Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. Updated February, 2021
I love sprouts of all kinds, but in the grocery store, the cost is about $4 for a 4 ounce package – one tiny plastic clamshell. $1 per ounce. I needed sprouts in my life so I ordered my seeds from Amazon, a jar, and a new growing lid. Growing you own sprouts in a jar will yield you 480 ounces for $20 or $0.16 for a 4 ounce package! What a deal! I couldn’t wait so I started with the coffee filter method a few days earlier because my sprouting lid was a couple days behind the seeds from my Amazon shipment. I wanted to know if I could grow good sprouts with what I had on hand. And turns out, I could!
What you’ll need:
- Sprout seeds (I used broccoli Sprouts from Amazon ,pictured, and alfalfa sprouts)
- 32 oz jar
- Growing jar lid (or cheesecloth/coffee filter and a rubber band)
- Water
Rinse Daily. To rinse – use lots of water, pressure is good, and rinse often, 2-3 times per day.
Day 1. Put seeds in the jar to cover bottom – about 2 Tbsp. Soak seeds in order to dissolve the outer enzyme that will allow seed to sprout. Soak the seeds for 8 hours. Tilt jar and drain water through lid. Leave the jar on its side in a well ventilated area. Rinse the seeds 2-3x daily by straining the water out through the coffee filter. Seeds should sprout in 2-5 days.
Day 2. Rinse seeds and strain water. Some seeds are already sprouting!
Day 3. Rinse seeds and strain water. Most are sprouting! Already doubled in size!
Day 4. So many sprouts! Rinse the seeds and strain water. Put in the sun so the leaves turn green. Rinse seeds and strain water.
Day 5. Almost there! Rinsed a bunch. Drain.
Day 6. Rinse the seeds and drain. The sprouts were a little smelly, but smell is normal especially with Broccoli sprouts and it should decrease with last rinse and dry on last day.
Day 7. Rinse really well one final time and lay out to dry. Once dry, place in container and keep in the fridge for a week. The seeds are DONE when the 2 leaves at the top are dark green and the stem is white.
I have grown my own sprouts in jars with coffee filters, cheesecloth, and growing lids. All methods work.
The outcome is that the quality of both methods are equal – the sprouting lid was way easier to deal with when needing to drain.
What are some other seeds that you grow in a jar?
Do you think the steps listed are easy enough for you?
