Simple Kimchi Recipe (2024)

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to read my affiliate policy.
Simple Kimchi Recipe (1)

Spicy and complex in flavor, this easy kimchi recipe is a tasty (and affordable) way to add gut-nourishing probiotics to your plate.

Kimchi is the oldest traditional food in Korea, dating to around 37 BC – 7 AD. It’s actually the countries national food, and if you’ve ever tasted it before you know why. If not, you’re in for a treat!

Once your batch is ready, you can eat it straight or try it with:

  • Asian beef noodle soup
  • Stir fry’s
  • Soups and stews (stir some in to spice things up)
  • Rice bowls
  • Fried rice
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Dumplings
  • Pork tenderloin with kimchi and apples (use avocado oil instead of canola)

Tips for Making Good Kimchi

Though this recipe is simple, there is some science to it. Here are some tips for making amazing kimchi:

  • Use what’s fresh and in-season – Like with any recipe, the fresher the food is, the better.
  • Check the kimchi often – The temperature of the room affects how long it takes to ferment. To get the perfect taste, wait one week and then test every day or every other day.
  • Be sure to keep the cabbage fully submerged in the brine to avoid mold growth.

If you follow these tips, you’ll have a tasty and healthy side dish to share with family and friends!

Print Pin

3.55 from 11 votes

Simple Kimchi Recipe

A spicy fermented vegetable dish to serve with meat, rice, or vegetables.

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 days days 1 hour hour

Servings 4 cups

Calories 81kcal

Author Heather Dessinger

Equipment

  • quart-size mason jars or Weck jars

  • glass fermenting weights

  • lids with airlocks (optional, you can also use regular lids and burp the jars)

Ingredients

  • 1 large napa cabbage*
  • 2 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 bunch green onions (minced)
  • 3 medium carrots (peeled and grated)
  • 1 small small daikon radish or Korean radish
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 inch fresh ginger (peeled and minced)
  • 3/4 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Remove one of the outer leaves of the Napa cabbage and set aside.

  • Core the cabbage and cut into approximately 2-inch by 2-inch pieces.

  • Place cabbage pieces in a large bowl, sprinkle salt on the leaves, then toss to mix.

  • Set aside and allow to rest 30 minutes so the salt can pull moisture from the cabbage.

  • While the cabbage is resting, mince the green onion, peel and grate the carrots and daikon radish, and peel and mince the garlic and ginger.

  • After the 30 minutes are up, use a wooden pounder or clean hands to gently mash the cabbage leaves to further release juices.

  • Add the remaining vegetables, the fish sauce, and the red pepper flakes to the bowl of cabbage and mix.

  • Pack the kimchi mixture tightly into a sterilized quart-sized wide-mouth jar, filling to 1 inch below the top.

  • Fold the reserved outer leaf of the cabbage to fit on top of the kimchi mixture and press it down so that the brine covers the leaf.

  • Top with a glass fermenting weight to keep the mixture below the brine.

  • If you need more liquid to cover the cabbage, simply add a little filtered water to the top.

  • Seal the jar, place it out of direct light, and allow it to ferment for 3 to 21 days, occasionally opening the lid to release pressure. Add or remove brine as needed throughout fermentation if the level is not maintained at 1-inch below the lip of the jar. You should see occasional tiny bubbles rising along the inner sides of the jar as the veggies begin to ferment.

  • Refrigerate the finished kimchi after fermenting. If you're using a lid with an airlock, replace it with a regular lid before storing it.

  • Serve with beef, chicken, pork, seafood or alongside rice or other vegetables.

Notes

  • Chinese, or Napa, cabbage is the traditional choice for making kimchi, but you can use regular green cabbage as well if you’d like.

If you’re using a regular lid (no airlock) you will need to “burp” your jars periodically, otherwise carbon dioxide levels can build up within your jar and cause it to explode. Check the metal lid every day – if you can’t push it down simply unscrew the lit a bit and then immediately tighten it back down. Using an airlock which allows the gases to release eliminates the need to burp your jars.

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3656mg | Potassium: 931mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 8567IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 1mg

Have you ever fermented food? What’s your favorite fermentation recipe?

Related Posts

  • Preserved Lemon Recipe

  • Tartar Sauce Recipe

  • Easy Breakfast Sausage Recipe

Share with a friend! 👇

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on EmailShare on Telegram
Simple Kimchi Recipe (6)

About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world.

Simple Kimchi Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is kimchi made of recipe? ›

What Is Kimchi Made Of? This recipe starts with two heads of napa cabbage. Rubbing the cabbage with coarse sea salt draws out the excess moisture, extends the shelf life, and adds flavor. You'll also need fish sauce, green onions, white onion, garlic, white sugar, ground ginger, and gochugaru.

