How to Soak and Sprout Beans
Soaking and sprouting beans can improve their nutritional value, so it is worth the time and effort to do so. However, the technique can vary based on the season. An overnight soak might be sufficient in warmer months to encourage beans to sprout, but it might take a two-step process and a few days longer in the cooler months.
Servings: 8
Equipment
- Colander or large strainer
Ingredients
- 2 cups Beans any variety
- 1 Filtered water sufficient to cover beans
Instructions
- Place the beans in a bowl.
- Pour water over the beans sufficiently to cover them.
- Allow the beans to soak in filtered water overnight.
- In the warmer months, the beans should begin to show sprouts within 12 hours. If not, place the beans in a colander and place the colander over a bowl. Moisten beans with filtered water twice per day to keep them moist. If fresh, the beans should sprout within 24 hours. If the beans are not fresh, they may not sprout. Leaving them in the colander longer may result in molding or spoiling due to a warmer kitchen in warmer months. You can try to cook the beans, but they may not soften because they are not fresh.
- In the cooler months, you can leave the beans in the colander and continue to moisten them with filtered water twice daily. They should sprout within four days. If not, they are not fresh. As stated above, you can try to cook them, but they may not soften because they are not fresh.
- Once the beans have sprouted, they are ready to cook.
Video
Notes
Soak your sprouted beans a second time before cooking. After the beans have sprouted, soak them overnight in a salty brine. Be sure to rinse them well before cooking. The salty brine will impart a nice flavor, but will not prevent the beans from softening, as is the case if you salt the water in which the beans are cooked.
Dried beans in the grocery store will only sprout if they are fresh. The longer beans sit in your pantry or grocery store shelf, the more they lose some of their freshness. This means they may not sprout and, when cooked, may take longer to soften, or they might not soften at all.
The weather affects the outcome of sprouting your beans. Be sure to check for tips for sprouting in different weather conditions in this recipe post.
Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/how-to-soak-and-sprout-beans-techniques-for-seasonal-differences/
For more traditional foods recipes and a guide to build your traditional foods kitchen, get my bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, at https://marysnest.com/my-cookbook/
Free and comprehensive lesson plans to teach traditional food recipes and kitchen techniques to students K-12, download The Modern Pioneer Cookbook Curriculum at https://marysnest.com/cookbook-curriculum/
Copyright © 2018 Mary's Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 645mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg
QR code
Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.
