How to Grow Broccoli Sprouts (2024)

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can easily learn how to grow broccoli sprouts from broccoli seeds. Broccoli sprouts do not come from a regular head of mature broccoli, but they are sprouted from broccoli seeds.

In this article, I’ll share my step-by-step guide and exclusive tips for growing this healthy food at home in a matter of a few days.

Equipment You’ll Need

• After you have soaked the seeds, it’s time to rinse them in cool water and drain them well.
• For the next 48 hours, you’ll need to keep the sprouts in a cool, dark place, such as a dark pantry or a kitchen cabinet. Store the jar upside down so any excess water can drain from the sprouting vessel to prevent mold or mildew.
• For every day until you harvest the sprouted broccoli seeds, you’ll need to rinse the sprouts at least 3 times a day with fresh water. Don’t skip this step as this is what keeps the sprouts from going bad.

Step Four: Harvest the Sprouts

• Once the sprouts have reached about a half-inch to full-inch in length, it’s time to move the sprouting vessel out of the dark and expose it to some sun. This will be around day 4 or 5 of the sprouting process.
• We don’t want to put the vessel in direct sunlight, but just in some nice indirect light for about 12 more hours. This will help develop the lovely green color that fresh and healthy sprouts should have.
• By day 5, they should be fully grown and nice and green. All you have to do to harvest them is give them one really good final rinse and transfer them to a glass bowl with a lid (or any other airtight container). You can also dry them in a salad spinner or pat them dry with a paper towel.
• Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 more days.
• One to two tablespoons of broccoli seeds will yield about one cup of broccoli sprouts.

Sprouting Tips

• Taking into account both the soaking time (12 hours) and sprouting time (3 days), allow for a total of about 3 1/2 – 5 days days total to grow and harvest your broccoli sprouts.
• Freshly harvested broccoli sprouts will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 5-7 days.
• Not all seeds are appropriate for sprouting. Be sure to buy seeds that are labeled “for sprouting,” including any type of alfalfa sprouts or bean sprouts.
• There is a small chance that you can grow mold during the sprouting process. Sprouts should smell fresh and should not be “stinky” at all. If in doubt, don’t eat them. And, pregnant women and anyone with an immunocompromised system should be cautious about consuming raw broccoli sprouts due to the risk of e. coli. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions.

Broccoli sprouts contain sulphoraphane that has research behind it showing its cancer-fighting properties including against breast cancer, H. pylori, inflammation, and more.

Sulphoraphane is a powerful antioxidant that we should be consuming as often as possible from a variety of cruciferous vegetables. Antioxidants are great for the immune system and for reducing oxidative stress, risk of cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Getting the health benefits from cruciferous veggies through consuming organic broccoli sprouts is an easy nutrition hack. See my full green vegetables list.

What is the white fuzz that looks like mold?

How long does it take to grow broccoli sprouts?

How long do the sprouts last after they’re finished growing?

You can keep them in the fridge for about a week after you harvest them.

What do broccoli sprouts taste like?

They are slightly spicy but they don’t have a super strong flavor. Check out my list of ways to eat broccoli sprouts.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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