How to Grow Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli Sprouts are one of the easiest foods you can possibly grow. You don’t need any access to the outdoors or land at all! Requiring just three simple items in addition to water, you’ll see just how simple it is to grow these tiny flavorful treats. Broccoli Sprouts are basically just the germinated seeds of the broccoli plant. They are packed full of nutrients – so much so that many will call them a superfood!

The Benefits of Broccoli Sprouts

So why would you want to grow broccoli sprouts to begin with? Well first of all, they’re delicious. They provide the perfect crunch to so many dishes, and they boast an earthy, slightly spicy, radish like flavor. But beyond the excellent flavor they provide is the nutritional benefit of consuming broccoli sprouts. Broccoli Sprouts contain high amounts of a number of vitamins including vitamins A and C. In addition, they are packed with fiber. They are also a great source of calcium and iron.

In addition, broccoli sprouts are loaded with the compound sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is a compound that is produced through the human consumption of cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli sprouts are one cruciferous vegetable that contains astounding amounts of this compound. Sulforaphane can neutralize toxins in the body and can help to calm inflammation. Because of this broccoli sprouts have been named an anti-cancer and ant-inflammatory superfood.

With such an array of health benefits, it’s no wonder that broccoli sprouts are gaining popularity. In addition to being so very tasty, and so very beneficial, broccoli sprouts are incredibly fun to grow. Requiring only a few items and 4-6 days, this is an excellent veggie to grow just to have these tiny powerful superfood plants on hand. In addition, it can be a fun project to do with your kiddos as they basically grow right before your eyes!

Supplies Needed

To grow your own broccoli sprouts, you will only need a few items.

1. Mason Jar
2. Sprouting Lid
3. Broccoli Seeds
4. Bowl
5. Water

You can find links for mason jars, sprouting lids, and broccoli seeds at the end of this post.

The mason jar will serve as your growing container. By the time the broccoli sprouts are ready to eat, your quart sized mason jar will be almost full of sprouts.

The sprouting lid serves as a type of strainer to allow all the water to drain out of the broccoli sprouts. This is necessary as leaving too much water in your growing sprouts could cause them to mold.

It is important to purchase broccoli seeds specifically labeled “for sprouting” as you may not receive the desired result with regular broccoli seeds.

Step By Step Process

Now that you have your supplies list, lets go over the step by step process for growing broccoli sprouts.

1. Wash and thoroughly rinse your mason jar and sprouting lid.
2. Add 2 Tablespoons of sprouting seeds to your mason jar and fill the jar about half way with clean cool water.
3. Allow the jar to set on the counter for 24 hours.
4. After 24 hours has passed, drain the water from the seeds through the sprouting lid already placed on the jar and turn the jar upside down into a bowl to drain.
5. Over the next 4-5 days, rinse your sprouts with cool clean water by pouring water into the jar, swirling it around in the jar several times, and pouring the water out. After rinsing turn the jar upside down into the bowl again to thoroughly drain. Rinse the sprouts one-two times each day.
6. When the sprouts have almost filled the mason jar, they are ready to remove. Take the sprouts out of the jar and begin to separate them. (They will be matted together).
7. Place the sprouts in direct sunlight for about an hour to develop their green color evenly.
8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to seven days or consume right away.

*If you wish to make a smaller amount, you could use a wide mouth pint jar and only 1 Tablespoon of sprouts.

How to Use Your Broccoli Sprouts

Now that you’ve grown these delicious broccoli sprouts, you may be wondering how to use them. Well this part is certainly up to your own creativity and taste, but here are a few suggestions! Broccoli sprouts make a wonderful addition to sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Use them as a topping for a salad. They pair very well with a fresh garden salad and a vinaigrette dressing. Or use them on a wrap or a sandwich either in addition to fresh greens or as a replacement for the greens. Either way they perfectly compliment your favorite wrap/sandwich recipe. A personal favorite however is a to use this superfood as a topping over chicken, beef, venison, or fish. The flavor pairs beautifully with many types of meat, and the heat from the cooked meat slightly softens the crunch. Whichever way you choose to enjoy your broccoli sprouts will undoubtedly be delicious!

If you decide to grow your own broccoli sprouts, be sure to tag us in a post Instagram or Facebook @almostheavenhomesteading

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Please be sure to leave a comment letting us know if you found this helpful, and let us know your favorite way to eat broccoli sprouts!

You can purchase the supplies needed to start growing your own broccoli sprouts using the links below!

Broccoli Seeds

Sprouting Lids

Mason Jars

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