DIY: Alfalfa Sprouts

Buying sprouts at the grocery store can be a little pricey, especially if you like to eat them often.  But buying the seeds and sprouting them on your own is a whole different story - it's so much cheaper and so easy and they taste so fresh and produce so much!  It only takes 4 days!  If you like to eat sprouts there is no reason you shouldn't make them on your own.  Let me show you how easy (and I think fun) it is...

What you need:

1 wide mouth Mason jar (the larger size - around 24 ounces)

1 wide mouth lid with little holes - I love this one.

Alfalfa Seeds - I have had a great experience with Todd's seeds.  Love them!

Here's the lid I use and love:

You will be rinsing and draining the seeds every morning and evening.  Some people use mesh lids but I don't like messing with metal because of rust and it being so hard to clean.  This lid is perfect - seeds don't fall through the holes, and it washes beautifully.  Well worth the $6 on Amazon.

Step-by-Step Tutorial...

Step 1: Soak 2 tablespoons of Alfalfa seeds in water for at least 8 hours.  I normally start in the morning, but if you start in the evening then allow them to soak overnight.  

Step 2: After you allow the seeds to soak for 8 hours (or overnight), drain out the water and shake out any excess water, but you don't have to go too crazy.  Then rest the jar on a towel and allow the rest of the water to drain out by itself.

(Day 1)

Now you will rinse the seeds once every evening and once every morning.  In between you just let the jar rest on a towel and the seeds will do their magic.

(Day 2)

(Day 3)

(Day 4... All done!)

A few hours before I take my sprouts out I like to lean them against a window to allow some sunlight on them.  I think it helps give them a nice greener color.  You'll be impressed and amazed at how many sprouts come from just 2 tablespoons of seeds.  

Enjoy them on your salads, sandwiches, or a snack all by themselves!  Packed with so many good vitamins and minerals - you'll be so happy you've started doing this!