Short answer: put 1 to 2 tablespoons of small seed, or ½ cup of beans, in a wide-mouth mason jar with a mesh lid. Step 1: soak it in cool water for the time your seed needs. Step 2: drain well and rest the jar upside down at an angle. Step 3: rinse and drain twice a day until the sprouts are ready, usually in 2 to 5 days.
Best seeds for sprouting in a jar: beginner cheat sheet
The Microgreens & Sprouts Seed Library lists soak, rinse and harvest times for 67 seeds. These five are the best seeds for sprouting in a jar if you're a beginner. Start with mung beans or lentils: they are ready in 2 to 3 days and forgive a missed rinse. Add a third rinse if your kitchen is above 80°F (27°C).
| Seed | Seed per quart jar | Soak | Rinse | Ready in | Flavour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mung beans | ½ cup | 6–8 hours | Twice a day | 2–3 days | Fresh, mild, crunchy |
| Lentils | ½ cup | 6–12 hours | Twice a day | 2–3 days | Earthy, crunchy |
| Alfalfa | 1 tbsp | 4–12 hours | Twice a day | 5 days | Mild, grassy |
| Broccoli | 1–2 tbsp | 1–2 hours | Twice a day | 4–5 days | Mild, peppery |
| Radish | 1 tbsp | 4–8 hours | Twice a day | 4–5 days | Hot, peppery |
What you need for sprouting in a mason jar
- A wide-mouth mason jar, 1 quart (1 liter)
- A mesh sprouting lid that fits the jar, or cheesecloth and the jar ring
- Seed sold for sprouting
- A bowl or small rack to hold the jar upside down
Step 1: Soak
Put the seed in the jar, screw on the lid and rinse once. Then fill the jar about two-thirds with cool water and leave it to soak.
Use the amount and soak time from the jar sprouting cheat sheet above.
Step 2: Drain
Pour the water out through the mesh lid. Tap the jar against your hand, turn it and tap again until it stops dripping. Then rest it upside down at an angle in a bowl, out of direct sun. Air needs to reach the seeds, and water needs a way out.
Step 3: Rinse twice a day
Morning and evening, fill the jar with cool water and swirl it. Then drain it the same way and put it back at an angle. In a hot kitchen, rinse three times a day.
That's the whole routine. Your sprouts are ready when:
- Beans and lentils have tails about as long as the bean (2 to 3 days).
- Small seeds have opened their small leaves (4 to 5 days).
Give them a final rinse, let them dry for a few hours, and store them in the fridge.
Less seed is better. Seeds swell many times their size. Too much seed packs the jar, traps water and makes the batch go sour. Start small.
Mason jar sprouting tips
- Roll the jar. For small seeds like alfalfa, roll the jar after rinsing so sprouts spread along the glass.
- Keep bean sprouts dark. Cover the jar with a tea towel for mung beans.
- Green them up. Leafy sprouts can sit near a bright window for a few hours on the last day.
- Wash between batches. Clean the jar and lid in hot, soapy water each time.
When a mason jar isn't the best choice
Gel-forming seeds like chia, basil and cress turn sticky and clump in a jar. Grow them on a plate or tray instead. For big batches of small seeds, a tray sprouter gives better airflow. See best sprouter: jars vs trays vs towers.
Safety
Raw sprouts can carry bacteria. The FDA says higher-risk groups should not eat raw sprouts, and Health Canada advises everyone to cook them.12 Use seed sold for sprouting, keep the jar clean, drain well and refrigerate promptly.
For the full method, troubleshooting and soak times for every seed, read the step-by-step sprouting guide.
Seeds in this article
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow sprouts in a mason jar with a mesh lid?
Put 1 to 2 tablespoons of small seed, or ½ cup of beans, in a clean quart jar. Screw on the mesh lid, rinse once, then soak in cool water for your seed's soak time. Drain well and rest the jar upside down at an angle in a bowl. Rinse and drain twice a day. Most sprouts are ready in 2 to 5 days. Dry them, then refrigerate.
What size mason jar is best for sprouting?
A wide-mouth quart (1 liter) jar suits most sprouts. The wide opening drains faster and makes it easy to get the sprouts out. Use a half-gallon (2 liter) jar for larger batches of beans.
What lid do I use for sprouting in a mason jar?
A mesh sprouting lid that screws onto the jar. Stainless steel or plastic both work. If you don't have one, a piece of cheesecloth held on with the jar ring or a rubber band works too.
How much seed goes in a mason jar?
For a quart jar, use 1 to 2 tablespoons of small seeds like alfalfa, broccoli or radish, or about ½ cup of beans or lentils. Seeds swell a lot, so less is better.
Should the jar be upside down?
Yes. Rest it upside down at an angle in a bowl or on a stand so water drains out and air can get in. A jar standing upright collects water at the bottom, which spoils sprouts.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
