6+ Substitutes for Bean Sprouts

Bean sprouts (beansprouts) are a kind of culinary vegetable that is widely used in East and Southeast Asian cuisine. These adaptable and delicate vegetables, grown from sprouting mung beans, have a mild taste that makes them popular in stir-fries and other dishes.

Bean sprouts are often used in pho, pad thai, and spring rolls. Thus you’ll discover a recipe asking for them in a variety of settings.

There are many of fantastic options for beansprouts, whether you’re seeking for a stir-fry or a crisp salad.

1. Soybean Sprouts

Soybean sprouts are a good substitute for beansprouts in recipes like stir-fries and other similar dishes. To prevent bitterness in your meal, use younger sprouts with shorter tails. Soybean sprouts should be avoided in salads and other non-cooked dishes since even the youngest and mildest sprouts may impart an unpleasant bitterness to a dish. Cooking them greatly diminishes this taste while also absorbing other flavors from the meal.

2. Enoki

Enoki is a kind of Japanese micro mushroom with long tails. The size is comparable to beansprouts, but the feel is different, since they lack the crisp crunch. Cooking Enoki mushrooms may cause molecular disintegration, causing them to become sticky or mushy, hence they should not be used in prepared meals. Enoki mushrooms are tasty and have a mild taste, making them an excellent bean sprout alternative in salads.

3. Sunflower Sprouts

Sunflower sprouts have a similar flavor to sunflower seeds and may be used as a side dish or garnish in place of beansprouts. You should try the aforementioned alternatives first for fried foods or salads.

Sunflower sprouts are also a wonderful option if you want to improve the health aspect over beansprouts or soybean sprouts. They provide a wealth of health advantages due to high levels of over five different vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc.

4. Shredded Carrot

Shredded carrot does not taste like bean sprouts, but it does have a comparable texture, which may be useful for adding crunch to meals like stir-fries.

It is also worth noting that shredded carrot is tasty and goes well in many stir fry meals, so it is not a terrible choice for your stir fry anyway.

5. Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo shoots are another fantastic alternative to use in lieu of beansprouts. Bamboo shoots are used in Chinese cookery in the same way as bean sprouts are. Both traditional components are used in the same meals at times, so using one but not the other is never a bad thing. As a result, they may be used interchangeably in stir-fries and other meals.

6. Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts are a fresh, sweet, somewhat nutty, slightly crispy microgreen. These delicate greens are an excellent replacement for bean sprouts in salads or as a side garnish. They have a moderate taste and are well-known for their flexibility, making them an excellent choice.

Always properly wash store-bought alfalfa seeds since E. coli and other possible dangers are more prevalent with microgreens. If they seem slimy or wilted, follow the adage “if in doubt, toss it away.” Growing your microgreens is a better choice for some, while it does not completely eliminate the danger.