Korean Kimchi Recipe (2024)

Author: Peter Kolesnichenko · Published: · Modified:

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It's really easy to follow this Fermented Korean Kimchi Recipe, and your health will thank you. Naturally fermented, full of probiotics and vitamins. Made with spicy Gochujang Red Chili Paste.

Korean Kimchi Recipe (1)
Korean Kimchi Recipe (2)
Korean Kimchi Recipe (3)

It's really easy to follow this Fermented Korean Kimchi Recipe, and your health will thank you. When I wasyoung I feltinvincible, eatingwhatever I liked, usually. As Igrew older and maybe wiser and couldn't keep up with the twenty-somethings anymore, myinterest in health miraculously came alive. So how can I combine my love of cooking with the added benefits of probiotics and natural health?

A Korean Kimchi recipe. I love spicy foods and Asian foods, so this isa marriage made in heaven for me!Koreans have eaten Kimchee for over a thousandyears, and annually eat over 40 pounds per person! Lucky for me, it's not hard to make, lasts a long time, and I believe will improve my health and boost my immune system. The best part is because I made it, I know exactly what went into it. And it makes a delicious Kimchi Fried Rice recipe.

Kimchi Recipe with Gochujang Paste

Traditionally Kimchi is made by covering the whole pieces of napa cabbage with the spicy Gochujang paste, or Gochugaru (red pepper flakes). Either spice will work, I use the paste.I prefer to chop the cabbage into small manageable pieces. This doesn't impact the fermentation in any way, it's just easier to use as a condiment. You can find Gochujang at any Asian grocer. More and more supermarkets are carrying it in stock now.

In my pantry I had a 1kg bag of Himalayan Salt, and that is perfectly acceptable to use instead of regular salt. As I always say, use what you've got! If sodium levels are a concern in your diet, use kosher salt, as it has a lower milligram amount of sodium vs regular salt. I think there's no escaping the salt required in this recipe.

Korean Kimchi Recipe (4)

Kimchi Recipe with Apple

I love this recipe because it doesn't add sugar or honey like some recipes, but naturally adds sweetness with a grated apple. (You could substitute grated pear or nashi pear instead). That's the secret to an authentic Kimchee. I used a lot of carrots in this recipe, asthe carrots I bought were somegiant carrots, so I used them all as I don't like wastage. The photos are very carrot heavy, in hindsight, I should have used less carrot due to the physical size of the carrots.

So what do I do with all this Kimchi? I love adding my Korean Kimchi recipe to my chicken burgers, or you can just eat it as a side with your meal. Plus it makes a killer Kimchi Fried Rice which tastes amazing.

Check Out My Other Fermented Foods

  • Kombucha - Russian Mushroom Tea
  • Real Beet Kvass
  • Fermented Tomatoes
  • Bread Kvass

When you eat this Homemade Korean Kimchi Recipe, your healthwill thank you. Don't be scared to make this, and definitely don't pay supermarket prices for Kimchi. Homemade Kimchi is tastier anyways.Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

Korean Kimchi Recipe (5)
Korean Kimchi Recipe (6)

Korean Kimchi Recipe (7)

Korean Kimchi Recipe + Video

Homemade Kimchi will boost your immune system! Koreans have eaten Kimchee for over a thousand years. Raw and naturally fermented Napa Cabbage, full of natural probiotics and vitamins. An authentic, fermented Korean Kimchi Recipe made with Gochujang Red Chili Paste

4.36 from 37 votes

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Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Fermenting time: 2 days days

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kimchi recipe, Korean Kimchi recipe

Author: Peter Kolesnichenko

Ingredients

  • 1 large Napa Cabbage or 2 smaller Napa cabbages
  • 4 carrots grated
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 knob of ginger, grated approx 75 grams (2.5oz)
  • 1 cup garlic chives (optional) chopped
  • 4 spring onions chopped
  • 1 small daikon cut in 2 inch match sticks
  • ¼ - ⅓ cup Gochujang paste or Korean red pepper powder*
  • 1 apple peeled, cored, and grated
  • 2 tablespoons of fish sauce or soy sauce
  • ¼ cup sea salt

Instructions

  • Remove the cabbage leaves individually, and cut the cabbage leaves into 2 inch pieces, and put into a large bowl.