Is one day enough to ferment kimchi? ›

The kimchi fermentation process is very short in comparison to making sauerkraut. Kimchi ferments at room temperature in only 1-2 days or more slowly in the refrigerator. For safety, kimchi should be stored refrigerated and is best eaten within 1 week, as the quality of kimchi deteriorates with longer fermentation.

Can kimchi be made without daikon radish? ›

Kimchi is made from three things - vegetables, salt, and a spicy paste. Common vegetables are Napa Cabbage and Daikon radish, but you can make kimchi from cucumber, cauliflower, and even seaweed. Salt is important to keep vegetables nice and crunchy, add flavor, preserve vitamin content and keep out bad bacteria.

How long does homemade kimchi need to ferment? ›

Place the jars on a tray (or plate) in case the juice overflows during fermentation. Let them ferment for about 5 days. Once opened, the jar should be kept in the fridge. If unopened, a jar of kimchi can remain at room temperature for many weeks.

What is the starter in kimchi? ›

Does Kimchi need a starter culture? No, unlike yogurt and cheese cultures, all of the beneficial lactic bacteria needed to kick-start the kimchi fermentation are already present on the surface of the vegetables.

Does kimchi go bad? ›

If you have store-bought kimchi that's been opened, it will be good for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months when refrigerated. Signs of your kimchi going bad include mold growth, an alcoholic smell, and an extremely sour taste.

How to use homemade kimchi? ›

This fermented cabbage dish can be served as a side dish, over a bed of rice, folded into scrambled eggs, whirred into tomato sauce, or even just eaten as is. Here's what to know about kimchi, how to make kimchi, and some of our favorite recipes using it as a deeply flavorful ingredient.

Is homemade kimchi good? ›

Homemade kimchi often offers a fresher and more vibrant taste since you can control the fermentation process and adjust the level of spiciness, tanginess, or other flavors to your liking. It can also provide a sense of satisfaction and pride.

Can fermenting kimchi go wrong? ›

As your JIN Kimchi ferments like any other Kimchi, it starts smelling slightly sour and vinegary, this aroma gets stronger over time and is perfectly normal! However, if your Kimchi starts to smell rotten, it has most likely gone bad.

What happens when you start eating kimchi everyday? ›

Specific kimchi types also showed a positive effect. Three or more daily servings of cabbage kimchi among men was associated with a 10% lower prevalence of overall obesity as well as a 10% lower prevalence of abdominal obesity compared to those who ate less than one serving daily.

What happens if you ferment kimchi for too long? ›

If you prefer a milder flavor or crunchier texture, you may want to discard your kimchi after 3 months. After this point, its taste may change significantly — and it may become mushy. Yet, kimchi may still be safe to eat for up to 3 more months, as long as there's no mold, which indicates spoilage.

How long to salt cabbage for kimchi? ›

The vegetables need to soak in saltwater for at least 6 hours and preferably overnight. The kimchi can sit at room temperature for up to 2 days and is ready to eat after 2 to 3 days. For longer fermentation, refrigerate. It is best eaten within a month.

What does apple do to kimchi? ›

Apples, not only add another texture element to this small batch ferment, but they add a touch of sweetness which mellows the intense pungency that kimchi is known for. If you are a new or first-time kimchi consumer, this is a great recipe for you because its fast, simple, and not as piquant as a conventional method.

Can I use any cabbage for kimchi? ›

Kimchi is traditionally made with napa cabbage, but there's nothing to stop you from using another cabbage! Napa cabbage, Chinese cabbage, green cabbage, savoy cabbage, white cabbage, red cabbage, and bok choy (we could go on and on) are all part of the very large cruciferous family (Brassicaceae).

What is kimchi and how is it made? ›

Kimchi can be made from a variety of vegetables, and even fruits, but the most recognized version — baechu kimchi — is made with cabbage. Alongside cabbage, it often contains radishes, scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and other flavorings. Kimchi has a sour, salty, savory, and often fiery taste.

How to prepare kimchi to eat? ›

Kimchi can be eaten basically however you want. You can eat it cold straight from the container. You can use it as an ingredient in soups, noodles, Korean pancakes, and fried rice. You can even chop it up small, sautee it in butter and add it to things like hotdogs, quesadillas, or grilled cheese.

What are the raw materials for kimchi? ›

Raw materials used to make these kimchi are listed in Table 2. Vegetables most frequently used to make kimchi are cabbage, radish, young radish, cucumber, etc. Important spices used to prepare kimchi are green onion, garlic, red pepper powder, ginger, leek, mustard, black pepper, onion, and cinnamon.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5494

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.