So, a diverse topic is on our hands today. The topic is on the 7 best substitutes for bean sprouts. Let’s see what bean sprouts are in general. Basically, we get bean sprouts through the bean seed germination process. It can be used in several dishes according to individual preference.
Now, why do we need substitutes for bean sprouts? At times, we might need to add bean sprouts to a dish, but we don’t have them at that moment. So, we’ll require substitutes for the bean sprouts.
Soybean sprouts are the best bean sprout substitute, according to us. These have the same crispness and flavor as celery, making them an excellent substitute. However, we’ll show you the seven best bean sprout substitutes in the following section.
Substitute for Bean Sprouts
So, we’ve got the best replacements for bean sprouts below. Go through each of them and find out which one best fits your choice and the recipe. We’ll start off the discussion with Enoki.
Enoki
Here we’re talking about the Enoki mushrooms. They’re widely considered a replacement for beans. Many Native Americans use mushrooms in place of beans.
They have a hat-like structure at the base and are generally thin. They even have a bean flavor that is similar to mung bean sprouts.
Cooked enoki is the best substitute to consider. You can add them to any soup recipe in the early part of the cooking process to soften them. This will also give the mushrooms time to fill the soup with their delectable flavor.
Greens
On the other hand, green vegetables are an excellent substitute for bean sprouts. When you don’t have any bean substitutes, you can simply use a combination of several vegetables that you have on hand.
Green beans can be easily replaced by zucchini, broccoli, and asparagus. With their mild, sweet, and somewhat bitter tastes, Vegetables can help emulsify meals like beans.
Green veggies can also perfectly contribute vitamins, fiber, and minerals to your meals. So, consider green vegetables when you find yourself short of beans.
Cabbage
As we said, you can use vegetables as bean substitutes in the previous section. However, cabbage is also a great option to consider. If you’re wondering what type of cabbage would be great, bok choy is a great cabbage to consider.
Bok choy is a white Chinese cabbage variety. It contains sensitive, fresh leaves as well as a thick, crispy foundation. Bok choy can be thinly sliced and used in place of bean sprouts in pad thai or any Thai soup recipe. You’ll appreciate this quick, tasty, and healthful alternative to bean sprouts.
Sunflower Sprouts
Well, sunflower sprouts are another option to consider as a replacement for bean sprouts. Sunflower sprouts are manufactured in the same way as mung bean sprouts are made.
A little sprout emerges from a moist seed, which is perfectly ready for eating. Mung bean sprouts are smaller than sunflower sprouts. Although some individuals find them bitter, they may work well in a salad or sandwich.
Before using the sunflower seedlings in your recipes, mix them with some herbs. This will help mask the bitterness and make them taste just like regular bean sprouts.
Soybean Sprouts
For us, soybean sprouts are the best substitute for bean sprouts. Why?
Soybean sprouts are prepared in the same manner as mung bean sprouts. Soybeans are soaked before being stored in a wet environment. After a few days, small sprouts emerge from the soybeans.
The flavor of soybean sprouts is stronger than that of mung bean sprouts. They’re a little thicker and chewier. Because they’re cooked and tenderized, they’re a fine replacement for bean sprouts in any food recipe.
Snow Peas
If you’ve got snow peas, they can be an excellent substitute for bean sprouts. But, you need to process the snow peas perfectly to use them in a recipe. Bean sprouts can be replaced with thinly sliced snow peas.
Snow peas are slightly thicker and crunchier than regular peas. But the wet, crunchy smell is nearly comparable. Snow peas have an advantage of compatibility in almost all food recipes.
In Thai and other prepared soups or meals, snow peas can also be used in place of bean sprouts. Boiling the chopped snow peas softens them and makes them more like bean sprouts.
Bamboo shoots
Bamboo shoots are grass-like shoots that are sturdy and sensitive. Therefore, bamboo shoots are frequently harvested when still young and tender.
It can be found in a variety of Asian foods. However, it is now available in canned form in many parts of the world. So, are bamboo shoots and bean sprouts the same thing? Indeed, these have a satisfying crunch and an attractive appearance.
