Have you seen the cost of chicken feed lately?!? Not to mention any produce at the grocery store. If you're anything like me, you're always looking for ways to cut costs.
So I thought I'd share this post on how to grow lentil sprouts. This post is about sprouting lentils for your family's lentil recipes as well as growing lentils for chickens.
I started sprouting lentils because I wanted one more cheap, simple way to stretch our pantry and feed our chickens something fresh in winter. Living off the grid taught me to look hard at small food habits that save money over time. A jar of lentil sprouts isn't fancy, but it's useful, easy, and cheap enough to keep doing.
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Why Lentils?
So I LOVE green lentils, red lentils, and brown lentils too. They're cheap, delicious, and pack a nutrition punch!
That's why lentils are one of the items we buy in bulk to stock our prepper pantry.
I often add a cup of lentils to replace beans in our soups and stews. And why I created this turmeric lentil soup recipe.
And I love the earthy flavor and crunchy texture of lentil sprouts (and bean sprouts too.)
If you want to reduce the cost of your chicken feed and provide your chickens with an extra burst of nutrients, start sprouting your own healthy legumes and grains like these sprouted lentils.
They are so easy to grow at home in mason jars. And they store well in the fridge for up to a week once sprouted.
They're also a great way to provide a nutrient-dense fresh greens, especially throughout the winter, for people and chickens alike.
Raw lentil sprouts are low in fat and have many nutritional benefits.
Lentil Sprouts for Chickens
A cup of sprouts is an excellent source of protein, zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium, b Vitamins, and antioxidants. Adding a few cups; of lentil sprouts to your chicken's weekly diet can help you stick to your homestead budget goals too.
When you germinate seeds, the nutrient level can be increased by as much as 300% Plus you can get a pound of lentils for around $1, making them an incredibly cheap addition and treat for your little egg producers!
WARNING: please remember that uncooked or unsprouted lentils can be toxic to your chickens.
Supplies for Sprouting Lentils
- 16 oz. Mason Jars
- ½ cup dried lentils
- Water
- Mason jar ring
- Sprouting lid
You can purchase sprouting lids online.
And you can make your own sprouting lids using mesh or plastic canvas for just pennies.
Or you can purchase a whole sprouting setup if you don't already have a big collection of mason jars and sprouting lids.
How to Grow Lentil Sprouts in a Mason Jar
There are several ways to sprout lentils, depending on the amount of sprouts you want and the supplies you have on hand.
We've used a wide mouth mason jar without a sprouting lid.
I used a paper coffee filter instead of a wide mouth mason jar lid. And then held it in place with a rubber band.
Pour dry lentils into the mason jar.
Cover completely with clean water and replace the lid.
Allow your lentils to soak all day or overnight.
Flip the jar over the sink and allow it to drain; you may need to move it around a bit to different tilts so it can drain properly.
Set the jar in a warm spot out of direct sunlight.
Two t three times a day, run cool water over the lentils to rinse them and then drain them well to remove excess water and prevent mold growth during germination.
Once the sprouting jar is full, transfer the jar to the refrigerator, and you can keep them for up to a week.
Lentil Sprout Troubleshooting
Most lentil sprout problems come from too much water, poor air flow, or a jar that wasn't clean enough. Don't overthink it. Check the jar, trust your nose, and start fresh if something seems off.
Why are my lentil sprouts moldy?
Mold usually means the sprouts stayed too wet. Rinse them well, drain every bit of extra water, and keep the jar tilted so air can move through it.
If you see fuzzy mold, throw the batch away. Wash the jar and lid with hot, soapy water before you start again.
Why do my lentil sprouts smell bad?
Fresh lentil sprouts should smell clean and earthy. They shouldn't smell sour, rotten, or sharp.
If the jar smells bad, don't feed the sprouts to your family or your chickens. Compost them, wash the jar, and start again with fresh lentils.
Why are my lentil sprouts slimy?
Slimy sprouts usually mean they sat in water too long. They may also need more rinsing or better drainage.
Toss slimy sprouts. Next time, use fewer lentils in the jar and drain them longer after each rinse.
How Many Lentil Sprouts?
You can either half or double the number of lentils when you are sprouting lentils for chickens and for your family.
Use a wide-mouth mason jar or any other smaller glass jar.
You could even use a sprouting mat or multiple jars to increase the amount based on your flock or family size.
I recommend sprouting a jar and then starting another one three or four days later, rotating this way to keep your flock and family in the green.
FAQs on how to grow lentil sprouts
Here's a look at the questions we often get on growing tiny sprouts at home.
How long does the sprouting process take?
This depends on several things, including the variety of lentils, indoor temperature, time of year, and light. It usually takes us about 4-5 days to sprout fully.
However, my daughter says we once grew sprouts indoors in 2-3 days. But that might have been our mustard seed sprouts...
Can I sprout the regular lentils I buy from the health food stores?
Yes. We have had success growing raw sprouts from dry lentils and a pack of special sprouting seeds. So give lentils and lentil seeds a try.
We have had great luck growing kidney beans and growing black beans indoors over the winter; I'm up for trying it. (I'm also going to give mung beans a try, although Dan says he won't eat them.)
What happens if I forget to rinse the sprouts?
You could end up with moldy sprouts. Check them carefully, rinse them thoroughly with cold water.
I don't have a sprouting lid or a quart jar. What should I do?
No problem. Use any clean glass jar. Then you can use a damp paper towel, coffee filter, and rubber band instead of the lid. You could even use cheesecloth, but the key is good air circulation.
I found that the coffee filter gave better results. Maybe it had better air circulation.
How should I store my sprouts?
We use a plastic container with air holes -I think it had store-bought berries at once. Otherwise, I found the sprouts get pretty moldy.
Are lentil sprouts safe to eat?
Lentil sprouts can be safe to eat when you grow, rinse, drain, and store them carefully. Use clean jars, clean water, and good air flow. Keep finished sprouts in the fridge.
Raw sprouts can carry bacteria, so as Health Canada says, use extra care if you're feeding young children, older adults, pregnant women, or anyone with a weak immune system. The CDC notes that raw or undercooked sprouts are a riskier food choice, and cooked sprouts are safer. So when in doubt, cook the sprouts before eating them.
Can chickens eat lentil sprouts?
Yes, chickens can eat lentil sprouts as a treat. Sprouted lentils give them fresh greens, especially in winter when pasture is limited.
Start with a small amount and watch your flock. Don't feed moldy, slimy, or bad-smelling sprouts to chickens.
Hi...
I'm interesting in sprouting but I'm not sure about the process. I get the water and drain and air circulation but, what about the 'seed' part..? Do you eat the remaining lentil/bean/seed that is still on the sprouts or does that need to be removed...and how would you do that..? Also, does the same principles apply when sprouting ANY kind of seeds or do different types need to be sprouted differently..?
Absolutely!
My chickens are loving their sprouted lentils! Can I prepare mustard seeds in the same way as the lentils ?