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? ›

Secure lids and allow the jars to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. The pickled ginger, which is ready to eat after several hours, will keep in the refrigerator for up to six months.

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.

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.

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.

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 much is 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 does ginger turn pink when pickled? ›

While the exterior tips of ginger root have a pinkish color, as can be seen above, most of the ginger that's harvested has an off-white or yellow color. However, in the process of adding sugar and vinegar during pickling, the color pigment anthocyanin is activated in fresh ginger and turns it a pale pink.

Can pickled ginger mold? ›

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.

Do I need to refrigerate pickled ginger? ›

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.

Is pickled ginger good for your gut? ›

Digestive Relief

The World's Healthiest Foods suggests that the root contains antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory compounds that improve gastrointestinal distress. Motion sickness and morning sickness in pregnancy may be reduced by consuming any form of ginger, including pickled ginger.

Do Koreans eat pickled ginger? ›

In Korean cuisine, ginger was used with high frequency in pickled dishes in conjunction with many other herbs and spices. Ginger was employed as one of many kinds of herbs used to produce a complex taste and flavor.

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.

Why is my ginger shot pink? ›

When the cream-colored flesh is exposed to the pickling juices, a compound called anthocyanin is activated; if fresh, young ginger is used, this compound naturally gives the ginger a soft pink hue.

Can dogs eat ginger? ›

Good news: Dogs can safely eat ginger, and it can even provide some health benefits. But there are still a few things to be aware of before adding ginger in your dog's diet. Namely, they should have ginger only in tiny amounts, and it needs to be the fresh or powdered kind—not pickled!

Is too much pickled ginger bad for you? ›

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.

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 pickled ginger a healthy snack? ›

While it is often served alongside sushi or sashimi as a palate cleanser, pickled ginger also offers several potential health benefits, including: Digestive Health: Ginger has been shown to have digestive benefits, such as reducing nausea and vomiting, improving gastric emptying, and easing indigestion.

What happens to your body when you eat ginger everyday? ›

Eating ginger every day can regulate the production of insulin in patients with diabetes. Due to the cholesterol-lowering abilities in ginger, it prevents heart-related diseases and strokes. It also prevents the formation of blood clots which can trigger heart attacks.

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