Fermented Ginger Pickles Recipe - Fit Bottomed Girls (2024)

By Jenn

July 25, 2017

Probiotics have never been hotter. Fermented foods have never been cooler. And this Fermented Ginger Pickles recipe? Well, it’s darn right blazin’ awesome.

(Also? It’s what you probably envision as pickled ginger — it’s not, like, cucumbers pickled with ginger. Although now that I’m thinking about it, that would probably be darn tasty, too!)

Fermented Ginger Pickles Recipe - Fit Bottomed Girls (1)
From the bookFiery Fermentswhich includes110 formulations for spicy fermented condiments including sauces, salsas, relishes and chutneys, plus recipes for dishes and drinks that use them — this recipe is perfect for those who are looking to make fermented foods with big flavor and kick.

Fermented Ginger Pickles Recipe - Fit Bottomed Girls (2)
It’s also a great beginners’ recipe. If you’ve wanted to do some fermenting but have been intimidated by recipes that require special gear, try this one. It’s SO easy!

Fermented Ginger Pickles Recipe - Fit Bottomed Girls (3)

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Fermented Ginger Pickles Recipe

Author:Kirsten Shockey and Christopher Shockey

Recipe type:Side

Serves:1 pint

In early winter the produce section of markets can be loaded with newly harvested ginger, galangal, and turmeric roots; they are full, succulent, and fresh. This is the time to preserve them. If you are lucky, you might find varieties beyond the widely available yellow ginger, such as the milder baby ginger, labeled “pink,” “young,” “new,” or “stem” ginger, or the zestier blue Hawaiian. This recipe can be used for any kind of ginger, turmeric, or galangal, though galangal is more fibrous and better suited for a grated paste. We use these slices throughout the year to flavor meals or to put in other ferments to give them a head start (for example, when starting a hot sauce with only dried chile pods).

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ginger by peeling off the skin and slicing the root as thinly as possible — think of the pickled ginger that’s served alongside a plate of sushi. Place these slices in a bowl.
  2. Mix in the salt.
  3. Pack the mixture tightly into a pint jar, pressing out any air pockets as you go. Leave the top quarter of the jar free.
  4. Press a Ziplock bag against the surface of the ferment, fill the bag with water, and zip it closed.
  5. Place the jar on a plate and set aside, out of direct sunlight, to ferment for 7 to 14 days. During the fermentation period, monitor for air pockets, pressing down the ginger if needed. As the ginger ferments, the color will change slightly. The brine will become milky.
  6. When the pickles are ready, transfer the jar to the refrigerator. These pickles will keep, refrigerated, for 12 months, provided the ginger is kept under the brine.

Notes

Heat index: 2


What other fermented foods do you love? You know my feelings on sauerkraut on all the things. —Jenn

Excerpted with permission from Fiery Ferments, © by Kirsten Shockey and Christopher Shockey, photography © by Lara Ferroni, used with permission from Storey Publishing.

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7 Comments

  1. elena says:

    March 6, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    what does the fermented ginger usually smell like? I made some for the first time and can’t tell if its safe to eat, it smells bad. I have been making lots of tasty saurkraut and I know its good when it smells good but then again I know what saurkraut is supposed to smell like. I can’t say I have ever smelled ginger kraut on its own.

  2. John says:

    November 10, 2018 at 2:44 am

    What’s the difference between this method and soaking the ginger in salt water instead?

  3. Kelly Johnson says:

    November 4, 2019 at 9:57 pm

    I just want to make sure I understand correctly- you’re not adding water to the ginger, just salt and packing it tightly in the jar and then using the ziploc water bag to seal out air? Thanks

    1. Jenn says:

      November 5, 2019 at 10:20 am

      You got it — that’s right! 🙂

      –Jenn

  4. Cheryl Creasey says:

    June 6, 2021 at 5:03 am

    Looks very easy I am going to try it.

    1. Jenn says:

      June 6, 2021 at 10:00 am

      Awesome! Let us know how it goes!

      –Jenn

  5. Emilie says:

    October 1, 2021 at 10:28 am

    How long does it usually take until we see bubbles? After 6 days, I only see very few bubbles while my sauerkraut that I made on the same dat is bubbling like crazy 🙂 Is it normal? Should I add brine or something? Thanks!

Comments are closed.

Fermented Ginger Pickles Recipe - Fit Bottomed Girls (2024)

FAQs

Is pickled ginger the same as fermented ginger? ›

Here's what you need to remember: Pickling involves soaking foods in an acidic liquid to achieve a sour flavor; when foods are fermented, the sour flavor is a result of a chemical reaction between a food's sugars and naturally present bacteria — no added acid required.

