Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

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Sushi without pickled ginger wouldn’t be the same. But did you know that you can easily make your own pickled ginger? It’s cheap, easy, and so satisfying!

Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (1)

As I promised in the ginger beer post,this is the recipe for homemade gari (pickled ginger).

You can start from scratch with the ginger root, or if you’ve made the ginger beer, then we’re working with the leftover ginger slices.

I’ve included both ways in the recipe box below. The main difference is that when we’re working with the leftover ginger slices, then we’re not adding any additional sugar in the liquid.

I love the combination of making ginger beer syrup first and then using the ginger slices for the pickled ginger. You get two for one :)

Eating sushiwithout some pickled ginger is just not the same because it adds suchan essentialflavor to it. Sometimes I even snack just the plain pickled ginger pieces. Don’t judge. I’m sure you have weird habits too.

Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2)

As you can see, the ginger isn’t pink like most store-bought versions. Normally only very young ginger roots produce pink pickled ginger. Store-bought pickled ginger is oftentimes artificially colored to get the color that we are used to. You could use some beet juice to color them naturally if you’d like that but I left mine white/yellow because I think pickled ginger is pretty in its natural color.

Have you ever looked at the ingredients of pickled ginger? There are LOTS OF e-numbers, preservatives, and ingredients I can’t pronounce. So making pickled ginger yourself at home is a great alternative and you know exactly what’s in there. Yay!

Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (3)

How to make Pickled Ginger

The Ingredients & possible substitutes

You’ll only need a handful of ingredients:

  • ginger root – 200 g of ginger root is enough for 1/2 cup of pickled ginger
  • water
  • rice vinegar – I am using white rice vinegar. Brown rice vinegar would also be fine.
  • sugar – I am using white sugar but can also use dextrose or brown sugar.
  • salt

The Basic Steps

As always you can find the whole recipe below in the box. I want to show you the basic steps first, though.

  • Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (4)
  • Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (5)
  • Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (6)
  • Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (7)
Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (8)

Step 3: Then fill the ginger and liquid into a jar, close the lid, let it cool off. Then store it in the fridge. The ginger will last for months. Let it pickle at least overnight before using the ginger.

Good to know

How do you eat sushi with ginger? Pickled Ginger is used as a palate cleanser between sushi servings, so you are not meant to lay ginger on sushi. I will not call the sushi police if you don’t follow this etiquette.

Why is pickled ginger pink? If you use young ginger roots, they have a pinkish tint which is enhanced further by pickling. Because of this people expect pickled ginger to be pink, that’s why pickled ginger is most often artificially or naturally dyed (e.g. with beetroot juice).

How long does pickled ginger last? If you only use clean utensils to spoon out the pickled ginger that you need, it will last up to six months. Make sure the pickled ginger is covered with the liquid when you put it back into the fridge.

Serve it with…

  • Vegan Sushi Bowl
  • Avocado Sushi
  • Teriyaki Jackfruit Sushi Bowl
  • Enoki California Roll

Love it? Rate it!

I hope you enjoy this pickled ginger as much as I do! If you like it, please let me know. It always makes my day to hear good reviews!
I’m onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram,Pinterest,andYouTube! Let’s connect <3

Cheers, Bianca

Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (9)

Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (10)

Pickled Ginger

Elephantastic Vegan

Sushi without pickled ginger wouldn't be the same. But did you know that you can easily make your own pickled ginger? It's cheap, easy, and so satisfying!

3.72 from 14 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Basics, Condiment

Cuisine Japanese, Vegan

Servings 1 cup

Calories 211 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 large ginger root (200g)
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

If you start from scratch and haven't made the ginger beer:

  • Peel the ginger and slice it with a vegetable peeler into super thin pieces.

  • In a pot, heat the water, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and ginger slices. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

  • Put everything in a jar, close it, let it cool off, and store it in the fridge. Let it pickle at least overnight and then use it for your favorite dishes! It will keep in the fridge for months.

If you have the ginger slices leftovers from making the ginger beer recipe:

  • In a small pot, heat 1/4 cup of rice vinegar and 3/4 cup of water, and 1 teaspoon salt (So everything except the sugar). Bring it to a boil.

  • Place the ginger slices in a jar. Pour the liquid over the ginger slices, close the jar, let it cool off, and place it in the fridge. Let it pickle at least overnight.