If you don’t have any on hand, bamboo shoots are a good substitute for bean sprouts. You chop it neatly and add it to your stir-fry recipes, and you’ve got yourself a tasty stir-fry.
Mung Beans
The mung bean, also known as the common green gram, is a legume native to East and Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent.
Mung bean sprouts are perhaps the most common variety of bean sprouts and are used in numerous cuisines, both spicy and sweet. Its flavor is often naturally sweet, juicy, and crunchy.
Cooked mung beans are commonly combined with granules, veggies in soups, or processed into powder for use in flatbreads. They can also be combined with rice and oats to make rice or bread.
Mung beans and bean sprouts cook quickly and taste great in dips, sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Substitute for Bean Sprouts
Ingredients
- Enoki
- Greens
- Cabbage
- Sunflower Sprouts
- Soybean Sprouts
- Snow Peas
- Bamboo shoots
- Mung Beans
Instructions
- Choose your preferred replacement from the list
- Add substitute to your recipe
- Make your own delicious recipe
Can I substitute canned bean sprouts for fresh?
- Actually, you can use canned bean sprouts instead of fresh ones. But, it’s not preferable to do so.To begin with, you would believe canned bean sprouts would be an excellent replacement for organic bean sprouts. But, sadly, they lack taste and crispness. While they may not have the ideal texture, there are a few superior substitutes that will add freshness to your recipe.
Conclusion
Well, we’ve talked about eight different bean sprouts in our article. Starting from enoki to mung beans, the details of each substitute are there for you to explore. Overall, we find soybean sprouts and enoki as the best substitutes for bean sprouts.
However, whatever substitute you use, it’s all about your creativity. If you can use the substitutes in proportion, you’ll definitely have a beautiful and tasty dish for your next snack.
We can use any of the alternatives listed in our blog post because they all have a neutral taste and smell. However, there could be many other substitutes for bean sprouts. If you find one, then do let us know in the comments.
FAQ
Well, of course. Pea shoots are an excellent replacement for bean sprouts as they have almost the same nutritional value. The taste is also spicy and crunchy, just like the bean sprouts.
Bean sprouts and pea shoots have 30 calories per 100 grams, while pea shoots have 35 calories per 100 grams. Bean sprouts are higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates, and similar in fat to pea shoots in macronutrient ratios.
Actually, you can use canned bean sprouts instead of fresh ones. But, it’s not preferable to do so.
To begin with, you would believe canned bean sprouts would be an excellent replacement for organic bean sprouts. But, sadly, they lack taste and crispness. While they may not have the ideal texture, there are a few superior substitutes that will add freshness to your recipe.
Honestly, alfalfa sprouts are known as a famous substitute for bean sprouts. If you use them in your soup recipe, it’s like icing on the cake. Alfalfa sprouts are excellent when eaten raw.
Also, they add a nutritious, crunchy garnish to your sandwiches. Alfalfa sprouts are simply germinated alfalfa seeds with a light, sweet flavor. These sprouts are a reasonable replacement for bean sprouts in salads and sandwiches.
In Vietnam, soup made with beef stock, herbs, and vegetables is called pho. Bean sprouts are a common ingredient in pho. They add crispness to the soup and are aesthetically pleasing as a garnish.
The good news is that there are various substitutes for bean sprouts in a pho recipe. Starting from cabbage, enoki, and sunflower sprouts, all are good replacements for bean sprouts in pho.
So, consider any of our eight bean sprout replacements if you would like to prepare a tasty pho dish.
First, it’s essential to understand the difference between shoots and sprouts. Because they are harvested at a moment when the plant is just starting to develop, the minerals in the shoots are contained to a greater extent.
It’s difficult to conceive of a cuter way to consume your vegetables than this. Because they are sprung from the seed, sprouts are referred to as “sprouts.” A sprout is a flower that has emerged from a seed.
However, bamboo shoots are a wonderful substitute for stir-frying bean sprouts since they have a similar crunch and color. Slice it as thinly as you’d like it to look.
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