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)
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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 pickled ginger anti-inflammatory? ›

Fermented foods help to regulate gut function, reduce inflammation and boost immunity, and maybe even most importantly they help us make the most of all the food we eat by enhancing our capacity to absorb nutrients. Ginger in particular stimulates circulation, reduces nausea and is an anti-inflammatory herb.

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 it okay to eat a lot of 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.

What is pickled ginger made of? ›

To make sushi ginger, use only young ginger. Thinly slice and pickle it in a sugar and rice vinegar mixture. The sliced ginger will naturally become light pink from the tips of the young ginger (see the photo). Many commercial producers artificially dye the pickled ginger pink.

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 the 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.

Why didn't my pickled ginger turn pink? ›

With huge disappointment I went on line and searched for the answer to learn why some new ginger doesn't turn to pink There were not many helpful answers, but it seems that new ginger has to be very fresh. Fresh ginger has higher anthocyanin content than ginger that has been stored for weeks.

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.

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 happens to your body when you eat ginger everyday? ›

Ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerol that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Regular consumption may help reduce inflammation in the body. Ginger is known for its ability to alleviate nausea and aid in digestion. Consuming ginger can help reduce indigestion, bloating, and gas.

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.

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.

Can you eat pickled ginger daily? ›

*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.

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.

Why does pickled ginger have lead in it? ›

Levels of lead in ginger products reportedly vary a lot by batch and so are most likely due to contamination in processing and packaging plants, most of which are in China where industrial cities are highly contaminated with lead.

What form of ginger is best for inflammation? ›

Participants who ingested two grams of either raw ginger or heated ginger experienced reduced pain and inflammation. Heat-treated ginger was thought to have a stronger effect, but both types of ginger were found to be equally helpful.

Are pickled foods good for inflammation? ›

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF FERMENTED FOODS

Ideal foods and drinks such as fermented tea like kombucha tea, fermented vegetables like kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, or other fermented vegetables may reduce inflammation. Incorporating naturally fermented foods into your diet is important for the health of your gut.

How much ginger do I need to reduce 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 ).

How do you take ginger as an anti-inflammatory? ›

For arthritis, experts recommend about 250 mg of ginger three or four times a day. Although that's less than what's used in studies, it's best to start out with a smaller dose, maybe 200 mg a day, and go up gradually. Don't take more than four grams (4,000 mg) a day.

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