Finding out how to grow bean sprouts is easy and they're usually ready to eat in about three to five days. The only equipment you need is a clean jar so they take up hardly any space. There's not much involved when it comes to growing them either, just a simple rinsing process that's quick to do.
Unlike many of the crops you may select for your kitchen garden ideas, it's one of the few crops you can sow and harvest all year round. One small pack of seeds will keep you going for ages, so they're economical to grow too.
These super quick crops are packed full of fresh flavor and crunch, as well as nutrients that give you a daily vitamin and mineral boost. They have been linked with many health benefits including helping to normalise blood pressure and bad cholesterol. So finding out how to grow bean sprouts is a quick win all round!
You can buy special tiered sprouting trays from health food stores but why bother when you can find out how to grow bean sprouts in a jam jar. It's quick and easy with our step-by-step guide:
When it comes to growing bean sprouts this is generally taken to mean mung beans. These small green beans belong to the legume family and are plant food powerhouses. They're versatile and easy to add to your diet, and can be eaten both raw and cooked.
Grow them in exactly the same way as you would bean sprouts, as outlined above.
You can grow bean sprouts on your kitchen windowsill in as little as three to four days. Just remember a dimly lit spot is best and to keep them out of direct sunlight. They are ready to eat when the white sprout is at least 0.6in (1.5cm) long. You can grow the sprouts longer if you wish but don’t stop the sprouting process too soon.
If the sprouts are exposed to light while they're growing the leaf tip will turn green on days 5 and 6. If kept in the dark, they will remain white, like the bean sprouts from China. There's no right or wrong - it's all down to personal preference.
If you're looking for other crops to grow on your kitchen windowsill, our guides on how to grow basil and how to grow parsley are a great place to start.
Sprouts are generally ready to eat when the bean skins have dropped off and the first pair of leaves have opened. You know they are ready to eat when they are 1-2in (3-5cm) long. This is usually after 4-5 days.
You can sprout beans in an empty plastic water bottle. Make sure it's clean then use a funnel (you can make a funnel from the top half of another water bottle) to add your pre-soaked mung beans. Slide the bottle into a thick brown paper bag and fold over the end to keep out the light.
Rinse the beans three times a day by filling the bottle with cold water. Use a fork over the neck of the bottle when you drain out the water to stop the beans escaping. After four to five days your beans will be ready to eat.
You can sprout beans in a simple cheesecloth or muslin 'bag'. Take a square of fabric and add your pre-soaked mung beans. Pull up the edges of the fabric so that your mung beans are wrapped into a loose ball and place somewhere that's out of direct sunlight.
Rinse the ball of mung beans under the tap three times a day. After four to five days your mung beans will be ready to eat.
Like any other raw food, sprouts can carry bacteria so there are some basic rules to follow when it comes to how to grow bean sprouts.
You can sprout almost any legume or seed, including everything from chickpeas and lentils to alfalfa, clover and kale (find out how to grow kale in our guide). You can also sprout grains, such as barley, wheat, and spelt. You can even grow sprouts from popping corn kernels.
There are a couple of exceptions such as chia seeds and flax seeds, which tend to be tricky to sprout so are best avoided.
As well as finding out how to grow bean sprouts, it's also possible to grow mung bean plants from scratch. However, it is best to start plants off in late spring.
For indoor planting, use containers with good drainage holes in the base. Don’t overwater mung beans planted in pots as they don’t like soggy soil. Beans can be harvested in three months.
Why stop here? Read our guides on how to grow runner beans and how to grow French beans to cram more bean crops into your kitchen garden!
If you want to find out how to grow bean sprouts successfully you need to start with the right raw materials. In theory you can walk into any store and pick up a bag of mung beans, and chances are it will work out fine.
But it's important to point out that sprouting seeds are tested for e.coli and salmonella, and the growers take great care to make sure the seeds they sell are free of the bacteria that can thrive in the sprouting environment. So better to be safe and use the right kind.
Your local health food store should stock packets of sprouting seeds and they can also be purchased easily online from sprout specialists as well as at garden centers.
Now you know how to grow bean shoots, you're probably eager to get started. Most health stores and garden centers will have them but you can also order them online. Our quicklinks will make the job easier.
Where to buy beans for sprouting in the UK:
Where to buy beans for sprouting in the US:
Bean sprouts are low in calories and have a light, fresh flavor, making them perfect for adding to salads and stir fries. They also pack a nutritional punch.
If you're looking for more crops to grow in a small space at home, our small vegetable garden ideas includes plenty of suggestions to help you maximize the potential of your plot.
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