Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Looking for uses for sprouts? Check out these alfalfa sprouts recipes for the best way to use them in your next meal or snack.
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Uses for Sprouts
Sprouts are a great source of the enzymes we need to stay healthy. So, you may remember my seed sprouting experiment where I made a sprouting jar and sprouted alfalfa seeds.
After four days of rinsing and watching the alfalfa seeds, I finally have a full crop of them in the refrigerator to use.
So, if you’re buying these from the store, you might want to learn how to make your own sprouting jar to save money. They’re really easy to make at home and then you can use them in one of these recipes for alfalfa sprouts.
The next question is, what exactly am I going to do with a full container of these? There are a lot of different things you can do with them including Egg Fu Yung, adding them to sandwiches and salads, or even snacking on them fresh from the container.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Alfalfa sprouts recipes
- Top your salad
- Top your sandwich
- Add them to a stir-fry
- Eat them plain
- Top your pizza
- Add them to a tortilla
- Put them inside an omelet
- Use them in egg rolls or spring rolls
- Toss them in the pot when you are cooking rice (toward the end of the cooking time)
- Add them to a tuna or seafood pasta salad
- Top your tacos with a handful
- Toss them in yeast bread when you are making it
- Top your hot dog instead of relish
- Sprinkle over the top of your soup
- Add to meatloaf. Great way to get the kids to try these alfalfa sprouts recipes.
- Use them in juicing. Just toss in a handful in with the fruits and vegetables.
- Add them to smoothies. No one will notice!
- Add to dip for vegetables or chips
- Try this Stir Fry recipe.
If you haven’t tried sprouting your own seeds or beans yet, I encourage you to try doing it yourself. It really is quite simple and a great way to grow your own food inside.
I find that using a sprouting container
is easiest to get started.
Stirfry Recipe with Sprouts
One of my favorite busy night recipes is this stir fry recipe. I can have it on the table in 15 minutes or less so it works for evenings where I’m pressed for time.
It’s a very healthy meal and a great solution for nights where I might be tempted to order take-out or hit the drive-through instead. It is both gluten-free and paleo so it’s something that everyone in the family can enjoy.
If you want to learn another new skill in the kitchen, why not learn how to make kefir.
Related Reading
Beef Stir Fry with Alfalfa Sprouts Recipe
Looking for uses for sprouts? Check out these alfalfa sprouts recipes for the best way to use them in your next meal or snack.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1-1/2 teaspoons oil, divided
- 1 small orange pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 small yellow pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 cup of broccoli florets
- 1 small zucchini, julienned
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts, rinsed
- Hot cooked rice
Instructions
- Mix the first five ingredients. Place beef in a large resealable plastic bag; add half of the marinade. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
- In a different bowl, combine cornstarch and broth until smooth. Stir in reserved marinade; set aside. Drain and discard marinade from beef. In a large nonstick skillet cook beef in 1 teaspoon oil until no longer pink; drain. Remove and keep warm.
- In the same pan, stir-fry peppers in remaining oil for 2 minutes. Add broccoli; cook 2-3 minutes longer. Add zucchini; stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in bean sprouts and heat through.
- Stir broth mixture and stir into vegetable mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Return beef to the pan; heat through. Serve over rice
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1040mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 21g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
I love Alfalfa sprouts! I’d so buy your book, you should make one!
Thanks so much for letting me know!
I’ve been making mung bean sprouts – I can find them at a few places. I wonder where to buy alfalfa for sprouting – they look good. I love the mung bean sprouts esp in stir fry!
I found alfalfa at our local food coop. I will have to look for mung beans next time.
I love sprouts! Just make sure they’re fresh cause I’ve heard of people getting really sick eating bad sprouts.
Frank (bbqboy)
Most definitely. That’s why I make my own. I know exactly how fresh they are.
Stir fry is my go to meal if I need something quick. Growing your own sprouts to add is a great idea!
I love the added crunch they give to a stir fry!
Oooh great ideas for uses with sprouts! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to share. Thanks for stopping by!
My grocery store recently stopped selling sprouts and it annoys me that I can’t find them. I really should try making my own.
