I've spent so much money buying alfalfa sprouts from the grocery stores without realizing how easy it is to grow them in a jar at home in a matter of days! Growing sprouts and microgreens at home are just as easy! All you need is alfalfa or radish sprouting seeds, glass mason jars, a rubber band and a cheesecloth!
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How To Grow Alfalfa Sprouts
During this time, we spent more at home. We've started growing our own food in our little backyard garden and cooking more. We've limited our trips to the grocery store with high-quality contactless food deliveries.
Nonetheless, we were still growing our own alfalfa sprouts and learning how to eat radish sprouts because we loved the taste of fresh crunchy sprouts in our salads and sandwiches - like this smoked salmon sandwich with dill cream cheese!
Each little package of local health food store bought alfalfa sprouts costs around C$8 - it is really, really expensive!
Sprouting your own seeds at home is very simple and economical! It is not complicated at all!
In fact, a half-pound bag of organic alfalfa sprouting seeds only costs around C$18 to $20. All you need for each use is around a tablespoon of seeds like alfalfa sprouting seeds or organic radish sprouting seeds!
This is much more economical and tastes just as delicious! Now I know exactly what I put in growing my sprouts - organic sprouting seeds and water! That's it! No pesticides or harmful chemicals!
Health Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts Nutrition
- Sprouts are also a nutrient-dense food
- Lower cholesterol and blood sugar control
- A high content of antioxidants
- Vitamin C and K, copper, folate and magnesium
- Aids digestion and bowel movements
- Fresh sprouts are an excellent immune system booster.
- High in amino acids
Have you tried alfalfa supplements? I find this one to be the best alfalfa supplement!
How to Grow Organic Sprouts Safely at Home
Are sprouting seeds at home safe? Growing organic sprouting seeds at home is easy. Alfalfa seeds are one of the fastest and easiest seeds to sprout.
If you are a first-timer, I recommend you start with alfalfa seeds or radish seeds - they are the best seeds for sprouting! Of course, you can try other microgreen non-GMO seeds like Mumm's organic spring mix, broccoli sprouting seeds, clover sprouting seeds, mustard sprouting seeds, and daikon sprouting seeds, etc.- these are the best sprouts to eat raw.
There are loads of other seeds you can grow aside from alfalfa microgreens. Different types of sprouts seeds taste differently and have different nutritional benefits! I have a few bags of different sprouting seeds that I like to mix my own sprouts blend. You can also buy bulk sprouting seeds from Canada Amazon and deliver them straight to your door!
Sprouting Equipment Required
You don't need fancy equipment or a sprouting kit to sprout at home. You can grow sprouts with just a large mason glass jar, muslin cloth and an elastic band. Personally, I prefer to use a wide mouth mason jar sprouting lid.
You can also use a tiered seed sprouter tray to get really serious! However, growing great nutritious sprouts only requires just a mason jar!
How to Soak & Sprout Nuts, Seeds, Grains, & Beans
Soaking and sprouting are very easy. The method also applies to nuts, seeds, grains and mung beans - the only difference is the time required for full germination changes.
Soak one to two tablespoons of alfalfa seeds overnight in a dark place for the best results. It makes the sprouting process much quicker!
Adding a pinch of sea salt (approximately ½ tsp) will help prevent harmful bacteria from growing on the sprouts!
Add enough water (cool water, not hot water) to the jar. Cover the mouth of the jar with a cheese cloth. Secure the top of the jar with a rubber band. You can also opt to use a sprouting lid or mesh cover.
Please the jar upside facing in a dark location, ex. Underneath the kitchen counter and away from direct or indirect sunlight for the first day. This will jumpstart the sprouting process.
Drain and rinse the alfalfa seeds twice daily - once in the morning and at the end of the day.
After rinsing, drain the excess water from the mason jars through the muslin cloth or sprouting lid while keeping the sprouting tablespoon of alfalfa seeds inside. Do not let the fresh alfalfa sprouts set in inches of cold water. This will spoil it and cause it to mould.
Set it on the side of the jar with indirect sunlight on the kitchen counter or a windowsill.
Repeat this process for a couple of days until it reaches your desired length for harvest.
