before you're using them, and do not continue to rinse the sprouts each day.

Have you tried growing your own sprouts?  Let me know in the comments!

If you love growing bean sprouts, you might also love this tutorial on How to Make Kombucha!