Deinitely! It’s really easy to do.
I see sprouts alot while at the vegetable stand but never really knew how to cook with them. But this Stir Fri recipe has give me an idea how. Thanks
There are a lot of great recipes using sprouts. Hope you find one to try!
Thanks for sharing ellen, I love sprouts and always tried to figure out the best way to grow them at home they are soo expensive in the store.. Love them on an open faced cucumber sandwich..YUMM..thanks for great recipe ideas.
Oh that does sound good, Melanie! I will try that this summer.
I love sprouts, I wish everyone else in my house did too. I like them on salads and sandwiches the best.
Same here, Tara! I wish I could get my husband to eat them!
I love sprouts by the handful or on a sandwich. I’ve always thought of them as a cold food, and never tried alfalfa sprouts cooked. Hmmm…
I really like them both ways. If you cook with them, add them toward the end of the cooking time so they retain a bit of crunch.
I love sprouts. I love them on sandwiches.
They are a great sandwich topping!
I have always wanted to grow our own sprouts. I always shake my head when I buy them knowing how easy it is to grow them. I need to make this happen this year.
It’s a lot more affordable when you make your own!
Yum!! I never thought I would love these until my favorite place started adding them to Summer Rolls. Amazing combo!
I agree. It’s a great taste combination!
Saw your post about creating the sprouts… now a recipe. And one that sounds delicious. I seriously need to try growing these.
Thanks, Nicole! It really was a great dinner!
Looks great! I have never sprouted before, I bought some sunflower seeds at the nutrition store that I was going to sprout. That was awhile ago and they are still n my pantry! I am assuming sprouts are ok on Paleo?
Sprouts are limited on Paleo because they are seeds. Bean sprouts are not generally used because beans are not eaten.
My mom used to cook with these so this takes me back! I need to get some now. 🙂
You can buy them at most grocery stores or grow them yourself!
My mom uses them in smoothies. I have to admit, I’m a bit of a wimp to try this.
I was at first too, Janel, but now I really like them!
Using them in fresh spring rolls sounds like a great idea. So many possibilities here!
I really need to try them that way, Angela!
Sprouts are so tasty added to a salad or sandwich- I’ve never had them in stir-fry, but now I’ll have to try!
I used to really enjoy them on sandwiches!
I’ve never eaten sprouts before, that I know of. This is really interesting, Ellen.
Thanks, Mel! You definitely need to give them a try sometime!
I love sprouts but I don’t eat them enough at home!. Thanks!
One of my goals is to eat more of them!
I really ought to use them in more ways than just my stir fry. You gave great ideas here to start with.
Thanks, Liz. Let me know which ones you like!
I love alfalfa!! I grew up eating it in sandwiches! My mom’s favorite are bean sprouts which she adds to her salads and bean sprout stir fry.
Alfalfa is definitely one of my favorite types of sprouts!
Oh yum! I love fresh sprouts. I usually add them to my salads.
I like them on my salad too!
I love sprouts when I eat out – salads, sandwiches – but I never buy them to use at home. Must change this!
Even better, grow them!
I need to do this as the sprouts in the store are sad looking. I love egg foo young. http://momknowsbest15.blogspot.com/2014/01/ozeri-green-earth-smooth-ceramic.html——-recipe for it
That does sound good, Tara!
That looks really good, Ellen! I can’t believe it comes together in fifteen minutes.
It’s so easy to make that it’s great for a busy night!
Wow, had no idea that sprouts grew so fast. I know they are really good for us to eat. Your stir fry looks yummy.
Thanks, Nicole! They are very easy to grow!
I’ve never eaten a sprout before! I am going to have to give this a try, thanks!
Definitely do! I like the alfalfa sprouts a lot!
I love sprouts. They add a nice little crunch. This stir fry looks delicious!!
Very true, Mindy!
This is awesome. I LOVE sprouts. Like eat them by themselves love. I need to try to do this!
Me too, Jennifer! They are fun to sprout too!
great idea for stir fry! my hubby LOVES broccoli sprouts in sandwiches. i bet he’d like them in stir fry too
I really need to try sprouting broccoli seeds!