NOTE: I wrote this article a LONG time ago (back in 2016) and just updated it. Growing your own sprouts is simply one of the easiest and best ways to grow some food at home. Here’s my simple and practical plus very inexpensive process and directions for sprouting seeds such as radish, broccoli, mustard, and many others.

Half a decade ago I became addicted to growing my own sprouts, and I still am. If you come to my house, you will see all kinds of "strange" things on my counter top, and sprouts in varying stages will be one of them! You’ll also see different foods fermenting, including the best onion relish ever, beet kvass for energy and inflammation, and fizzy delicious kombucha!

Regarding sprouts: I love growing them right in my kitchen, and I will show you how! Growing sprouts is fun for kids, too.

When I was a little girl, back in the 70's, my mom went through a very "healthy" stage. She even grew sprouts (horrors! to my little girl self) on the counter in one of those fancy seed sprouting gadgets. That was a fad back then, that sadly, didn't seem to last.

But now that I'm all grown up, like my mom, I'm sprouting all kinds of things! Let’s learn about sprouts! Find out how to grow them, why they’re so great for your health, and where to get your simple supplies.

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The Health Benefits of Sprouts

Digestion

Sprouts are filled with enzymes! They are actually a live plant!

While seeds and beans have anti-nutrients that either make digestion difficult and/or strip some of the nutrients from the food itself, sprouts have moved into a new stage of the plant life cycle and therefore don’t cause these problems, including gastric distress, otherwise known as "gas."

They are also filled with fiber, which helps the intestinal tract as well as the health of your gut microbiome.

Metabolism and Nutritional Balance (and Possibly Weight Loss?)

Protein is the go-to word for weight loss these days, and sprouts contain a very high amount of protein in relation to the other macro-nutrients (carbs and fat). There are some who believe that sprouts may even help you lose some weight! After all, they are a nice little vegetable.

For vegans and vegetarians, especially, growing and eating your own sprouts may help ensure the proper amount of protein is eaten! Low carb, low (no) fat, and high protein. Sounds like a deal to me!

Immune System Booster

Sprouts are filled with nutrients that support the body, and especially the immune system. Vitamin C is especially prominent, as is Vitamin A. Did you know that as the sprout develops, the amount of Vitamin A increases by nearly 10 times? Specific health problems that sprouts may help with are cold sores, allergies, asthma, and more.

Overall, sprouts are an exceptional super food, and when eaten regularly can help improve a number of health issues.

A Little Warning

There have been some outbreaks of e-coli infection from eating sprouts. They are rare in the big picture, but I feel this needs to be mentioned. It is VERY important to only buy your seeds you plan to sprout from a reputable source.

I always buy mine from Starwest Botanicals. Their quality is excellent, their shipping is fast, and their prices are very reasonable. PLUS, you can choose to buy organic for just pennies more. I have no worries using sprouts from this company.

Another Positive for Sprouting Your Own Seeds: Saving Money on Food

Seed sprouting is SUPER inexpensive. I mean, I'm talking about cents for a huge Mason jar of sprouts! If you purchase them from the store, you will pay quite a lot for what you get (in my opinion). Last time I looked, a fresh package of sprouts was going for around $5.00. That was awhile back, and with the rise in food prices, I’d bet they cost a lot more now.

More importantly, you have no idea how truly fresh they are. Actually, compared to my own sprouts, I personally think they taste rather yucky. Yum! Cheap, fresh sprouts!

You might enjoy this article on 10 Money-Saving Tips from Survivors of the Great Depression Era.

But What on Earth Do You Do with Sprouts?

I get this question often, so let’s talk about some ways you can use or cook with your fresh sprouts:

Add them to your salads
Add them to sandwiches
They’re great in wraps and roll-ups, especially alfalfa, sunflower, radish, and broccoli
Bean sprouts are delicious in potato salads
They’re super in cole slaws, too
Add them to your morning smoothie!
Stir fry them with your Asian dishes
You can add them to dips and sandwich spreads
Sometimes I’ll stir them into stews and soups at the end of the cook time
They’re a great topping on scrambled eggs or omelets
You can use them as a lettuce substitute in many ways

You can see there are MANY ways to use your sprouts and enjoy better health and fresh food. There are even more than these, I’m sure, as they’re so versatile.