Give your fresh alfalfa microgreens a final rinse before enjoying them with salads or sandwiches!
Always consume sprouts within a few days. Keep them fresh and store them in the fridge. The shelf life of homegrown sprouts is short.
Sprouts can be subject to contamination and bacterial growth, such as E.coli. If you see any signs of rot, quickly discard them and do not ingest them!
Alfalfa Sprouts Danger
Keep in mind that any fresh produce consumed raw may contain foodborne illness if contaminated.
Moist conditions required to grow sprouts are ideal for bacteria growth. Keep a close eye.
Drain and rinse the sprouts with fresh, cold water twice daily and watch for signs of bacteria growth.
Did you try to grow your own alfalfa sprouts at home? I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS
PrintHow To Grow Alfalfa & Radish Sprouts at Home
I've spent so much money buying alfalfa sprouts from the grocery stores without realizing how easy it is to grow them in a jar at home in a matter of days! Growing sprouts and microgreens at home are just as easy! All you need is alfalfa or radish sprouting seeds, glass mason jars, a rubber band and a cheesecloth!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5 days
- Total Time: 120 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 mason jar 1x
- Category: appetizer, salad
- Method: Sprouting
- Cuisine: raw, vegan, healthy, gluten-free
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp alfalfa sprouting seeds
- sea salt
- water
Instructions
Prep
- Place the alfalfa sprouting seeds in a large mason jar, a pinch of sea salt and cover with 250ml of water.
- Cover the glass jar with a piece of cheesecloth and secure it with an elastic band or use a wide mouth mason jar sprouting lid. Let soak overnight on the countertop.
Every morning and night for about 4 to 5 days
- Drain the water thoroughly out of the mason jar directly thru the cheesecloth or sprouting lid.
- Add about 500ml of fresh water into the jar again and swirl it around.
- Tilt the mason jar and drain the water out as much as possible.
- Leave the mason jar on its side and spread the seeds out as much as possible on the insider surface of the jar.
- Repeat this process every morning and night for the next 4 to 5 days until the sprouts are around 5cm in length.
- Remove the sprouts from the jar and rise thoroughly.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Equipment
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organic radish sprouting seeds
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Buy Now → Notes
- sea salt will help to prevent harmful bacteria from growing on the sprouts
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mason jar
- Calories: 4
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: how to grow alfalfa sprouts at home, how to sprout seeds at home, sprouting radish seeds at home, raw, vegan, healthy, gluten-free, soak and sprout seeds, sprouts salad, sprouts sandwich, raw living, healthy living, sprouts seed kit, seed sprouter, sprouting seeds
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Deb says
I am so happy to have learned how to do this. Can’t wait to start my first batch.
★★★★★
Addie says
Delicious on salad! Thank you!
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Melanie says
Thanks so much for this tutorial! Love it!
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Jacqui says
I really need to start growing my own micro greens - this is such a great help!
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Natalie says
I'm buying alfalfa in stores. But maybe now I'll just make my own sprouts at home. Thanks. Amazing tips.
★★★★★
Linda says
Whoaaa I remember working on this project when I was in school. Can't wait to make this version with added salt
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Jerika says
This is awesome! Thank you for all the tips about Alfalfa Sprouts!:) I can't wait to grow and prepare one and enjoy its wonderful benefits.:)
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Nancy says
enjoy all the fresh sprouting!
Genevieve says
I've always wanted to learn how to grow alfalfa sprouts and now thanks to your guide, I can grow them at home. Thank you!
★★★★★
Nancy says
have fun!!
Andy says
So so helpful! Thanks for this! 🙂
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Nancy says
Thanks Andy!
Katie says
This was so helpful, thank you!
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Nancy says
happy sprouting !
Lindsay says
This is such a helpful article! Going to start asap with my kids.
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Nancy says
they will have so much fun watching it grow!
Susan says
Must try this!
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Nancy says
fail proof!
Megan says
I love growing my own sprouts. I haven't done it in so long. Thanks so much for the prompt to do it and all your helpful tips Nancy.
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Nancy says
Now that the weather is warming up - it's the perfect time to start growing sprouts in a jar at home again! 🙂 enjoy
Jacqui says
So helpful! Thank you so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Nancy says
You're welcome jacqui! enjoy adding this to everything!
