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Home » From Scratch » How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts

How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts

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November 2, 2020 by Victoria Leave a Comment

Growing sprouts at home is actually extremely simple with a few supplies. It only takes 5-7 days to have fresh homegrown sprouts at home! In this post I will show you how to grow alfalfa sprouts, but you can do this with broccoli sprouts, mung bean spouts, or any other type of sprouts!

Mature alfalfa sprouts in a mason jar

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Learning how to grow sprouts has always been something that I wanted to add to my cooking and gardening repertoire! However, with so many other things going on in the kitchen (making sourdough, canning, and making everything from scratch) I just wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep up with yet other thing.

But I was craving alfalfa sprouts SO badly recently, that I knew I needed to bite the bullet and make learning to grow sprouts a priority.

How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts (or any kind of sprouts)

Since we grow most of our own food, I'm well aware of how plants grow. But growing sprouts inside seemed like it would take a lot of room, a lot of effort, and just didn't seem feasible in my tiny house.

However, I knew that sprouts were so good for you and really wanted to make them a staple of our diet. With them out of the grocery stores now for years, it was time to make it happen, even if it was going to be a lot of effort. 

Much to my delight, I was totally wrong about the effort involved!!

With a quart mason jar, 2 tablespoons of seeds, and a sprouting lid and stand set in hand, I was able to easily and successfully add homegrown sprouts to my routine!

You'll Need:

✅ 1 wide mouth quart mason jar and ring (not the lid, just the ring)
✅ Bulk seeds for sprouting. We are using these non-GMO seeds and they are AMAZING!
✅ A sprouting lid that will fit a wide mouth canning jar. We use this lid and stand set!
✅ Filtered water

Alfalfa seeds in a mason jar and covered with water

Step One:

Measure 2 tablespoons of seeds into the mason jar. Cover the seeds with 2 inches of water and swirl them around in the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds.

Add the sprouting lid and ring, then set the jar upright in a dark place for 24 hours.

Step Two:

Drain the water from the seeds, add more filtered water and rinse water vigorously. Drain, and set the jar upside down on the stand.

By day 2, you should be seeing a bunch of little sprout tails!

2 day old alfalfa sprouts with tails in mason jar

Repeat this process morning and night until the sprouts are 2 inches long (about 5-7 days from the start).

Step Three:

Rinse with filtered water and drain sprouts. Then place in a sunny location until the leaves turn bright green - about 12-24 hours at most.

NOTE: Don't leave them in the sun too long (several days) or they will turn bitter.

Step Four:

Remove sprouts from jar and place in a large bowl. Rinse with filtered water to remove the hulls, you may have to rinse and drain multiple times to them all to be gone.

finished alfalfa sprouts in a glass bowl

I don't mind the hulls, but some do, so rinse to your preference!

Step Five:

Pat sprouts dry with a towel and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!

finished alfalfa sprouts drying on a towel

How to Eat Sprouts

I love sprouts plain, so I just like to eat them by themselves as a snack throughout the day. We also add them to salads, wraps, and sandwiches!

Here are a few ideas for using sprouts in your meal planning!

  • Toss them into a salad. My favorite combo is chopped romaine, tomatoes, LOTS of sprouts, shredded carrots, boiled eggs, mixed nuts, and homemade ranch dressing.
  • Add them to sandwiches. A family fav is a grilled veggie sandwich with avocadoes, lettuce, tomatoes, and a PILE of sprouts with garlic mayo on homemade einkorn bread! 
  • Add them to wraps. Use these homemade tortillas to make a turkey and bacon wrap, with lettuce, sprouts, avocadoes, and a dash of Cajun seasoning! 
  • Have them on their own. Out of time? Just grab a handful and crunch away! Get the goodness of sprouts and move on with the day!

Even More Scratch Recipes You May Enjoy:

  • 2 Minute Homemade Ranch Dressing
  • Easy Homemade Guacamole
  • How to Make Mayonnaise
finished alfalfa sprouts in a glass bowl

How to Grow Sprouts

Learn how to grow alfalfa sprouts at home. You can also use this method for growing broccoli sprouts, mung bean spouts, or any other type of sprouts!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Alfalfa Sprouts, Growing Sprouts at Home, How to Grow Sprouts
Prep Time: 15 minutes
4 days
Total Time: 4 days 15 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 8kcal

Ingredients

Equipment

  • 1 wide mouth quart mason jar and ring (not the lid, just the ring)
  • 1 A sprouting lid that will fit a wide mouth canning jar. We use this lid and stand set

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp alfalfa seeds We are using these non-GMO seeds and they are AMAZING!
  • filtered water

Instructions

  • Measure 2 tablespoons of seeds into the mason jar. Cover the seeds with 2 inches of water and swirl them around in the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the sprouting lid and ring, then set the jar upright in a dark place for 24 hours.
  • Drain the water from the seeds, add more filtered water and rinse water vigorously. Drain, and set the jar upside down on the stand.
  • Repeat this process morning and night until the sprouts are 2 inches long (about 5-7 days from the start).
  • Rinse with filtered water and drain sprouts. Then place in a sunny location until the leaves turn bright green - about 12-24 hours at most.
    NOTE: Don't leave them in the sun too long (several days) or they will turn bitter.
  • Remove sprouts from jar and place in a large bowl. Rinse with filtered water to remove the hulls, you may have to rinse and drain multiple times to them all to be gone.
    I don't mind the hulls, but some do, so rinse to your preference!
  • Pat sprouts dry with a towel and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Grow Sprouts
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cup)
Calories 8 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 2mg0%
Potassium 26mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 51IU1%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @AModHomestead or tag ##amodernhomestead!

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Filed Under: All Posts, Featured Recipes, Food Hacks, From Scratch, GAPS Diet Info, Gut Healing Recipes Tagged With: Clean Eating, Cooking, Dinner, From scratch, Frugal Living, Homestead Pantry, Paleo, Saving Money, Snack

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Hi there! I’m Victoria – a work at home mom to an active 4 year old, homesteader, from scratch chef, and full time blogger!
Here you will find delicious real food recipes, canning and gardening help, frugal living tips, and more! Learn more about our story here!

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