How to Sprout Seeds to Eat and Where to Buy High Quality Sprouts

You can sprout all kinds of seeds and legumes. Mung beans, chick peas, broccoli, red clover, barley, and the list goes on and on. You can also buy them in blends! Right now, my favorite is Starwest Botanicals Sandwich Sprout Blend. It contains a nice combination of Radish, Alfalfa, and Red Clover. Delicious!

Keep on reading for step-by-step instructions and what to look for each day of the sprouting process.

This is Starwest Botanicals' Sandwich Blend of sprouting seeds.  Radish, Alfalfa, and Red Clover.  The seeds arrive in an airtight bag, but I like to store mine in a labeled jar with a tight lid.  I like my seeds fresh as can be! — This is Starwest Botanicals' Sandwich Blend of sprouting seeds. Radish, Alfalfa, and Red Clover. The seeds arrive in an airtight bag, but I like to store mine in a labeled jar with a tight lid. I like my seeds fresh as can be!

What You Need to Sprout Your Own Seeds

Seeds, such as any of the above types

Wide mouth Mason Jar (I use at least a quart size, and sometimes even a half gallon jar if I have one on hand)

Cheesecloth

Rubber Band

Water

Directions for Seed Sprouting

1. Measure out a tablespoon or two of the seeds in a wide mouth Mason jar (or other wide mouth jar is fine)

Birds' eye view of the sprout blend!  Start with fewer seeds until you get an idea of how the seeds sprout and how large they will get.  They are all slightly different.  It doesn't look like much now, but you will end up with a jar F… — Birds' eye view of the sprout blend. Start with fewer seeds until you get an idea of how the seeds sprout and how large they will get. They are all slightly different. It doesn't look like much now, but you will end up with a jar FULL of beautiful green sprouts!

2. Cover the seeds with water and allow them to soak for several hours or overnight. Cover the opening of the jar with several layers of cheesecloth, using a rubber band to secure around the mouth of the jar.

3. Drain out all the water after the soak period is done, and rinse with fresh water. Drain again.

4. Lay the jar on its side, allowing the seeds to lay across the bottom of the moist jar.

5. Rinse well twice a day, drain the water each time, and again, lay the jar on its side.

This is after about a day and a half.  By the time this jar was done sprouting, it was about 3/4 full of sprouts!  This took about 3 total days.  For this batch, I used about 2 tbsp of seeds (maybe a smidgeon more) in a half-gallon Ma… — This is after about a day and a half. By the time this jar was done sprouting, it was about 3/4 full of sprouts! This took about 3 total days. For this batch, I used about 2 tbsp of seeds (maybe a smidgeon more) in a half-gallon Mason Jar. I yielded about 3 cups of sprouts.

6. After about 3 to 5 days depending on the seeds you use, you will have some LOVELY and TASTY sprouts!

Here's a close up.  I probably could have let them go another day, but was anxious to eat! — Here's a close up. I probably could have let them go another day, but was anxious to eat!

Final Thoughts on Sprouting Seeds for Food

I love growing food. Between our indoor gardens (hydroponics), our simple seed sprouting and baby plant sprouts (both in soil and in a Mason jar as just described), and our outdoor vegetable garden and orchards, we grow around 85% of our plant-related foods.

Truly, it’s a blessing to know that we have the ability to grow food for ourselves!

Anyone can do this anywhere. Sprouting seeds is one of the BEST ways to get some fresh, healthy greens into your life. Hands down. I hope you’ll give it a try, and if you do, let me know how it goes for you!

Here are some other articles and videos you might find interesting:

Companion Planting Guide for Your Garden with a beautiful printable

Planting a Vegetable Garden for Food: A Modernized Victory Garden

How to Transplant a HUGE Half-Dead Aloe Vera Plant….and healthy ones too, and…here’s a video if you’d like to watch how to do it.

How to Make Your Own Aloe Vera Gel

What is Fermentation and Why You Should Add Fermented Foods to Your Diet

and literally, there are hundreds more articles on my website and videos on my new-ish YouTube channel! I hope you’ll stick around and explore.

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Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,

Heidi

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Disclaimer: The information in this article, elsewhere on my blog, in my shop sites, in conversations, and on labels is for informational purposes only and not meant to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any medical condition. Please see a medical professional for concerns. I simply provide my own personal advice based on experience and study for ways to live a healthy and natural way of life. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

How to Sprout Seeds to Eat at Home and Get Perfect Sprouts Every Time