  • Put ¼ cup of salt into a small bowl of warm water and stir until dissolved.Add the salt water to the bowl of cabbage leaves and mix it up using your hands, ensuring each piece gets a good covering of salty water.

  • Leave the cabbage in the bowl at room temperature for 3-4 hours. The salt will start to draw out the water from the cabbage. You will see a brine in the bottom of the bowl.

  • Strain the cabbage through a colander. Some people quickly rinse it once or twice with water, but not necessary. Put your cabbage back into the bowl.

  • Add the grated carrot, match stick daikon, crushed garlic, grated ginger, garlic chives, grated apple and mix together.

  • Measure ⅓ cup of Gochujang and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce OR soy sauce, and vigorously mix thoroughly until completely covered. I suggest wearing disposable gloves, so the peppers don't burn.

  • Pack Kimchi tightly into glass jars, leaving a few inches from the top. Close lid and allow to sit in a cool dark place for at least 48 hours (longer to increase sourness).Periodically open up the jars to release the pressure that builds up. Bubbles will likely appear, this is normal.When its ready, place in the fridge, where it should last 2 months or more.

Video

Notes

Optional - to give kimchi a redder look with a spicier taste, add 2 tablespoons of the Korean red pepper powder.

The warmer your room is, the quicker the Kimchi will start to ferment. Keep and eye on it and taste it as per your preference. It will keep slowly fermenting in the fridge but at a slower rate. I prefer a fresher and less sour Kimchee, so tend to put it in the fridge after about 48 hours on the counter.

Tried this recipe?Mention @petersfoodadventures or tag #petersfoodadventures!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com

Korean Kimchi Recipe (8)
Korean Kimchi Recipe (9)
Korean Kimchi Recipe (10)

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Korean Kimchi Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Korean kimchi made of? ›

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made with salted and fermented vegetables. Baechu kimchi is the most iconic and is made with napa cabbage, salt, garlic, ginger, scallions, fish sauce and gochugaru (Korean chili flake), which gives it its trademark spiciness and red color.

What are the ingredients of traditional kimchi? ›

How long do Koreans 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.

Is it OK to eat kimchi everyday? ›

Overall, eating up to three servings of kimchi daily was associated with an 11% lower odds for obesity, compared to folks who ate less than one serving daily, Shin's group found. Results varied somewhat based on gender: Women who ate two to three servings daily saw their odds for obesity fall by 8%, the study found.

Is Korean kimchi healthy? ›

Along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, kimchi contains natural probiotic bacteria. If you eat them regularly, the probiotics in fermented foods can be beneficial to your gut microbiome. Studies suggest that eating kimchi on a daily basis could help to improve some digestive problems.

How often do Koreans eat kimchi? ›

Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs released a meaningful report about kimchi consumption among Koreans. It found that the average Korean eats 37 kilograms of kimchi every year.

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.

What is the number 1 Korean kimchi? ›

ABOUT JONGGA

Jongga, Koreans' favorite Kimchi brand of all time, has been elevating the legacy and culture of Kimchi since 1987.

Is kimchi better than sauerkraut? ›

The nutritional value of sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles

Sauerkraut, for example, is a rich source of vitamin C and K, as well as fiber. Kimchi, a Korean staple, contains vitamins A, B, and C, and is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

What is the difference between Japanese and Korean kimchi? ›

Korean kimchi is made with Chinese cabbage, red pepper, garlic, salted fish and ginger, and then stored in clay containers to ferment for at least four weeks. (Korea Food Research Institute) However, Japanese kimchi is made with Chinese cabbage and artificial flavor, skipping the fermentation process.

What does kimchi taste like? ›

But generally, kimchi has a tangy, spicy, and slightly sour taste, with a hint of umami flavor from the fermentation process. Some people compare kimchi's spiciness to that of hot sauce or salsa, but with a more complex and layered flavor profile.

Why do Koreans always eat kimchi? ›

Abstract. Kimchi, the traditional fermented vegetable dish from Korea, has been an integral part of the Korean food culture for thousands of years. Today, it is considered as a symbol of identity for Korean people and is globally appraised as a healthy food.

Is kimchi served hot or cold? ›

So do you eat kimchi hot or cold? If you are eating kimchi because of the amazing live cultures and nutrient availability it offers, we recommend eating it cold. Try some of our own favorite cold kimchi recipes to get started: Cold noodles with kimchi.

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