An Easy Fermented Veggie Recipe To Heal Your Gut (2024)

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Author:

March 07, 2016

Integrative Medicine Doctor

By Amy Shah, M.D.

Integrative Medicine Doctor

Dr. Amy Shah is a double board certified MD with training from Cornell, Columbia and Harvard Universities. She was named one of mindbodygreen's Top 100 Women In Wellness to Watch in 2015 and has been a guest on many national and local media shows.

An Easy Fermented Veggie Recipe To Heal Your Gut (3)

March 07, 2016

Amy Shah, MD, an Ivy League-trained, double board certified physician, is one of the few doctors who masterfully integrates mainstream medicine with Eastern thought and a mind-body approach. This week, we're thrilled to share Dr. Shah's expertise in a new series on total gut health. To learn more, head to her mindbodygreen course: The 7-Day Gut Reset: How To Get Your Digestion Back On Track In Just One Week.

You've probably heard a lot about probiotics, and all their gut-healing powers. But you should also know that you don't have to turn to probiotic supplements or even store-bought foods to reap the benefits. In fact, making your own naturally probiotic foods is surprisingly simple.

When I first started my gut-healing journey, I'd buy my natural fermented foods at health markets, in order to avoid all the added preservatives. Then I realized that sauerkraut and fermented vegetables are super easy (and cheap!) to make at home.

Here's the recipe I recommend:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup salt (pickling salt recommended)
  • 1 gallon water
  • 3 pounds vegetable of choice (cucumbers, carrots, fennel and cabbage all work well)
  • 2 cloves garlic (optional)
  • 1 bunch fresh dill (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine the salt and water in a pitcher, and stir until the salt has dissolved.

2. Rinse the vegetables thoroughly and cut them into spears or small chunks.

3. Place the garlic and dill in an air-tight jar.

4. Add the vegetables to the jar, on top of the garlic and herbs.

5. Pour in the salt-water mixture over the vegetables, completely covering them.

6. Set in a cool, dry place for approximately seven days. You'll know they're ready when they taste sour.

An Easy Fermented Veggie Recipe To Heal Your Gut (4)

Amy Shah, M.D.

Dr. Amy Shah is a double board certified MD with training from Cornell, Columbia and Harvard Universities. She was named one of mindbodygreen's Top 100 Women In Wellness to Watch in 2015 and has been a guest on many national and local media shows. She helps busy people transform their health by reducing inflammation and eating more plants, utalizing the power of the microbiome to help digestion, natural hormone balance and food sensitivities. She is an expert on intermittent fasting for women and has a 2 week guided group program.

Read More About Amy Shah, M.D.

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Functional Nutrition Training

Check out Functional Nutrition Coaching

A cutting-edge nutrition deep dive taught by 20+ top health & wellness experts

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An Easy Fermented Veggie Recipe To Heal Your Gut (5)

Amy Shah, M.D.

Dr. Amy Shah is a double board certified MD with training from Cornell, Columbia and Harvard Universities. She was named one of mindbodygreen's Top 100 Women In Wellness to Watch in 2015 and has been a guest on many national and local media shows. She helps busy people transform their health by reducing inflammation and eating more plants, utalizing the power of the microbiome to help digestion, natural hormone balance and food sensitivities. She is an expert on intermittent fasting for women and has a 2 week guided group program.

Read More About Amy Shah, M.D.

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An Easy Fermented Veggie Recipe To Heal Your Gut (2024)

FAQs

An Easy Fermented Veggie Recipe To Heal Your Gut? ›

For the best results, start by eating one or two servings per day, and then slowly work your way up. Getting probiotics from whole foods is a simple way to take advantage of fermented foods' health benefits while reducing your risk of side effects associated with probiotic use, such as digestive issues ( 45 ).

How to make fermented vegetables for gut health? ›

How to ferment vegetables
  1. Begin by thoroughly sterilising your chosen jar. Wash it with warm soapy water and dry it well. ...
  2. Prep your vegetables. ...
  3. Make a brine. ...
  4. Add your veg to the jar. ...
  5. Pour over the brine. ...
  6. Leave to ferment at room temperature. ...
  7. Pop it in the fridge to finish fermentation.
Apr 7, 2022

What is the best fermented food for your gut? ›

Fermented Foods for Gut Health
  • Miso (refrigerated)
  • Pickles (in salt, not vinegar)
  • Sauerkraut (choose refrigerated)
  • Kimchi.
  • Kombucha (no sugar)
  • Other probiotic drinks (no sugar), like beet Kvass, apple cider.
  • Various other cultured products.
  • You can also easily make fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut at home!
Jun 19, 2019

What is the easiest vegetable to ferment? ›

  1. Cabbage. Cabbage is the perfect vegetable for fermentation, and not without good reason! ...
  2. Carrots. Carrots can be used in all kinds of fermentations, but they also shine on their own! ...
  3. Beets. Beets are great for fermentation! ...
  4. Tomatoes. Managing the abundance of tomatoes in the fall… ...
  5. Cauliflower. ...
  6. Green Beans. ...
  7. Celery. ...
  8. Hot Peppers.

