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March 23, 2021 in Garden trends· Green living· Spring garden

Sprouting peas and beans in a jar

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Sprouting peas and beans in a jar

Pea sprouts are $5 at the local grocery store. Such a tiny bunch. Barely enough for one salad. Since I’m not paying that exorbitant price I learned to sprout.

I’m so glad I did! Nothing could be easier or cheaper than sprouting peas and beans in a jar.

What speaks “spring” to you? For me, it’s the return of the ducks from the south, muddy boots and fresh peas. Is that why peas are always on the menu for Easter?

There’s a plethora of choices when it comes to sprouting. For beginners, it’s a good idea to start sprouting with peas and beans.

If you like the taste and experience, then move on to broccoli, red clover and radish.

Low in calories and high in protein, sprouting is simple, healthy, and easy to do. In just 4-5 days, you have fresh grown vegetables for your salad. Talk about farm to table.

Let’s sprout today! Here’s how.

sprouting peas and beans in a jar day 1
Peas take 3-5 days to sprout. This is what day one of pea sprouting looks like.

Why bother sprouting peas and beans?

Sprouts are seeds that have germinated and become very young plants. The process is called sprouting. Sprouts are eaten for a special green treat.

Investing a few minutes of your time and a few bucks in equipment can produce tasty and economical vegetables at home.

Best of all, spouting peas and beans in a jar can be done year-round for fresh and crispy veggies when you least expect it. Nothing is growing in my garden from January through April but sprouts can be grown anytime indoors.

Think you don’t already eat sprouts? Re-think that! Ever munch on the inch-long and thread-like gangly sprouts at the salad bar? How about the three-inch noodle-like mung sprouts in your favorite chop suey?

Big emphasis on fresh veggies. Today’s mass produced vegetables are coated with a multitude of chemicals, picked before they are ripe, shipped thousands of miles and stored for many days on trucks and grocery store shelves before you consume them.

By the time you eat those white-tipped strawberries, they don’t have much nutritional value or flavor.

So by sprouting peas and beans in a jar, you have 100% eliminated agricultural pesticides and preservatives from your food. You are eating the healthiest and freshest food possible grown in the privacy and comfort of your own home!

Your kids or grandkids will love sprouting and it counts as the science lesson of the week. Plus, those of us who are impatient only have to wait 4-5 days to enjoy the fruits of our labor instead of months as is the case with most garden grown veggies.

Day 2 of peas sprouting
Day 2 of pea sprouting.

How to use pea and bean sprouts

Sprouts are super nutritious and can be eaten raw or cooked. Sprouts boast those famous B vitamins and other minerals including iron, potassium, folate, manganese, thiamin, niacin, vitamin C and riboflavin.

Sprouting peas and beans add a bit of crispness to your recipes. I use them mostly raw in salads or to make my sandwich healthier and prettier. Ditto for that omelet.

Sprouts are also easily incorporated into stews, soups and stir-fries.

No fresh green salad or pasta salad is complete without a few sprouts on top. And your daily smoothie will thank you for a dollop of sprouts on top in lieu of the more traditional whipped cream.

Finally cook sprouts with quinoa, rice, vegetables or any grain for a complete meal or a unique side dish to pass at the neighborhood party.

Where to get peas and beans to sprout

Where do I get seeds to sprout?

There are lots of easy and fairly cheap places to get sprouts.

The quickest place will be any grocery store. The seeds, legumes or grains are usually located in the Mexican, Asian or rice aisle.

But they may or may not have organic seeds which are vital. Your local natural health food store will almost always carry a great selection.

International food stores or the international food section of your local grocery store is always a safe bet. Check the Asian/Indian section in particular for a wider choice.

Your local grocery store may also have a natural/organic section to check out. The cheapest option is always going to be the bulk section. The easiest option is to buy sprouting seeds online.

Sprouting peas and beans in a jar.
This is what day 3 of sprouting looks like!

Supplies needed for sprouting peas and beans

  • Sprouting seeds. Peas, beans, mung or garbanzo are the easiest to start with for first time sprouters
  • Sprouting jar with a stainless steel screen and lid. I LOVE this jar and always use it with much success!
  • Filtered or purified water
  • Citric acid powder

*You can’t just sprout any old seed from a seed packet. Those won’t work. Seeds packed for garden planting and those packaged for sprouting have different standards.

Sprouting seeds must be prepared in a food-grade facility that ensures no contamination comes across the seed. Garden seed could potentially become a breeding ground for pathogens that could make you sick.

So only use seeds specifically labelled, packaged and sold as sprouting seed. Purchase high-quality, untreated, non-genetically modified (non-GMO) seeds, grains, or legumes that have been tested for germination.

I use a jar designed specifically for sprouting that has a metal mesh lid. But a Mason Jar or bowl could be made to work.

The process will still work if you ventilate the container properly. You’ll have to make a plastic wrap “lid” and poke holes in the top for air circulation.

But if you plan on sprouting multiple times, buying a sprouting jar for $5-$6 makes a lot of sense!

