How to Grow Lentil Sprouts
Last Updated on November 6, 2025 by Heather Reseck
Belief Bakery #26
This recipe for Lentil Sprouts was published in Guide magazine’s August 16, 2025 issue, a weekly publication for children ages 10-14. It is number 26 in a series of 28 installments called “Belief Bakery,” which uses hands-on cooking projects to illustrate the 28 fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists.
This project is in collaboration with my husband, Greg Reseck, a retired educator specializing in project-based learning.
We emphasize the love of God and Biblical concepts and tie them into fun cooking projects with healthy plant-based recipes.
Seeds of Hope
Even though you are young, you’ve likely been impacted by death–the death of a pet, a grandparent, or someone close to you. Death is one of the difficult realities of living in this sinful world.
When Lazarus died, Jesus told His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” John 11:11 NLT. Jesus compared death to a deep sleep when a person doesn’t feel, think, or know anything (see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10).
One day soon, Jesus will “wake up” His loved ones just like He raised Lazarus from the dead. We will be resurrected to eternal life with Jesus, free from all disease and pain 1 Corinthians 15:52 NLT. (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.)
You don’t need to fear death; it is not the end for those who love God. If you die before Jesus comes, Jesus will wake you up. When a loved one dies, God is with you, guiding and comforting you (see Psalm 23:4; 34:18). Very soon, Jesus will come back. At just the right time, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 NLT
In this cooking project, you’ll see a type of “resurrection” in the plant world. You will see seemingly lifeless lentil seeds grow into edible lentil sprouts. Watching the lentils sprout and grow can remind you of the hope we have in Jesus. One day we, too, will be raised to a new life, just as He promised.
Seed to Sprout: An Edible Adventure with Lentil Sprouts
Difficulty
- Easy
Before You Begin
Adult supervision is recommended for inexperienced junior chefs.
- Read through the recipe, variations, and tips.
- Arrange to buy any ingredients that you need.
- Arrange to borrow any equipment that you need.
Steps to Get Ready to Cook
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Gather the equipment.
Equipment for Sprouted Lentils
- Measuring cups
- Liquid measure
- Quart mason jar
- Cheesecloth
- Rubber band or jar ring
- Cereal bowl
Ingredients for Sprouted Lentils
- Dry brown or green lentils
- Cool water
See the recipe card for specific measurements.
Directions for How to Grow Sprouted Lentils
- In the evening, sort through the lentils and remove any rocks or debris.
- Place the lentils in a quart jar.
- Fill the jar with cool water. Cover with cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band or jar ring.
- Drain to rinse the lentils.
- Fill the jar half full with cool water.
- Let soak on the counter overnight or for 8-12 hours.
- In the morning, drain off the soaking water.
- Fill the jar with cool water. Drain.
- Gently shake the jar to distribute seeds along the side.
- Place the jar, top side down, in a cereal bowl at an angle to allow ventilation and drainage.
- Place it on the kitchen counter out of direct sunlight, where you will remember to rinse twice a day. Near the kitchen sink is often a good place.
- In the evening, fill the jar with cool water. Drain.
- Place at an angle in the cereal bowl.
- Repeat rinsing and draining twice a day for 1-2 more days, until the lentil sprouts have ¼-½-inch tails and the jar is nearly full.
How to Serve Lentil Sprouts
- Enjoy lentil sprouts in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
- Or mix lentil sprouts with mayonnaise, shredded carrots, chopped green onions, curry powder, and salt.
- Or add lentil sprouts to stir fry or soup, or cook until soft.
Variations
- Other Sprouts: Substitute 2 tablespoons of small sprouting seeds such as clover, broccoli, or radish. Rinse and drain twice a day until the jar is full, about 5-7 days. Choose sprouting seeds, not ones intended for gardening, which are often treated with chemicals.
- A sprouting screen can be substituted for the cheesecloth.
Tips for Sprouting Lentils
- Cheesecloth is available at grocery stores.
- Rinse lentil sprouts 3 times a day if it is hot in the kitchen.
- Split lentils, such as red lentils, will not sprout.
How to Store Sprouted Lentils
- When ready to harvest, rinse lentil sprouts with cold water. Drain well for 8-12 hours. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days..
Health Bite
God designed seeds with a powerhouse of nutrients needed to start growing plants. Sprouting or cooking lentils makes those nutrients available for eating and nourishing your body. Some seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower, can be eaten raw or roasted. Beans such as pinto, black beans, and chickpeas are high-protein seeds that require cooking. Some seeds, such as radish, alfalfa, clover, and broccoli, are best suited for sprouting.
Other Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Garlic Breadsticks with Pizza Dipping Sauce
- A+ Alphabet Soup
- Jigsaw Crackers
- Easy Fruit Salad
- Banana Ice Cream
Recipe Video
Lentil Sprouts
Equipment
- Equipment:
- Measuring cups
- Liquid measure
- Quart mason jar
- Cheesecloth
- Rubber band or jar ring
- Cereal bowl
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry brown or green lentils
- Cool water
Instructions
- In the evening, sort through the lentils and remove any rocks or debris.
- Place the lentils in a quart jar.
- Fill the jar with cool water. Cover with cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band or jar ring.
- Drain to rinse the lentils.
- Fill the jar half full with cool water.
- Let soak on the counter for 8-12 hours.
- In the morning, drain the soaking water.
- Fill the jar with cool water. Drain.
- Gently shake the jar to distribute seeds along the side.
- Place the jar, cloth side down, in a cereal bowl at an angle to allow ventilation and drainage.
- Place it on the kitchen counter out of direct sunlight, where you will remember to rinse twice a day. Near the kitchen sink is often a good place.
- In the evening, fill the jar with cool water. Drain.
- Place at an angle in the cereal bowl.
- Repeat rinsing and draining twice a day for 1-2 more days, until the sprouts have ¼-½-inch tails and the jar is nearly full.
- When ready to harvest, rinse with cold water. They are ready to eat in salads, sandwiches, or wraps. Or mix with mayonnaise, shredded carrots, chopped green onions, curry powder, and salt. Or add them to stir fry or soup, or cook until soft.
- To store, drain well for 8- 12 hours. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Substitute 2 tablespoons of small sprouting seeds such as clover, broccoli, or radish. Rinse and drain twice a day until the jar is full, about 5-7 days. Choose sprouting seeds, not ones intended for gardening which are often treated with chemicals.
- A sprouting screen can be substituted for the cheesecloth.
- Cheesecloth is available at grocery stores.
- Rinse 3 times a day if it is hot in the kitchen.
- Split lentils, such as red lentils will not sprout.