Notes

Storage: Store the pickled ginger in an air-tight jar, in the fridge. This way it will last for a few months.

Nutrition

Calories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2337mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 1gSugar: 50gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

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Pickled Ginger Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to eat pickled ginger everyday? ›

*Eating pickled ginger every day alleviates symptoms of cold, cough, flu, joint pain, and indigestion. *Contains bioactive compounds, such as gingerol, shogaols, and zingiberene which demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties thereby helping to reduce inflammation in the body and boost immunity.

How long does homemade pickled ginger last? ›

Keep the pickled ginger in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one year. Always use clean utensils to remove the pickled ginger from the jar to avoid contamination and to help them keep for a long time.

What is the point of pickled ginger? ›

Pickled ginger is mainly used to cleanse the palate. In ancient times, gari was used for its antimicrobial properties. Raw seafood is often the main ingredient in traditional sushi.

Is pickled ginger the same as preserved ginger? ›

Pickled: Ginger root preserved in vinegar and often served as an accompaniment to sushi, a Japanese delicacy. Preserved: A confection, not a spice. Ginger root is packed in heavy sugar syrup.

What medications should not be taken with ginger? ›

Possible Interactions

Blood-thinning medications: Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Diabetes medications: Ginger may lower blood sugar.

What happens if you eat too much pickled ginger? ›

Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.

Why didn't my pickled ginger turn pink? ›

With huge disappointment I went on line and searched for the answer to learn why some new ginger doesn't turn to pink There were not many helpful answers, but it seems that new ginger has to be very fresh. Fresh ginger has higher anthocyanin content than ginger that has been stored for weeks.

Can you eat pickled ginger raw? ›

This raw, sugar-free version of the classic Japanese pickled ginger takes only a few minutes to prepare, is ready to eat immediately and will last for two months in the refrigerator.

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 do Japanese eat 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.

Is pickled ginger anti inflammatory? ›

Fermented foods help to regulate gut function, reduce inflammation and boost immunity, and maybe even most importantly they help us make the most of all the food we eat by enhancing our capacity to absorb nutrients. Ginger in particular stimulates circulation, reduces nausea and is an anti-inflammatory herb.

Is pickled ginger good for the gut? ›

Improves digestion

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. Ginger microbes can boost gut microbiota that can prevent disease and improve overall health.

What is the best quality ginger in the world? ›

Cochin Ginger is widely considered to be one of the Finest in the world, commanding a Premium Price, because of its Lemon-Like Flavor, Low Fiber Content and High Moisture Content. The principal Markets of Cochin Quality Dried Ginger are the Middle East (particularly Saudi Arabia), USA, UK and The Netherlands.

Should I keep pickled ginger in the fridge? ›

Pickled ginger should be kept in a cool, dark place until you are ready to open it, such as a pantry or cabinet. After opening, pickled ginger should be kept in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container as you would with other condiments.

What are the three types of ginger? ›

Top 5 ginger varieties and their usage
  • Common ginger. Also known as Indian or Chinese ginger, it is one of the types of ginger that is widely used in curries, stews, and soups all over Asia. ...
  • Galangal. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Peaco*ck ginger. ...
  • White ginger.
Dec 11, 2020

Are pickled ginger healthy? ›

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. Ginger microbes can boost gut microbiota that can prevent disease and improve overall health.

Is it OK to eat pickled ginger? ›

Today, we know ginger has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and other beneficial functions for our body (1). Enjoyed on sushi, in kimchi, or a variety of other dishes, pickled ginger is a great source of many nutrients and disease-preventing compounds.

Is sliced pickled ginger good for you? ›

Pickled ginger, the delicate slices often served with sushi, is another option. The sweet-tart-spicy condiment provides the healthy components of ginger together with the probiotic benefit of pickles. And, compared to other pickled items, pickled ginger is not as high in sodium.

Does pickled ginger settle your stomach? ›

"Ginger has been found to reduce symptoms of nausea, especially in pregnancy," says Palinski-Wade. Pickled ginger, the kind that usually comes with sushi, may also help. "For symptoms of nausea, foods that are easy on the stomach, usually low-fat foods or ginger ale, can be helpful," says Hanauer.

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