1/4 cup of peas is good for sprouting

Method for sprouting peas and beans in a jar

  1. Place two tablespoons of sprouting seed or 1/4 cup of legumes/grains/peas/beans in a sprouting jar with three times as much water as seed. Soak overnight. For many small seeds, five hours of soaking is sufficient. If you have it, adding a teaspoon of citric acid powder will help hinder spoilage.
  2. The next morning, drain the water from the jar. Rinse seeds in fresh, lukewarm water and drain again. Once you have thoroughly drained your seeds, place your jar in a warm (70 degrees F) and dark place. A pantry or closet work well or even the dark corner of your kitchen counter top. I put mine in a box.
  3. Continue to rinse and drain seeds twice a day until they are about an inch long. Just because I’m silly, I sniff mine with each rinse to make sure they smell fresh. If for whatever reason, they don’t, I compost them and start again. In hot and dry weather, you may need to rinse the seeds three times a day. Turn jar over gently. Overturning the jar rapidly will cause shifting in the sprouting seeds. This can break the tender shoots and kill the sprout. This breakage causes the sprout spoil.
  4. Sprouts should be ready to eat in 3-5 days, depending on the seed used. But taste them each day to see if you like them! Put in sunlight on the last day to add chlorophyll turning them green and giving them extra nutrients. Yippee-skippee. After the sprouts have “greened up” (1-2 days) transfer them to a lidded container lined with a paper towel. Store in fridge. Bon appetit.

Insider tip: Some people save the water used from rinsing the sprouts as a treat for their house plants!

Sprouting peas and beans in a jar.
Day 4 of sprouting

Are sprouts safe?

Yes! You may have a few concerns over salmonella or bacteria growth but using safe kitchen practices is always the same whether you are growing sprouts in your kitchen or handling any other food.

It always helps to buy certified organic sprouting seeds so you can enjoy sprouts safely.

Sanitation is always at the forefront. Make sure your sprouting jar and lids are clean and sterilized just as you would any canning jar.

Never eat sprouts that look or smell weird. If they smell bad, turn a strange color, or grow mold toss them in the compost bin and start again. This can happen if your jar wasn’t cleaned properly or the sprouts are not rinsed enough.

Eat sprouts within 3-4 days of sprouting and always store in an airtight container always in the fridge.

And as an added safety warning, pregnant woman or nursing mothers should never consume sprouts just to play it safe.

Final tip: It’s important to avoid excess moisture during the sprouting process. If indoor humidity is 70% or greater….sprouting is a no-go.

Sprouting peas and beans in a jar.
Day 5 sprouts ~ they are ready to eat! Crisp and delicious.

Sprouting Timetable

SeedQuantityYieldDaily RinsesGrowing TimeBest Sprout Length
Alfalfa (salads)2 tbsp1 qt25 days1-2′
Alfalfa seed (baking)1/4 cup1 cup224 hours1/8″
Broccoli seed1 tbsp2 cups24 days1″
Fenugreek seed1/4 cup4 cups25 days3″
Mung beans1 cup4 cups43-4 days2-3″
Radish1 tbsp2 cups23-5 days1/2-1″
Red Clover3 tbsp1 qt24 dayswhen sprout is green
Sunflower seeds1 cup3 cups224 hours1/2″
Wheat1 cup4 cups33 days1/2″
Sprouting peas and beans

When was the last time you ate sprouts?

62 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    March 25, 2021 at 7:40 am

    I have a sprouting mix and a jar, and I keep thinking I should start making my own again! I will try adding Citric acid and see what the end result is as I have never done that before 🙂

    Reply
    • Brenda Williamson says

      March 29, 2021 at 9:55 am

      Good to know, will try soon.

      Reply
    • Donna L Holder says

      April 3, 2021 at 4:14 am

      this is a great idea

      Reply
    • Juanita russell says

      April 17, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      I need to do this

      Reply
  2. Ronnell Storie says

    March 25, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    I’m not a rabbit. Thanks for the article. I’m sure it will help the healthy eating folks. Everyone might not have citric acid powder on hand. Would some lemon juice work?

    Reply
  3. Chad Boyd says

    March 28, 2021 at 1:00 am

    This is an awesome idea. Thank you so much for sharing this!

    Reply
  4. ellen beck says

    March 28, 2021 at 1:29 am

    I used to do this all the time. I ike sprouts.Hubby does not care for sprouts. He is no fun

    Reply
  5. Audrey says

    March 28, 2021 at 1:37 am

    Great idea!

    Reply
  6. Phyllis Skoglund says

    March 28, 2021 at 2:19 am

    The wonder and beauty of nature is within sprouts.

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    March 28, 2021 at 2:24 am

    Gonna try this thanks!!

    Reply
  8. Liz Kilcher says

    March 28, 2021 at 8:28 am

    wonder of nature, thanks for the info

    Reply
  9. Melissa Mazzur says

    March 28, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    What a great learning experience for my kiddos!

    Reply
  10. monique s says

    March 28, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    This looks really neat and I bet the kids would love to watch the sprouting

    Reply
  11. Mi Webber says

    March 28, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    About 3 months ago when I grew some indoors.