How long does fermented ginger last? ›

Using a glass weight (pickle pebble) and an airlock, allow to ferment for 3-4 days or until it is really bubbling. Store in the refrigerator for up to a year.

Is pickled ginger better than raw ginger? ›

Pickled ginger can be a flavourful, low-calorie addition to your diet. Be aware of the salt and sugar used to pickle and preserve it, though, and opt for versions that may be lower in these additives. Or have fresh ginger root to enjoy all of its benefits - without the added salt or sugar.

How long does ginger pickle last? ›

Pickled ginger typically maintains its best quality for 1 to 2 months when stored in the refrigerator. This period can extend significantly if the ginger is kept in an airtight container, as exposure to air can diminish its quality. At room temperature, its quality degrades much faster.

What does fermented ginger do to the body? ›

As garlic and ginger go through the fermentation process, the number of probiotic bacteria in them increases. Consuming probiotic bacteria has many benefits including improving your digestive system and immune system. In the winter, it is especially important to consume probiotics to help avoid colds and the flu.

Are fermented pickles good for your gut? ›

Fermented foods like pickles are basically probiotic superfoods, packed full of good bacteria that can support the health of your gastrointestinal microbiome and are good for your gut bacteria. Be sure to go for fermented pickles rather than vinegar-pickled.

How to tell if kvass has gone bad? ›

The kvass should taste watery and have a very subtle fizz. If it turns quite thick and viscous, and has a strange smell, discard the brew and try again.

How to tell if a ferment has gone bad? ›

If your lacto-fermentation fails, the signs are unmistakable: repulsive smells, hairy mould on the surface, flashy colours, etc. Read on to discover the different phenomena that can occur in your jar. While some situations are normal, others may indicate a problem.

Does ginger in a jar go bad? ›

Once opened, refrigerate and consume within one week. Once opened, if stored in an airtight container, uncrystallised ginger can last up to two years.

Is it okay to eat pickled ginger every day? ›

Pickled ginger, like many pickled vegetables, is a low pH food that is high in good microbes, particularly, lactobacillus bacteria, which is recognised as a primary probiotic. *Eating pickled ginger every day alleviates symptoms of cold, cough, flu, joint pain, and indigestion.

What are the side effects of too much ginger? ›

It is rare to have side effects from ginger. In high doses it may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. You may be able to avoid some of the mild stomach side effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset, by taking ginger supplements in capsules or taking ginger with meals.

When not to take ginger? ›

Interactions. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using ginger supplements. They could interact with blood thinners and medications for diabetes and high blood pressure.

How to tell if pickled ginger went bad? ›

To tell if pickled ginger has gone bad, check it for signs of mold or discoloration. If the ginger has a slimy texture, a pungent, sour smell, or no smell at all, it is likely bad and should be discarded.

Should pickled ginger be white or pink? ›

A: The white ginger you see in the stores is the pickled version without any added colors. The bright pink ginger you see on the store shelves are not naturally pink. They are dyed using food color or beetroot extracts to develop an attractive hue.

Can you cut mold off ginger? ›

The short answer is no. When ginger displays mold, it's a clear sign that it has gone bad and should be discarded. Moldy ginger can develop a sour or unpleasant smell, and its texture might become soft or squishy. Consuming moldy ginger can pose health risks, including exposure to harmful mycotoxins.

Is pickled and fermented the same thing? ›

An easy way to remember the difference between the two despite their overlap is that pickling involves putting food into an acidic brine to produce a sour flavor, whereas fermenting gives food a sour flavor without any added acid. Pickling is often the least healthy choice in terms of these two foods.

What is another name for pickled ginger? ›

Pickled ginger is called gari or amazu shoga in Japanese. It's served with sushi or sashimi and helps enhance the flavors and clear your taste buds. It's also great with Century Eggs, a Chinese delicacy.

Can you use pickled ginger in place of fresh ginger? ›

Pickled ginger can be used in place of regular ginger in most recipes, so long as you take the extra acidity into consideration.

Are pickled onions considered fermented? ›

Are pickled onions the same as fermented? In a word, no. Pickling can often be used (or confused) with fermented, but pickled foods are made quickly in vinegar, a sweetener, salt and spices vs fermented foods sit for some time and ferment, thus forming beneficial bacteria that is said to be good for the gut.

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