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.

Can I use regular vinegar to pickle ginger? ›

Pickled Ginger Ingredients

First, see if you can find young ginger rather than mature ginger. If not, don't worry – just take a look at the notes below! Secondly, rice vinegar is the traditional ingredient used. But you could always sub apple cider vinegar if you're grain-free.

Does ginger lose its nutrients when pickled? ›

Pickled ginger is low in calories and filled with the same health-promoting nutrients as fresh ginger, making it a healthy addition to your diet.

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.

Is pickled ginger good for your gut? ›

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.

How to tell if pickled ginger is 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.

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.

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.

Should pickled ginger be white or pink? ›

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.

Is sushi ginger the same as pickled ginger? ›

Gari is often served and eaten after sushi, and is sometimes called sushi ginger. It may also simply be called pickled ginger. In Japanese cuisine, it is considered to be essential in the presentation of sushi.

Is pickled ginger better than fresh 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.

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.

Is pickled ginger anti-inflammatory? ›

The World's Healthiest Foods suggests that the root contains antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory compounds that improve gastrointestinal distress.

Why is ginger good for men? ›

Ginger has also been found to increase blood flow. An in vitro study (a study not done on humans or animals) showed that ginger can also prevent blood clots and help dilate the blood vessels. Studies have found a connection between higher blood pressure and a higher risk of sexual dysfunction in men.

What is the healthiest way to consume ginger? ›

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. It may be better to limit these to occasional treats or choose sugar-free options.

Is pickled ginger antibacterial? ›

Nutrition. The spicy component contained in ginger, gingerol, has antibacterial properties and can also aid digestion and absorption of nutrients.

How much ginger should I take daily for inflammation? ›

One study in 120 people with osteoarthritis found that taking 1 gram of ginger extract per day for 3 months effectively reduced inflammation and decreased levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a key role in the inflammatory process ( 6 ).

Can pickled ginger lower cholesterol? ›

High levels of cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Some studies suggest that adding ginger to your diet can help reduce not only LDL cholesterol but also total cholesterol and triglycerides.

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