How to Make Sprouts at home

Instant Pot Moong Beans are ready for salad

5 from 2 votes

How to Make Sprouts at home

Nothing is more fascinating and satisfying than seeing your lentils and legumes sprouting out beautifully. And, of course, nothing compares to the freshness and crunch of the freshly sprouted beans when added to other dishes. Add a handful of Mung bean sprouts in soups, salads, chaats, and sandwiches, and see their magic work!

Prep: 10

Rest: 1 4

Total: 1 4 10

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Nut-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: cups

Calories: 359kcal

Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

1 cup Green Mung Beans
- - Water to rinse

Instructions

SPROUT BEANS

Sort through the moong beans to remove all the pebbles and gritty things.
Rinse the beans under tap water. Rub the grains between your fingers to get rid of all the residues.
Drain it well.
Transfer the rinsed beans to a clean bowl. Soak the beans in enough water to cover them by about an inch. Cover and soak them in clean water for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Soaking helps to soften the seeds and initiate the sprouting process.
This is how the beans will look after soaking – swelled and doubled in size.
After soaking, drain the water through the strainer, and rinse the seeds with fresh water.
Transfer it to the same bowl. Add fresh water and allow the beans to soak for another 6-8 hours.
Tip — Soaking for at least 6-8 hours helps the seeds rehydrate and begin germination. While soaking, make sure to keep the soaked beans covered in a warm place.
The outer shell needs to break before the mung beans start sprouting.
If any “white foam” float to the top during the soaking time, remove them with a spoon, rinse the beans, and continue sprouting. This will reduce the chances of harmful bacteria breeding.
Ideally, the outer cover takes about 6-7 hours to break in a hot and humid environment. But if it doesn’t break in the given period, extend the soaking for another 2-4 hours. However, continue to rinse and drain the seeds 2-3 times a day until your sprouts reach the desired size.
This is how the beans will look like after 12-16 hours. With the first sign of sprouts, remove beans from the water. Drain and rinse the beans with tap water.
Transfer sprouts to a wet muslin cloth and place it over the strainer.
Tip — Germinating moong bean sprouts in a colander lined with muslin cloth could be the best way, as it provides the proper airflow which is required for germinating the beans.
Wrap the wet cheesecloth around the beans. Make sure the cloth is damp.
Rest the strainer (containing beans) over a bowl. You can place a bowl of water underneath the colander to provide a moist environment. But the seeds may still dry out in the warm place and must be kept moist. Cover the colander with a damp cloth and sprinkle water every 2-3 hours to moisten the fabric.
Tip — Keep the seeds moist; if they are dry, it will kill the sprouting process.
Moong bean sprouts are ready.
If you want your sprouts to grow longer, let them rest for one more day, and you can have sprouts like those pictured below.
Once the seeds have fully sprouted, give them a final rinse, remove any unsprouted seeds, and enjoy them fresh or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.

HOW TO MAKE SPROUTS IN INSTANT POT

Rinse the moong beans under tap water. Rub the grains in between your fingers to get rid of all the residues. Transfer the rinsed beans to a clean bowl. Soak the beans in enough water to cover the dal by about an inch. Make sure the grains are completely submerged in water. Soak the moong beans for 8-10 hours or overnight.
Always use a large bowl to soak the beans as soaked and rehydrated moong beans will swell and double in size.
Add 1/3 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert. Place an Instant Pot steamer basket in the insert. Add the soaked moong beans to the steamer basket. Cover the insert pot insert with a glass lid. Turn the Instant Pot ON. Select the “Yogurt” option on the front panel. The default setting is 8 hours; therefore, press the “+” option to set the time to 10 hours.
After 10 hours, you will see tiny sprouts coming out of the moong beans. If you want longer sprouts, then please go ahead and proceed to the next step.
Drain and change the water in the insert. Remove the steamer basket and rinse the sprouted beans thoroughly under tap water. Please don't rub the grains. Return the steamer basket to the Instant Pot insert.
Cover it with the glass lid and set the timer for another 10 hours by selecting the “Yogurt” setting. After 10 hours, you will enjoy the perfectly sprouted moong beans.
Enjoy these delicious and nutritious Instant Pot moong bean sprouts in salads, cutlets, and chilas.

HOW TO MAKE SPROUTS IN A JAR

Wash and clean ¼ cup of assorted beans under tap water 2-3 times until the water runs clear. Transfer it to a clean jar, add enough water to soak the beans, and close the jar with the lid. Let it soak overnight.
Tip — Grab a clean, wide-mouth jar and cover the opening with a mesh cloth or sprouting lid to create a perfect sprouting environment. This will ensure proper air circulation while keeping out dust and bugs.
Next morning – drain the water and rinse the beans. Add fresh water and completely discard the water you had used to soak the beans earlier. Cover the mouth of the jar with a muslin cloth/cheesecloth and secure the jar with its lid rings (top removed).
Place the jar in a warm place and let it soak for another 6-8 hours. During this soaking time, beans will expand and soak in water. After 8 hours, drain and rinse the beans with tap water. Sprouts after 18 hours.
Remove the cloth and wash the beans under cold water. With the first sign of sprouts, remove sprouts from water. Drain all the water, transfer it back to the jar, and let it rest in a warm place for another 6-8 hours. Beans after 20 hours.
Sprouts after 30 hours.
You can include them in salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, cutlets, paranthas, and chaats and even blended into smoothies for a healthy drink.

Video

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my moong beans not sprouting?

There are two possible reasons for delayed sprouting. The most probable reason could be that the moong beans are not soaked for the required duration. They must be soaked until the outer shell breaks, giving way to proper sprouting.

The other possible reason could be that you may use organic beans that take longer to sprout than regular beans.

How can I use the homemade bean sprouts?

Sprouts can make a healthy addition to your daily diet in various ways. They are highly nutritious and versatile, making them easy to consume as a snack or a meal.

You can include them in salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, cutlets, paranthas, and chaats and even blended into smoothies for a healthy drink.

Can I use canned beans to sprout?

Canned beans are already cooked; therefore, they are unsuitable for sprouting. Always make your homemade sprouts from freshly rinsed raw beans or legumes.

Is sprouting your moong beans safe?

Growing your sprouts at home under hygienic and sterile conditions makes the moong bean sprouts safe for consumption. But as they require a humid environment to grow, they may be at risk of foodborne bacteria.

If that concerns you, you can consider steam cooking or sautéing the sprouts before consuming them. Half cooking, with a slight crunch left to them, is also great for consuming.

How can I serve my fav bean sprouts?

Freshly sprouted moong beans can be served raw with a sprinkle of chaat masala and a dash of lemon juice. Add a few freshly chopped mint leaves for extra flavor and freshness.

You can also cook the sprouts if you don’t like them raw. Other options could be making cutlets with the sprouted beans or adding them to the soups or chaats. Either way, sprouts will add more health, fun, and deliciousness to the food.

How can I best store my homegrown sprouts?

Homegrown sprouts stay fresh for up to 4 days when appropriately stored under refrigeration. For this, wrap them in a kitchen paper towel, transfer them to the airtight container, and refrigerate them.

Consume within 1-2 days. However, if you notice any discoloration or change in smell or taste, do not consume them. You can discard them immediately as they are no longer fit for consumption.

Nutrition