Bean sprouts are used heavily in Asian cuisine, specifically Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese dishes.
They can often be found in popular foods like spring rolls, pho, stir fry, salads, and noodle-based dishes. Because Asian food is becoming more popular all over the world, bean sprouts are quickly rising in popularity. Its varied uses are being called upon by new recipe websites wanting to cater to a new desire for world food.
Though bean sprouts are easy to find in Asian supermarkets, they may be difficult to catch in normal grocery stores or simply limited in quantity. So, what options do you have if you want to incorporate the same texture and taste of bean sprouts into your cooking?
Our 4 Substitutes for Bean Sprouts
What makes bean sprouts so amazingly addictive is how well they are able to soak up the flavour in a hearty stew, soup, or other savoury type dishes while providing a crisp texture.
So, even though bean sprouts don’t traditionally have much of a flavour profile on their own, they can definitely enhance an entire meal’s flavours and overall eating experience.
Here are our top 4 substitutes for bean sprouts:
1) Soybean Sprouts
Having a stronger, more central presence than bean sprouts, soybean sprouts can add extra taste to dishes like stir fry and spring rolls that bean sprouts may not be able to provide.
However, an even bigger advantage of using soybean sprouts is their chewier texture that can help bring some contrast to a meal that may feel too one-noted.
Do keep in mind that soybeans should be avoided when making salads as they could lead to a more bitter aftertaste. Only use them if you intend to make a cooked meal.
Young Versus Old
Depending on the age of the soybean, your dish may take on a different flavour profile. Younger soybeans that have a small tail typically have a fresher taste, whereas older soybeans can have a bitter aftertaste that lingers.
2) Enoki
A mushroom originating from Japan, enoki has a very similar appearance in shape and colour to bean sprouts while taking on a chewier texture.
Being such a low calorie but filling addition to a meal means that enoki works beautifully in soups, salads, and stir fry noodle dishes that need a bit more heft to them. It will help bulk out your meal without making you feel guilty about enjoying extra portions.
Long Cooking Times Required
Because of its tougher, chewier exterior, enoki requires longer cooking times with very warm water. This is why enoki is perfect in soups and stews, as the heat makes enoki much more palatable while bringing out its subtle earthiness.
3) Bamboo Shoots
Another crunchy alternative to bean sprouts, bamboo shoots are great when you need a bit of texture.
Though it is larger than bean sprouts, most dishes that incorporate bamboo shoots have them boiled and thinly sliced, making them great for salads and curries.
Another Chinese Staple
Bamboo shoots and bean sprouts almost always go hand in hand when it comes to Chinese cuisine. However, they have similar crunchy textures, making them nearly interchangeable in almost every situation.
4) Cabbage
Almost every kitchen has cabbage, but it is a quick find at any local grocery store if you don’t have cabbage to hand.
Unlike bean sprouts which only provide a bit of crunch, cabbage offers a crunch with a mix of cool freshness to meals. Of course, cabbage is a perfect ingredient for salads, but it also helps cut the saltiness of a savoury dish involving grilled chicken, pork, or even salted fish.
Prep Properly
Fresh cabbage does take a bit more time to properly prepare than bean sprouts. Washing the cabbage carefully is a necessity to remove any residual grit.
Other Substitutes for Bean Sprouts
If you need to add a bit of crunch to your dish without introducing too many bold but your supermarket doesn’t supply the more specialised items above, here are a few more substitutes that are cultivated outside of Asia so are easier to find in the UK supermarkets:
- Bok Choy – Requiring the same amount of time to cook as bean sprouts, bok choy is a great way to quickly introduce a bit of texture to any meal.
- Snow Peas – Though not an exact mirror image of bean sprouts, snow peas bring a bit of sweetness with a satisfying snap that bean sprouts may not offer.
Summary
Bean sprouts are a non-intrusive way to bring crunch and texture to soups, noodles, and salads without overpowering the already delicious assortment of flavours.
However, if you’re unable to get your hands on bean sprouts, there are fortunately many alternatives like soybean sprouts and enoki that also bring that same satisfying texture that makes bean sprouts so beloved.