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 the number 1 Korean kimchi? ›

Jongga Brand Reliability

Jongga Kimchi is made in four countries (Korea, China, the US, and Poland) and is consumed in more than 60 countries. Given the market leadership and long-time tradition, Daesang seems very proud of the brand as it introduces Jongga as the 'No. 1 kimchi brand'.

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.

Why do people wear gloves when making kimchi? ›

A few fellow kimchi makers did point out that though they use their hands as well, they opt for wearing a pair of disposable gloves because the seasoning can stain hands and the funky fermented smell can be difficult to wash out.

Do Koreans eat kimchi everyday? ›

Its roots in the culture are deep, and it has been passed down through generations. The fermentation process used in its preparation is part of an age-old preservation technique, which enabled families to have a nutritious food source during the harsh winter months. Koreans eat kimchi everyday.

Do most Koreans make their own kimchi? ›

Forty-three percent of Korean households still make kimchi at home, while the remaining 52 percent purchase it at stores or get it from their acquaintances.

Can too much kimchi be bad for you? ›

However, there were a couple of downsides to eating too much kimchi, her team added. First, the popular side dish contains a lot of salt, which is never great for health. Secondly, beyond the one-to-three servings per day that did show a benefit, eating more kimchi was linked with obesity overall, the study found.

Does kimchi taste stronger after being fermented longer? ›

But if you're looking to whip up a dish with Kimchi, we recommend using fermented Kimchi because it has a stronger flavour. If you need your Kimchi to ferment faster you can leave it out of the fridge for a couple of hours.

Is it okay to make kimchi without radishes? ›

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.

Does homemade kimchi go bad? ›

For long-term storage of kimchi, just keep the vegetables submerged in the brine, and watch out for visible fuzzy mold on top. So long as the surface of the kimchi isn't allowed to dry out and grow mold, kimchi does not go bad. In fact, I've aged my own homemade kimchi for two years and it only got better and better.

How long to salt cabbage for kimchi? ›

We found Korean chili powder (medium or coarsely ground is best for kimchi) and Korean salted shrimp at H Mart in Falls Church. The vegetables need to soak in saltwater for at least 6 hours and preferably overnight.

Why does kimchi make you go to the bathroom? ›

Kimchi can be an excellent alternative to taking laxatives. It has a high fibre content, which helps keep the digestive system in good condition. Many studies have shown that fibre can control constipation, diarrhoea, and other digestive problems.

How to avoid botulism kimchi? ›

Preventing Botulism in Fermented Foods

It is important to follow proper food safety practices, including washing your hands and utensils before handling the food, using clean jars and containers, and monitoring the fermentation process carefully.

How long should I let kimchi ferment at room temperature? ›

In Korea, the mixed kimchi ingredients are usually left at room temperature (20 °C) for one or two days for the growth of microorganisms and then stored at refrigerated conditions (2–6 °C) for fermentation.

What is the most popular type of kimchi? ›

1) Baechu kimchi (Cabbage kimchi): The most typical and popular consumed type of kimchi by Koreans. It is made by preserving cabbage in salt and mixing it with various seasonings such as red pepper powder, garlic, and fish sauce before fermentation.

What is Korean favorite food kimchi? ›

Kimchi (/ˈkɪmtʃiː/; Korean: 김치, romanized: gimchi, IPA: [kim.tɕʰi]) is a traditional Korean side dish (banchan) consisting of salted and fermented vegetables, most often napa cabbage or Korean radish.

What is the kimchi premium in South Korea? ›

The “kimchi premium” refers to the price gap in cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoin, when listed in South Korea versus those listed in U.S. or European exchanges. While this could be seen as an arbitrage opportunity for some, it's not so easy to make a quick buck.

What is the best fermented food in Korea? ›

The most common Korean fermented food products include kimchi, jang, jeotgal, and vinegar. Kimchi, for example, which is considered Korea's signatory fermented food, was historically prepared using various vegetables, including cabbage, sweet potatoes, eggplant, dropwort, radish, leaf mustard, turnip, and lettuce.

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