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

Does ginger lose its nutrients when pickled? ›

Depends on how it is pickled. Ginger pickle can be a healthy addition to your diet when consumed in moderation. Ginger itself offers numerous health benefits, including its potential to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidants. Pickling ginger can help preserve these qualities.

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.

Is pickled ginger anti-inflammatory? ›

Yes, it offers you a variety of health benefits as it contains antioxidants like gingerol and holds anti-inflammatory properties which help prevent cancer, support brain health and joint health, and provide you relief from gastrointestinal issues.

Is it okay to eat a lot of pickled ginger? ›

One must consume pickled ginger cautiously as eating it regularly may trigger some concerning symptoms in certain individuals, said Sarika Kumari, dietician, HCL Healthcare. Many people experience bloating post meals owing to eating too fast or having too much fibre in the meal.

What are the side effects of eating too much ginger? ›

It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects. When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term.

When not to take ginger? ›

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors. DO NOT take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.

Why didn't my pickled ginger turn pink? ›

Many brands of commercially produced gari are colored pink with artificial color or with beet juice, to intensify the color or because the ginger used is too mature to turn pink upon pickling.

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.

What color should pickled ginger be? ›

When traditionally prepared, gari typically has a pale yellow to slightly pink hue from the pickling process. Only very young ginger will develop the slight pink tint naturally.

What medications should not be taken with ginger? ›

by Drugs.com

Over 60 drug interactions are reported with ginger, and may include anticoagulants like warfarin, aspirin, or other blood thinners and pain medicines like morphine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

What does ginger do in a man's body? ›

Lastly and most importantly, ginger can also boost vitality, virility, and vigour in men. Consuming ginger might help boost your sexual health. Ageing men can consume ginger daily to retain their stamina and youthfulness.

What happens if I drink ginger water every day? ›

Gingerol, a compound found in ginger, is an effective antimicrobial and has been found to kill some of the most common oral bacterias. Drinking ginger water every day can help you to keep the bacteria in your mouth under control, preventing bad breath and bacterial infections.

Is pickled ginger a probiotic? ›

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.

How much pickled ginger can I eat per day? ›

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.

Can pickled ginger spoil? ›

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.

Does cooking ginger destroy nutrients? ›

This study found that the longer ginger was cooked, the more its antioxidant activity decreased. It was shown that the free radical scavenging potential of the extract obtained from ginger fried for 15 min was more than four times lower than that of the fresh ginger extract (210 ± 10 µg / ml).

Does pickling affect nutritional value? ›

The Process

There's one more defining thing about vinegar pickling: It involves no fermentation. In addition, vinegar pickled foods lose much of their nutritional value over time. Nonetheless, they stay quite delicious for quite a while.

How do you get the most nutrients out of ginger? ›

To get all the goodness of the ginger, let the slices steep for at least 10 minutes. Ginger tea is a healthier alternative to ginger ale, ginger beer and other commercial canned or bottled ginger beverages. These drinks provide ginger's benefits, but many contain a lot of sugar.

What is the nutritional value of pickled ginger? ›

: PICKLED GINGER
NameAmountUnit
Energy33kcal
Protein0g
Total lipid (fat)0g
Carbohydrate, by difference3.33g
10 more rows

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