Growing Bean Sprouts

In this Instructable learn how to grow delicious bean sprouts. Bean sprouts are a very common ingredient for Asian cooking and nothing beats crispy fresh ones. With nothing more than a container, water and time you can grow them at home.

Step 1: Watch the Video

Here is a video of the whole process. The written directions follow.

Step 2: The Growing Container

For the growing container, I am using a box I picked up at the Dollarstore. You want one that is around 3" in height, the larger the container the more sprouts you can grow.

Drill holes in the bottom of the container, space them around 1cm apart. You can also heat up a nail and poke holes in the plastic.

You need a piece of hard plastic cut to fit inside your container and also something to use for weight, in this case I am using a 2.5 lbs weight.

Step 3: Mung Beans

The beans to grow Asian style bean sprouts are mung beans. They can be bought usually in the international section of the grocery store.

Fill the bottom of your growing container with enough beans to cover evenly. Then pour the beans in a bowl and fill with water. Let them soak over night.

Once they start sprouting they are ready for the next step.

Step 4: Transfer to the Growing Container

Transfer the sprouting mung beans to the growing container and spread them out on the bottom. Put the plastic on top of them and then the weight. The purpose of the weight is to provide the beans with some resistance so they grow thick.

Put the growing container somewhere dark and keep at room temperature.

Step 5: The Next Day

Let grow overnight and the next day water them, drain and place them back to the growing spot. As you can see they are getting much longer.

Step 6: Let Grow

For the next 5-6 days, repeat the previous step.... Water, let drain, let grow.

Step 7: Rinsing the Beans

On day 6 or 7 the beans should be nice and tall, ready for harvesting. Rinse the bean sprouts in a bowl of water to separate the bean shell from the sprouts. They are ready for eating or can be stored in the fridge for days.

Comments

[akinich]

Hi! In step 7 it looks like there is some fungus on the sprouts, right below the weight on the bottom right side. Or is it something else ?
Great instructable !

[robert.wilton.3]

If you zoom in you can see it is condensation on the underside of the plastic the weight is holding down. At least that is what I think you are looking at - at about 4 or 5 o'clock if the weight was a dial?

[offseid]

Wow this looks so easy.

[JpsManCave]

I Love this stuff may have to try this.

[offseidjr]

I love mung beans! Living in Asia, I have done this before.

[parisusa]

I love growing my own sprouts...especially for my pet bunny Billy! Free fresh food grown all year 'round is great for people & pets!

[KeeganB6]

This is a really cool project! I really like your pictures. I plan on growing these along with https://www.instructables.com/id/Diy-Green-Pea-Gras... soon to make a tasty meal!

- Keegan

[S189]

Your sprouts came out great! I wish I'd thought to make my own container for sprouting (have jars, trays, etc.), would've gotten into this a lot sooner. Great pictures detailing the growing stages.