How to Grow Sprouts in a Jar

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Sprouts are like tiny powerhouses of nutrition, packed with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. They add a fresh crunch to salads, sandwiches, and wraps, and they are surprisingly easy to grow at home. I’ve been growing my own sprouts for years. With a little patience and following this guide of how to grow sprouts in a jar, you will have fresh sprouts in 3-6 days.

Even if you lack a green thumb or outdoor space, you can cultivate these nutrient-rich wonders right on your kitchen countertop at a fraction of the cost of what you would at the grocery store! On average, sprouts in the store cost about $4-$5 for a small package, they most likely are not fresh, or have been treated to extend shelf life. I paid about $19 for a 1lb. bag of broccoli sprout seeds. That bag has lasted almost 10 months and I make 2 quart jars of salad sprouts and broccoli sprouts weekly.  That’s a savings of about $180 at a minimum!! 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to grow sprouts in a jar, ensuring a fresh supply no matter the time of year, including in the midst of winter.

Best seeds for jar sprouting

The first step in growing sprouts is selecting the right seeds. You can find sprouting seeds at health food stores, online, or Amazon. They come in various varieties like alfalfa, broccoli, radish, mung bean, salad sprout seeds, and lentil, among others. Make sure you choose organic sprouting seeds, as they are free from chemicals or coatings that could inhibit growth.

I typically use and rotate between a salad sprouting mix, alfalfa, radish and broccoli seeds. 

For the beginner – I recommend starting with a salad mix seed.

Equipment and Materials

In the photo above I have a bowl with one tablespoon of salad sprouts and a bowl with one tablespoon of broccoli sprouts.

• Wide-mouth glass jar (quart or half-gallon size)
• Stainless steel mesh sprouting lid
• Tray, dish drainer, or dish for drainage – this is the set-up I use – Seed Sprouting Kit
• Grapefruit seed extract – this is optional but I highly recommend
• Seeds to sprout – broccoli seeds, salad mix seeds,
• Water

The Sprouting Process

Rinse the seeds

• Start by measuring out about 1-2 tablespoons of seeds, depending on the size of your jar (I use 1 tablespoon for my quart jars). Rinse the seeds thoroughly under running water to remove any debris or dust, by filling the jar with water, placing mesh cover on jar. Then give it a few swirls and drain. Repeat this process two times.

• This next step is optional but I highly recommend – I fill the jar with cool water again and add 1 drop of grapefruit extract. The grapefruit extract acts as a natural cleansing agent for the seeds. After I place a drop in the water, I replace the cover and give it a good swirl and let sit for about 2-3 minutes. Drain and rinse x2.

Soak the Seeds

• Fill the jar again with cold water with cover on and let the seeds soak overnight or for 8-12 hours. * Why with the cover on? By running the water through the mesh top you are catching any seeds that may have become stuck on the cover.

Drain and Rinse

• After soaking, drain and rinse the seeds with fresh cool water, repeat.

Begin Sprouting

• Place the jar at an angle, or upside down, in a dish, dish drainer, or tray to allow for proper drainage and airflow. Place it in a well-lit spot, but not in direct sunlight. Repeat the rinsing and draining process twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. – I keep mine on the kitchen counter where I will see them and will not forget to rinse.

Watch them Grow

• Within a few days, you’ll start to see tiny sprouts emerging from the seeds. Continue rinsing and draining twice daily until the sprouts reach the desired length, usually between 3-6 days depending on the variety.

Harvest

• Once your sprouts are ready, give them a final rinse and drain. I like to let mine soak in a bowl of water so that the non-sprouted seeds rise to the top. Then drain off the seeds. Do this a few times until you have removed enough of the non-sprouted seeds to your satisfaction. Then remove excess moisture by using a salad spinner or laying on a clean dish towel. Enjoy your fresh sprouts!!

The batch shown above is using two 2-quart jars to sprout. The yield is the equivalent to approx 3-4 containers at the grocery store. This batch cost about .75 cents to make. To buy this yield would be about $12-$16. As stated above, it’s significant savings!

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

*After I spin my batch of sprouts in a salad spinner, I will place a paper towel at the bottom of a glass storage container and lay the sprouts on the towel. Then I secure with airtight lid. This helps to keep any additional moisture from pooling at the bottom and keeps them fresh longer.

Tips for Success

• Keep your sprouting jar away from direct sunlight to prevent overheating and mold growth.
• Keep the area you are sprouting clean.
• Rinse the sprouts thoroughly with fresh cool water during each rinsing cycle to prevent bacterial growth. While rinsing each time, give the jar a swirl to help move the seeds again and prevent clumping.
• Experiment with different seed varieties to discover your favorite flavors and textures.
• Clean your sprouting jar thoroughly between each use to prevent contamination – I run my jars through the dishwasher.
• Note – broccoli sprouts will have a tiny white “hairs” sprouts that people often think is mold growing. This is perfectly normal. However, if they sprouts smell foul or pungent, then I would recommend tossing and starting again.
• If at any time there is foul smell coming from the jar. Toss or compost that batch and start again.

What happens if I skip a rinsing?

It is important to keep the seeds hydrated but not drowning, so missing a rinse may mean that you will need to start over. The good thing is seeds are fairly inexpensive. And remember, this is learning process. I’ve had to start over several times in the past as I forgot a rinsing.

How to use your sprouts

Fresh sprouts are generally eaten raw. However, some will sauté them in dishes. 

• Serve on Avocado Toast

• Salads of all kinds

• On sushi, buddha, or poke bowls – check this recipe out ➡️ Tofu Poke Bowl

• In rice dishes – add at the very end of cooking

• Add to sandwiches or wraps

• Put a handful in a smoothie

The options are truly endless!

Nutritional Value of Sprouts

Sprouts are highly nutritious and contain high amounts of vitamins, protein, fiber, beta-carotene, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. 

They enhance brain and heart health.

Broccoli sprouts in particular contain high amounts of sulforaphane which is believed to have significant anti-cancer properties. 

Sprouts are considered by many leading physicians and experts as one of the most “nutrient-dense” foods in the world. – The Sprout Book, Doug Evans.

I highly recommend checking out The Sprout Book by Doug Evans. He does a beautiful job explaining all types of sprouts and how to cultivate the various types right in your kitchen. He also explains the incredible benefit of sprouts in great detail.

Conclusion

Growing sprouts in a jar is a simple and rewarding way to add fresh, nutritious greens year-round. With just a few basic materials and a little bit of patience, you can enjoy a continuous supply of homegrown sprouts that are bursting with flavor and nutrients.

If you visit our home, you will always find a jar of sprouts in various stages of sprouting on our kitchen counter. Please comment below if you enjoy sprouting or if you have any questions! Would love to hear from you!

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