Do Bean Sprouts Go Bad?

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Bean sprouts are known as small white shoots. They sprout from mung beans. These vegetable bean sprouts are very delicious and easy to cook. As every vegetable has a specific shelf life after which it goes bad, so you may be thinking, do bean sprouts go bad?

Bean sprouts are not shelf-stable. But if they are store properly, then they can last for as long as possible. This article briefly explains the storage, shelf life, and going bad of bean sprouts.

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How to Store Bean Sprouts?

Like other vegetable bean sprouts also need proper storage conditions to last for a long time. If you do not take good care of bean sprouts, then they will go bad very quickly. They are not shelf-stable, but if you store them properly, they will last for a long time.

You can save your bean sprouts from going bad by following the storage guidelines mentioned below in this article.

Place it away from sunlight

Make sure that you place your bean sprouts away from the sunlight and airflow. Sunlight can affect the product quite negatively. It will make the sprouts too hot, and it will result in drying out of the product. The quality and freshness of bean sprouts cannot be retained in the sunlight.

Keep it away from hot water

You should keep bean sprouts away not only from the sunlight but also from the hot water. Because in hot water there are more chances of bacteria to grow. And it will result in the formation of mold. It will spoil the bean sprouts very quickly.

Wash them frequently

It will be best for you if you wash your bean sprouts frequently. Washing bean sprouts frequently will keep them fresh, and it also washes any unwanted growths away. Moreover, washing will encourage the sprouts to grow quickly. So, it is better to wash your bean sprouts at least two times a day.

If they are left unwashed for more than two days, they will get smelly and motionless.

Place in refrigerator

The refrigerator is the best place for storing bean sprouts. You should not keep bean sprouts at room temperature. It needs a cool environment to sit in. So, you should store them in the refrigerator.

Store in freezer

If you want your bean sprouts to last for a very long time, you should store them in the freezer. The shelf life of bean sprouts will also increase by storing them in the freezer. They can retain their peak quality for a year in the freezer.

Can You Freeze Bean Sprouts?

Many food products can retain their peak qualities for a long time in the freezer. Similarly, bean sprouts can last for a long time in a freezer. They can be stored in the freezer to increase their shelf-life.

They can last for only a week in the refrigerator, but they can last for almost a year when they are stored in the freezer. Unfortunately, the crisp and crunch of bean sprouts are lost after storing them in the freezer. But they’re also good news that is blanching them before freezing can save the crunchie texture.

How Long Does Bean Sprouts Last?

Bean sprouts are not shelf stable food products. They cannot last for a long time at room temperature. The shelf-life of bean sprouts much depends upon their storage conditions. You cannot store bean sprouts at room temperature because they get spoiled very quickly when exposed to air and sunlight.

Mostly, bean sprouts can last for almost a week if kept in the refrigerator. On the other hand, they can last for up to a year if stored in the freezer. But freezing may affect the texture of bean sprouts.

How to Tell If Bean Sprouts Are Bad?

Bean sprouts can go bad very quickly. Once they have gone bad, there is no use of it, and you need to get rid of them straight away. It is not very difficult to tell whether the bean sprouts have gone bad or not. There is a change in the taste, smell, and texture of bean sprouts once they get spoiled.

Following are some signs which need to look for to tell whether your bean sprouts are bad or not:

Bean sprouts are odorless like other salad components. So, give them a good sniff. If they smell unpleasant, then it means that they have gone bad. Please get rid of them at once.
Check the bean sprouts closely. If you notice any sign of molds, such as a white fuzzy layer on the surface, that means that your sprouts have gone bad.
Bean sprouts have a delightful taste. If they taste a bit sour, then avoid using them. Change in the taste of the product is one of the most common signs of spoilage.