How do you make lentil sprouts? Rinse ⅓–1 cup of whole lentils, soak them in cool water for 8–12 hours, then drain. Rinse and drain every 8–12 hours in a jar kept out of direct sun. Lentil sprouts are ready in about 2–3 days, when most have roots about ¼ inch (6 mm) long. Drain well and refrigerate.
Key takeaway: Lentil sprouts are among the fastest, easiest sprouts to grow. Use whole lentils (not split), harvest short for the best crunch, and treat them like other raw sprouts for food safety. Cooking them briefly is the safest choice for higher-risk eaters.
| Lentil sprouts step | Guideline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Whole lentils; ⅓–1 cup per sprouter | Sprout People |
| Soak | 8–12 hours in 2–3× as much cool water | Sprout People |
| Rinse/drain | Every 8–12 hours | Sprout People, USask |
| Light | Not needed; keep out of direct sun | Sprout People |
| Harvest | Day 2–3; roots about ¼ in (6 mm) | Sprout People |
| Yield | About 2:1 by weight | Sprout People |
What Are Lentil Sprouts?
Lentil sprouts are whole lentils that have soaked and begun to germinate, showing a short white root. Sprout People calls them crunchy, sweet and slightly peppery, and suggests eating them in salads, with dressings or cooked in soup. The University of Saskatchewan lists lentils among good sprouting seeds, and they are one of the quickest legume sprouts to grow.
Which Lentils Can You Sprout?
Use whole lentils with the seed coat intact. Green, brown, black (beluga) and French green lentils all sprout well. Split red or yellow lentils have been hulled and halved, so the embryo is damaged and they will not sprout. Sprout People notes large green lentils are the most common, easy to grow and the least expensive. For food safety, UC ANR recommends seed sold for sprouting; if you use grocery lentils, pick fresh, clean, whole ones and skim off broken seeds.
How Do You Sprout Lentils Step by Step?
- Sanitize your jar and mesh lid, as UC ANR describes.
- Measure ½ cup of lentils for a quart (1 L) jar; Sprout People says this yields about 1 cup (½ lb) of sprouts.
- Rinse to remove dust and debris, and pick out stones.
- Soak 8–12 hours in 2–3 times as much cool water. Never soak again.
- Drain and rinse thoroughly with cool water.
- Rest the jar tilted mouth-down, out of direct sun, at room temperature.
- Rinse and drain every 8–12 hours for 1–3 days.
- Harvest when most roots are about ¼ inch (6 mm) long.
- Dry and refrigerate 8–12 hours after the last rinse.
New to jars? Read how to grow sprouts in a jar.
How Long Do Lentil Sprouts Take?
Usually 2–3 days. Sprout People counts from the end of the soak and says a crop of bean sprouts usually takes 1–2 days after soaking, with 2–4 rinse cycles. You can stop as early as the first day for tiny tails or go another 12 hours for longer roots. Warmer rooms sprout faster; Sprout People calls about 70°F (21°C) optimal.
| Time after soak | What you see | Task |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours | Swollen seeds, tiny tips | Rinse and drain |
| 24 hours | Short white roots | Taste; harvest if you like |
| 36–48 hours | Roots about ¼ in (6 mm) | Final rinse, drain, dry |
Can You Sprout Lentils Without a Jar?
Yes. Lentils are forgiving, so a fine-mesh colander or strainer set over a bowl works well. Spread the soaked lentils in a shallow layer, cover loosely with a clean, damp towel to slow drying, and rinse under the tap every 8–12 hours, letting them drain fully in the strainer. Tray sprouters with stacked, drained levels also work and give more room than a crowded jar. Whatever you use, Sprout People’s rule holds: rinse well, but focus even more on draining.
How Do Lentil Sprouts Compare With Other Legume Sprouts?
Lentils are among the quickest legumes. The University of Saskatchewan suggests soaking peas and beans about 12 hours, similar to lentils, but larger seeds such as chickpeas or soybeans take longer to sprout and are usually cooked before eating. Virginia Tech Extension’s general guide says most sprouts are ready in 3–6 days, while lentils often finish sooner because they are best eaten with short tails. Their small size also means they drain more easily than big beans, which helps prevent sour batches.
Want leafy greens instead? Grow seeds on a tray under light with our hydroponic microgreens guide.
Do Lentil Sprouts Need Light?
No. Sprout People explains that bean sprouts never form leaves during sprouting, so light has little effect. Room light or indirect light is fine; just avoid direct sun, which heats the jar. Keep air moving around the sprouter, because sprouts like air circulation.
Are Lentil Sprouts Safe to Eat Raw?
Lentil sprouts carry the same food-safety risks as other raw sprouts. The FDA explains that the warm, humid conditions needed for sprouting also suit bacteria, and advises children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system to avoid raw or lightly cooked sprouts.
- Heat-treat seed: UC ANR describes 5 minutes in 3% hydrogen peroxide preheated to 140°F (60°C), then a 1-minute rinse.
- Skim floaters during the soak; UC ANR links them to most contamination.
- Cook them to 165°F (74°C) for higher-risk eaters, as UC ANR advises.
- Discard any batch that smells sour or feels slimy.
How Do You Store Lentil Sprouts?
Let them drain for 8–12 hours after the final rinse so they are dry to the touch, then refrigerate in a sealed bag or container. Sprout People says bean sprouts are best eaten within a week. Virginia Tech Extension notes large-seeded sprouts are best within 3–4 days, so eat them early for best quality. NC State suggests a fridge at 38–50°F (3–10°C).
How Do You Eat Lentil Sprouts?
- Salads and grain bowls for crunch.
- Soups and dals: stir in for the last few minutes.
- Stir-fries with garlic and greens.
- Wraps and sandwiches if you are not in a higher-risk group.
- Sprouted lentil curry or salads with lemon and spices.
Why Did My Lentils Not Sprout?
- Split lentils: only whole seeds sprout.
- Old stock: germination drops with age; Sprout People lists a 5-year seed shelf life when stored cool and dry.
- Too cold: move the jar somewhere near 70°F (21°C).
- Standing water: drain more thoroughly.
- Overfilled jar: Sprout People suggests filling only ¼–⅓ of the sprouter when you start.
FAQs
Can I sprout red lentils?
Only whole red lentils; split ones will not sprout.
Do lentil sprouts taste bitter?
No. They taste mild, sweet and slightly peppery when short.
Can I mix lentils with other beans?
Yes, but harvest when about 70% look ready, as Sprout People suggests for mixes.
Should I cook lentil sprouts?
Brief cooking lowers food-safety risk and suits soups and stir-fries.
Can I grow them into microgreens?
Yes, on a tray under light, though peas are more common.
Sources
- Sprout People — Large Green Lentil Sprouts growing guide
- UC ANR — Growing Seed Sprouts at Home (Publication 8151)
- U.S. FDA — Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
- NC State Extension — Bean Sprouts and Other Vegetable Seed Sprouts
- Virginia Cooperative Extension — Sprouting Seeds for Food
- University of Saskatchewan — Sprouts
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Lentil sprouts 01 by L Maule (CC0); Lentil sprouts 01 by L Maule (CC0); Growing bean sprouts by User:tlcoles (CC BY-SA 3.0); Growing bean sprouts by User:tlcoles (CC BY-SA 3.0); Salad, Romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, green pepper, radish, alfalfa sprouts, black olives, lemon juice, salt & olive oil (7765310086) by Lablascovegmenu from London (CC BY 2.0)