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Bean Sprout Substitutes: 10 Delicious Alternatives

bean sprout substituteBean sprouts add a crunchy texture and fresh flavor to many dishes. However, if you don’t have any on hand or they’re out of season, here are some substitutes that will work in most recipes.

It can be difficult to find a substitute for bean sprouts that will work in every recipe. They have a nutty flavor and slightly crisp texture that is somewhat unique. There are a few substitutes if you can’t find them in the supermarket, though not every recipe will work with these substitutes.

Bean sprouts are made from raw mung beans. Although you can use other types of beans to make your own bean sprout substitutes, mung beans are the most common type used because they have very high germination rates and grow easily.

Bean Sprout Substitutes

Here are some of the best bean sprout substitutes to use when you can’t find them in the supermarket. Here are some of the best substitutes:

Bok Choy: These vegetables have a similar crunchy texture and flavor to bean sprouts.

Celery: Celery is another crunchy vegetable that has a mild flavor.

Radishes: Radishes are spicy and flavorful, making them a good substitution for bean sprouts in dishes with strong flavors.

Shredded Carrots: Shredded carrots add sweetness

Snow Peas or Snap Peas: Snow peas have a similar crunchy texture to bean sprouts and also add a fresh flavor. These vegetables are also crunchy and have a mildly sweet taste.

Shredded Cabbage: Shredded cabbage has a slightly different flavor than bean sprouts, but it still adds a crunchy texture to dishes.

Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower seeds have a slightly nutty flavor and also add a crunchy texture to dishes.

Pickled Ginger: Pickled ginger has a slightly sour and tangy flavor that can add complexity to dishes.

Bell Peppers: Bell peppers have a slightly sweet flavor that will complement many dishes.

Green Onion: Green onion has a mild flavor and can be used in many dishes.

How Do You Grow Bean Sprouts?

There are two main methods used to grow bean sprouts: dry and wet. Dry sprouting is done by letting the seeds germinate in a dark, warm place for about three days. Wet sprouting is done by adding the beans to a container filled with water and keeping them under indirect sunlight while they’re growing.

Dry bean sprouts should be rinsed once or twice each day and kept moist during germination. They will usually reach their maximum height (about 2 inches) after two days and then start to develop roots. At this point, you can harvest them by cutting off the leaves just above the top of the root so that only roots are left below.[2]

Wet sprouts take four or five days before they can be harvested and won’t grow as tall as dry sprouts. The advantage of growing wet bean sprouts is that they will have more leaves, making them better for salads or adding to other dishes.

How to Cook Bean Sprouts?

Bean sprouts can be cooked in a variety of ways, but most people just eat them raw. They can be added to salads, stir-frys, sandwiches, or soup.

When cooking bean sprouts, you should always rinse them first to remove any dirt or sand. You can then cook them in a variety of ways:

Boiling: Boil the bean sprouts for two minutes and then drain them.

Stir-Frying: Add the bean sprouts to a hot wok or frying pan and stir-fry for two minutes.

Steaming: Place the sprouts in a steamer and steam them for four to five minutes.

Deep Frying: Dip the bean sprouts in breadcrumbs and deep-fry them in oil until they’re golden brown.

Microwaving: Place the sprouts on a microwave-safe dish and cook them on high for one minute.

Bean Sprout Substitute: Final Thoughts

Bean sprouts are made from raw mung beans. Although you can use other types of beans to make your own bean sprout substitutes, mung beans are the most common type used because they have very high germination rates and grow easily.

If you can’t find bean sprouts in the supermarket, you can substitute bok choy, celery, radishes, shredded carrots, snow peas or snap peas, shredded cabbage, sunflower seeds, pickled ginger, bell peppers, and green onion.

To grow your own bean sprouts at home use either dry or wet methods. Dry sprouting is done by letting the seeds germinate in a dark and warm place for about three days while wet sprouting is done by adding the beans to a container filled with water and keeping them under indirect sunlight while they’re growing.

Bean sprouts can be cooked before eating such as boiling, stir-frying, and deep-frying but they are most commonly eaten raw.