    Reply
  12. Julie Waldron says

    March 28, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    This looks like a fun family project. I didn’t know you could sprout peas.

    Reply
  13. Jean F says

    March 28, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    The limit on humidity could make sprouting impossible for me here in FL, but I will try it. I used to do this but got out of the habit.

    Reply
  14. Carrie Trail says

    March 28, 2021 at 4:26 pm

    I learn so much from your site…I just love you guys!

    Reply
  15. Katherine Leo says

    March 28, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Wow seems like fun

    Reply
  16. Sam says

    March 28, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    Sprouting guides are always handy. Definitely going to have to try this one.

    Reply
  17. Janis C says

    March 28, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    I had no idea that sprouting could be done so easily. Thanks for sharing this information.

    Reply
  18. Soraya M says

    March 28, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    I am going to try this out. Thanks!

    Reply
  19. cindy besanceney says

    March 28, 2021 at 7:21 pm

    I’m definitely Going to try this out. Thank you for the info!!

    Reply
  20. Debbie Yoder says

    March 28, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    Looks easy! Im going to try this!

    Reply
  21. Ronnell Storie says

    March 28, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    Good article for the health conscious. I’m not. 🙂

    Reply
  22. SaraLee E says

    March 28, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    I am going to try this in my garden this year

    Reply
  23. Betsy Pauzauskie says

    March 28, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    Thank you for suggesting “citric acid powder,” which I’ve not used; but, am willing to try. We began sprouting seeds shortly after we were married, as my husband loved them on sandwiches & as a salad topper. We bought the solid plastic twist on lids for mason jars shortly thereafter for the added convenience. We’ve not done sprouting lately, yet when I mentioned it to my husband, he said he’s all in! I hope this means we’ll return to our marital weight. Ha, ha! We will enjoy this.

    Reply
  24. Barbara Calder says

    March 29, 2021 at 1:14 am

    I have never add citric acid powder to my sprouts but I will try this. Thanks for all your great tutorials.

    Reply
  25. Debbie Rhpades says

    March 29, 2021 at 5:18 am

    I adore sprouts and will have to try this! It sounds like fun.

    Reply
  26. Gayle C Stafford says

    March 29, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Thanks

    Reply
  27. Cynthia says

    March 29, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    I’m going to have to try this. Thanks for info.

    Reply
  28. kathy m says

    March 29, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    Thanks for the informative tutorial – I have enough confidence because of the information to try this at home! Will invest in a sprouting jar! It will be so nice to have organic clean sprouts for my family!

    Reply
  29. adam miller says

    March 29, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    Interesting article.

    Reply
  30. Anita Sue Hamilton says

    March 29, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    I am probably not going to do this!

    Reply
  31. Sandra McFadden says

    March 29, 2021 at 6:17 pm

    What a great time saver for plants to grow. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  32. Chris Civitello says

    March 29, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    I never tried sprouts, but I can now! Thanks for this BLOG.

    Reply
  33. Lori Byrd says

    March 30, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    My grandkids would have such fun doing this.

    Reply
  34. Ron Weinberg says

    March 30, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    I love sprouting.

    Reply
  35. Itzel M. says

    March 30, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    Can’t wait to try this with my kid!

    Reply
  36. Tony Platz says

    March 30, 2021 at 7:56 pm

    Never tried this before but I sure will now .

    Reply
  37. paige chandler says

    March 31, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    I never heard of a sprouting jar. wow. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  38. Rosanne says

    April 1, 2021 at 6:54 am

    Sprouted vegetables are very healthy when one is trying to help one’s immune system

    Reply
  39. Peggy Nunn says

    April 1, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    I used to sprout my own beans. I don’t know why I stopped. I will do it again. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  40. Sherry Keef says

    April 1, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    This is good to know and sprouting in as little as 3 days, wow!

    Reply
  41. joanna says

    April 1, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    I’ll have to try it!

    Reply
  42. Brittany D Gilley says

    April 1, 2021 at 10:47 pm

    I didn’t know it was that easy!

    Reply
  43. Leela says

    April 1, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. It works well.

    Reply
  44. Tara L says

    April 2, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    I’ve never done this in my life nor ever heard about it. Good to know different tips and tricks from other bloggers.

    Reply
  45. Maryann D. says

    April 4, 2021 at 11:53 am

    I do not know much about sprouting. But this is a wonderful idea! My daughter would love to try this!

    Reply
  46. Wendy says

    April 6, 2021 at 5:06 am

    That’s awesome! It reminded me of science in school. We used garbanzo beans. I think I’ll give it a try since the doc said I have to start eating better. Does a sprout and ice cream sandwich count?

    Reply
  47. Thanay Binford says

    April 7, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    Great article, thanks

    Reply
  48. Chris Lewis says

    April 9, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Love bean sprouts. Have not tried spouting peas yet.

    Reply
  49. Amber Lee Kolb says

    April 9, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    This is so neat, thank you for sharing! I love peas and green beans and growing my own veggies.

    Reply