I’m sharing different methods I have tried to keep bean sprouts fresh longer and the method I like the most as it is the most effective way to keep mung bean sprouts fresh longer.
Beansprouts/mung bean sprouts are one of the ingredients I have in my fridge almost every week. I can probably say that they are quintessential ingredients in Asian cooking. They are used in salad and stir-fry a lot in Asian cooking.
The problem I have (and I believe many of you too) is that bean sprouts do not keep for long. I can buy them fresh from the grocery store only to find them starting to turn into mush the next day. It’s pretty frustrating especially when you are getting ready to stir fry that noodle or make salad with them and here you are with a bag of mushy bean sprouts! NOT COOL!
Three methods I’ve tried to keep beansprouts fresh longer
1. Keep them in a bag with some air
I keep them in the plastic bag
Bunch up the plastic bag with your hands to “bloat” the bag up with some air
Tie the bag up to keep the air in so the plastic bag stays bloated with air
Conclusion: This method can keep the beansprouts fresh for about 3-4 days wish some of the sprouts started to get a bit mushy, especially the one at the bottom
2. Keep them in container or plastic bag covered with absorbent paper towel
Loosely place the mung bean sprouts in there.
Then top with a paper towel and then place more mung bean sprouts on top and then cover with paper towel. About 2 layers instead of packing all in one layer. Store it open in the fridge. The idea is to give them good circulation and keep them dry so they last longer.
Conclusion: This method can keep the beansprouts fresh for about 5 days wish some of the sprouts started to get a bit mushy
The easiest and most effective way to keep beansprouts fresh longer
I call this the soaking method. Here’s how:
1. It’s important to start with fresh good looking beansprouts. Discard any that don’t look good to you anymore
2. Transfer the beansprouts into a large container with a lid.
3. Pour water (you don’t need ice water) to submerge the beansprouts
4. Cover with a lid. Put the container in the fridge. Discard the soaking water and change with a fresh water daily. Sometimes I forgot and I change after 2 days, no big deal
Conclusion: This method can keep the beansprouts not only fresh but also crisp like new for about 7 days or longer. At day 7, the beansprouts are still looking fresh and crisp. I didn’t go any further, but I believe I can probably keep it for up to 10 days if I want to
Which method is the best?
Well, isn’t it obvious? Soaking the beansprouts give the best result! It’s best to change the water daily, but I don’t remember it sometimes and change it after 2 days and they still turn out just fine. I didn’t start with an ice water. I just use regular tap water and put it in the fridge. The fridge will chill the water. It works!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BEAN SPROUTS
1. CAN I FREEZE BEAN SPROUTS?
You can, but I don’t recommend it because I hate soggy bean sprouts. The texture deteriorates once you freeze them. They do last indefinitely when you freeze them, but I don’t want to use soggy bean sprouts in my salad or stir-fry. I highly recommend buying bean sprouts only when you do plan to use them in your cooking that week.
2. SHOULD I REMOVE BEAN SPROUTS TAIL OR NOT?
When you remove tails from the bean sprouts, they look much better. My kids don’t like to eat bean sprouts with tails. I honestly don’t either. It doesn’t alter the taste a lot, but the stringy tails can be annoying to me! So, I would personally recommend to remove them but I know it can be a chorus to do so! Sometimes I got lazy and just leave them too 🙂 It’s really up to you if you don’t mind those tails. My mom, though, swears, that the sprouts keep longer when you remove the tails.
That is it! Simple as that! If you are interested in sprouting/growing your own mung beans, you should check this out:
How To Sprout Mung Beans (Mung Bean Sprouts)
If you need some recipe ideas for bean sprouts,HERE ARE SOME OF MY RECIPES USING BEAN SPROUTS
How To Keep Bean Sprouts Fresh Longer
Ingredients
- Fresh bean sprouts
- Water
Any of these will work:
- Glass or plastic container
Instructions
- It's important to start with fresh good looking beansprouts. Discard any that don't look good to you anymore
- Transfer the beansprouts into a large container with a lid. Pour water (you don't need ice water) to submerge the beansprouts. Cover with a lid
- Put the container in the fridge. Discard the soaking water and change with a fresh water daily. Sometimes I forgot and I change after 2 days, no big deal
- They can be kept this way for about 7 days or longer. At day 7, the beansprouts are still looking fresh and crisp. I didn't go any further, but I believe I can probably keep it for up to 10 days if I want to
- When ready to use them, simply discard the soaking water and give the sprouts a quick rinse and you are good to go
15 comments
I used a small salad spinner, filled with water and stored in fridge. To change water just lift colander and refill water. Easy and worked!!
Brilliant idea! Now I need to get myself a salad spinner!
Thank you! I love bean sprouts but always have to throw a lot away. I found an Asian market that had beautiful sprouts but I didn’t buy them because I knew I couldn’t keep them fresh long enough to use them all. I can go get them now. Yay! Already planning steamed sprouts and bok choy. I’m going to be following your channel for more tips and tricks ks
Thank you Antoinette, I hope the tips work for you!!!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
What You said is both so TRUE! & so relatable, when attempting to keep Bean Sprouts on hand, and also about them turning mushy.
I will definitely be trying the water method, and I appreciate You sharing Your expertise!
Hi Bonnie, it’s agonizing that I purchased bean sprouts only to throw them away because they turn into mush!! I hope the water method works out for you!!
Super happy with this tip! I was always throwing away bean sprouts because I do like them in some dishes but I do not love them so there was always leftovers. But now I keep them in tub with water I have days to use them. Makes me really happy because I hate throwing away food. Thanks for helping me (and helping the planet :->)
Same here! I always throw away bean sprouts because they went bad so quickly. But now, with this soaking method, it buys me extra days 🙂
This sounds fantastic! I’ve read that storing the sprouts in a container of ice water works just as well. Is this true? Does soaking the sprouts work?
I have yet to try that myself, but I’ve seen people do that on Youtube. I will have to try that and report back 😉 It seems like you need to change the water daily though and keep them in the fridge.
I’m happy to tell you that it works. I soak them in water (not even ice water) and put in the fridge and they stay crisp and fresh for 7 days, could have been longer, but I didn’t go further than that. I just change the water every 1-2 days.
I have made our own sprouted mung bean sprouts for years. Now all of a sudden some dont sprout ( maybe 5%); they turn soft and actually smell. What is happening here?
Hi Mari, I haven’t tried to sprout my own bean sprouts yet, so sorry I can’t help you with your question here :/
Thank you Marvellina! I have been looking for a way to stop my bean sprouts from getting mushy. Your article helped me achieve this because I love bean sprouts!
Hi Lauren, me too. I love bean sprouts. In fact, just ate some for lunch 🙂 I’m glad you find it useful 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!