Learn how to sprout beans easily at home with this step-by-step guide. Sprouted beans are nutritious and can be used in salads, sandwiches, curries, and many more.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 480 minutes
  • Cook time: Not specified
  • Total time: 1920 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: meal preparation
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mung beans
  • 2 cups water (for soaking)

Method

Step 1: Rinse And Soak

  1. Rinse the moong beans thoroughly in cold water and remove any debris or damaged beans.
  2. Transfer the rinsed moong beans to a large bowl and add 2-3 cups of filtered water to cover the beans by about two inches. Soak them for at least 8-12 hours. Just cover the beans with a thin kitchen towel. Do not cover the beans with a lid, as they may develop an odor.
  3. After the soaking period, the beans would have doubled in size. Discard the water and rinse the moong beans again under running water and drain the water using a strainer or colander.

Step 2: Sprouting Moong Beans in a Cheesecloth

  1. Placing the soaked beans on a cheesecloth or muslin cloth.
  2. Gather all the edges of the cloth together and tie the ends securely to form a bundle. Then, place the bundle in a clean bowl or colander.
  3. Store them in a warm, dark place away from direct sunlight. Normally, I keep them in my oven with lights on for warmth or in an Instant Pot with "Yogurt mode" on.
  4. Beans will start to sprout in 12 hours, and this is how it looks, with small roots emerging from the bean. The exact timing of sprouting can vary depending on factors such as the type of bean, temperature, and moisture levels. Sprouting takes longer in Winter than in Summer. Note: It's important to maintain moisture in the cloth while sprouting. If you notice that the kitchen napkin has become dry after a day or two, sprinkle some filtered water over it lightly.
  5. You can allow the moong beans to continue sprouting for another day or two to achieve longer sprouts. This is how it looks within 24 hours with a ½-inch long tail.

Sprouting Beans using Instant Pot

  1. Another option for sprouting is using an Instant Pot. Wrap the beans in cheesecloth and place them in a bowl on the trivet in the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to the "Yogurt" or "Keep Warm" setting and allow the beans to sit for 8-12 hours. You will see mung beans sprouting. Continue sprouting for another day to achieve longer sprouts.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.