Is it OK to eat fermented vegetables everyday? ›

For the best results, start by eating one or two servings per day, and then slowly work your way up. Getting probiotics from whole foods is a simple way to take advantage of fermented foods' health benefits while reducing your risk of side effects associated with probiotic use, such as digestive issues ( 45 ).

How long does it take to heal your gut with fermented foods? ›

One small study of 36 participants showed that when people eat a diet rich in fermented foods, they have increased diversity of gut microbes and decreased signs of inflammation in just 10 weeks. “Fermented foods can support a healthy gut microbiome and may improve inflammation,” Mallik says.

What are examples of fermented vegetables? ›

Taste some of the fermented vegetable products out there to find types you enjoy eating. Most grocery stores in the U.S. carry sauerkraut, kimchi, and naturally fermented cucumber pickles in the refrigerated section. At health food stores you might find fermented radish, carrot, beet, turnip, and other root vegetables.

What is the easiest fermented food to eat? ›

The 5 easiest fermented foods to make at home
  1. Kefir. Topping our list is kefir, a nutritious cultured dairy drink. ...
  2. Yogurt. Homemade yogurt is a wholesome food, rich in nutrients. ...
  3. Kefir Soda. Kefir Soda is a probiotic, refreshing, naturally effervescent drink. ...
  4. Sauerkraut. ...
  5. Kimchi.
May 26, 2023

Is apple cider vinegar considered a fermented food? ›

Apple cider vinegar is made through a process called fermentation. The process has two steps. First, the apples are crushed and yeast is added to speed up the fermentation process, so the sugar converts into alcohol after a few weeks.

Who should not eat fermented foods? ›

People Who Shouldn't Eat Fermented Foods
  • People with Histamine Intolerance. ...
  • People with Compromised Immune Systems. ...
  • Children and Pregnant Women. ...
  • People with Digestive Disorders. ...
  • People on a Strict Sodium-Restricted Diet. ...
  • Gas and Bloating. ...
  • Diarrhea. ...
  • Allergic Reactions.
Mar 15, 2023

Do you refrigerate fermented vegetables? ›

MYTH #2: Fermented Vegetables Must Be Stored in the Refrigerator. Fact: Fermented vegetables were actually born as a method of food preservation in the absence of refrigeration. A cool place is all that is required. This could be a basem*nt, a root cellar, or cold pantry.

What is the quickest thing to ferment? ›

Vegetables are possibly the easiest and quickest fermentation: cut the vegetables, place in glass jars and submerge completely in the brine for 1-2 days until fermented (you'll know it's ready once the ferment has developed a ˜tangy' taste). Then, keep the jar in cold storage.

Can you ferment store bought vegetables? ›

Generally, any firm, fresh, raw, pesticide-free vegetable is suitable for fermentation.

How to ferment vegetables for gut health? ›

Fermenting vegetables is relatively easy, and you only need a jar with some salt and water. Salt and water combined make brine, which aids in the fermentation process. Use a regular wide-mouth mason jar. Prepare the vegetables for fermenting by grating, shredding, chopping, slicing or leaving them whole.

Is sauerkraut or kimchi better for you? ›

Even without the varieties, kimchi has more basic ingredients than sauerkraut, so this naturally increases its nutritional content and health benefits. And if you like the flavour of your food to be strong, kimchi is your best friend!

What food is highest in probiotics? ›

Here are some fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics, and some ways to try them with your family.
  • Yogurt and kefir (milk or non-dairy based, such as soy, coconut, and water) ...
  • Sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles. ...
  • Miso, tamari (soy) ...
  • Tempeh (soy) ...
  • Kombucha. ...
  • Sour cream, cottage cheese, aged cheese.

How long do homemade fermented vegetables last? ›

Fermented foods that are properly prepared and stored in a cool, dark place (like the refrigerator) can last at least 4-18 months. Always look for any signs of mold, an even color throughout, and make sure it still looks edible. Use your nose to see if it still smells as it should, and doesn't have a bad smell.

What is the most important ingredient in fermented vegetable processing? ›

Salt. Salt provides many functions in the fermentation process: Allows needed water and sugars to be pulled from the vegetables that are used as nutrients by fermenting organisms. Favors the growth of fermenting organisms over spoilage bacteria, yeast, and mold as well as harmful bacteria.

Do different fermented vegetables have different probiotics? ›

Do fermented foods contain probiotics? The quick answer to this question is no – fermented foods are generally not sources of probiotics. Despite the popular assertion to the contrary, very few fermented foods contain microbes that fit the criteria to be called probiotic.

What is the best salt for fermenting vegetables? ›

One of the best types of salt to ferment with is sea salt. Sea salt contains several nutrients, including trace amounts of magnesium, potassium and calcium. Picking salt and Kosher salt are also good to use. The type of salt you should avoid in fermentation is Iodized salt.

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