Jen says
great to have your own and add on sandwiches
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Nancy says
grow alfalfa sprouts in a jar at home! and never run out!
Anna says
Super useful tips on how to grow sprouts. Thank you for sharing this.
★★★★★
Nancy says
welcome Anna!
Oscar says
Great recipe.
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Nancy says
thanks Oscar
Agnieszka says
Can't wait to try growing my own sprouts! A great project for kids, too!
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Nancy says
the little ones will enjoy this so much! quick reward also 🙂
Alexandra says
So excited to give this a try - I love it!
★★★★★
Nancy says
you'll love it!
Jan says
I always make these
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Nancy says
great choice! save so much money!
Elizabeth says
Oh I love this! I have a similar guide on my blog and I’m so glad to see alfalfa sprouts getting more airtime. :))
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Nancy says
I totally agree! It's so much fun growing this at home!
Oscar says
Great tips, I think I will grow some alfalfa sprouts.
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Nancy says
happy sprouting!
Maya says
I'm honestly terrible with plants but these grow so fast that they're manageable !
★★★★★
Nancy says
it's super easy to grow!
Jamie says
This is such an informative post on growing alfalfa sprouts! I'm looking forward to trying some in my salad!
★★★★★
Nancy says
happy sprouting!
Tavo says
Such a helpful and informative post! I growing my own sprouts!
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Nancy says
enjoy all the microgreens!
Rosanna says
Such a useful post, thank you!
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Nancy says
welcome! enjoy sprouting!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Love this! I was thinking of growing alfalfa sprouts but needed a guide. This is perfect!
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Nancy says
happy sprouting!
Sue says
I've always wanted to try this - thank you for the inspiration! Do you grow bean sprouts too?
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Nancy says
oh yes! been sprouts are fun too but it takes a bit more work!
Gabriela Herrera says
Thank you for simplifiying this process. Growing alfalfa sprouts at home has been a life long goal for me but other recipes would intimidate me.
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Nancy says
hope this makes it easy for everyone!
Jen says
love the benefits of these sprouts and its crazy it costs so much everywhere.
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Nancy says
it's ridiculous how expensive it is in stores!
Shilpa says
Homemade sprouts are the best!
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Nancy says
i always have two jars growing on rotation. never without sprouts!
Jeannie says
that was an easy tutorial and yes wont be buying alfalfa sprouts again.
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Nancy says
enjoy all the added freshness!
Emily Flint says
I'm so glad I found your post! I never knew the trick of adding salt to the water to prevent bacteria, how smart! I will be doing this from now on.
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Nancy says
salt is crucial!
Andrea says
this is so helpful! i'm so excited to grow my own!
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Nancy says
i knew you would enjoy it!
Donny says
You're exactly right - they ARE so expensive which is why I hardly ever buy them. But this was so easy and so good - thanks!
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Nancy says
it was too easy not to share!! We can all save some $$$
Shelby says
Thank you for this breakdown! I have wanted to grow sprouts for EVER but keep thinking it takes so much time. You made it sound so simple I'm totlly going to try this weekend!
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Nancy says
Shelby you gotta try it yourself!!! it's way cheaper and very easy to do!
Terri says
I had no idea how easy this was - I'm totally doing this at home! Thanks for this post.
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Nancy says
good luck! show us your sprout babies! #instanomss
Sharon says
Ok, you have inspired me, girl! I really need to get on this. I LOVE sprouts and if it is this easy, why not? Such a great crunch with a ton of health benefits. 🙂
★★★★★
Nancy says
It is super easy and fail safe!
Vanessa says
Great tutorial! Love how easy it is to sprout your own at home.
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Nancy says
you're so welcome! hope yours turns out great!
Colleen says
We love alfalfa sprouts on sandwiches and salads, but I've never thought about growing them myself. You make it seem so easy that I think I need to try it.
★★★★★
Nancy says
can't wait to see how your's turns out!
Shailaja DESAI says
This is great Nancy! These Alfalfa sprouts are so nutritious and healthy!! We usually follow a similar method to sprout mung beans and various legumes!
Nancy says
Isn't it wonderful and so easy to grow it at home? I love to have these year round!