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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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.
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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.
Yes, it offers you a variety of health benefits as it contains antioxidants like gingerol and holds anti-inflammatory properties which help prevent cancer, support brain health and joint health, and provide you relief from gastrointestinal issues.
Overall, pickled ginger can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. If you are considering eating it every day, it's important to be mindful of the sodium and sugar content and any potential gastrointestinal issues you may experience.
Make the pickling brine: Combine the vinegar, water, and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour the brine over the ginger, filling the jar to within 1/2 inch of the top. You might not use all the brine.
Open the jar and give it a good whiff. If it has gone bad, it will likely smell rancid. If it still smells good, go ahead and taste a small piece. As long as it still tastes gingery and slightly sweet, your sushi ginger is still good.
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.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors. DO NOT take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.
Over 60 drug interactions are reported with ginger, and may include anticoagulants like warfarin, aspirin, or other blood thinners and pain medicines like morphine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
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.
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.
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.
Many of ginger's vitamins and minerals are heat-sensitive. Accordingly, eating ginger raw is the best way to get the most out of it. Gingerol, the nutritious and spicy compound found in the root, is highly concentrated in its raw form.
*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.
Pickled ginger is believed to be a Japanese tradition that helps keep flavors pure. Pickled ginger is recommended if you are switching between sushi types. Pickled ginger is spicy and acidic, which can help to reduce the intensity of seafood. Gari's natural sweetness and juiciness balance the fishy flavor of raw fish.
Pickled ginger, or sushi ginger, is called gari or shin-shoga no amazu-zuki in Japanese. It's served with sushi or sashimi; the ginger's spiciness and sweet vinegar flavor cleanse the palate in between eating different types of sushi, allowing you to enjoy the taste of different kinds of fish and rolls.
Pickled ginger typically maintains its best quality for 1 to 2 months when stored in the refrigerator. This period can extend significantly if the ginger is kept in an airtight container, as exposure to air can diminish its quality. At room temperature, its quality degrades much faster.
You can also preserve peeled and cut ginger by storing it in submerged in a neutral alcohol (such as vodka) or by pickling it, as with this recipe for Pickled Ginger (pictured above). Preserved and pickled ginger will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
The concentrated solution of vinegar and sugar plays a key role in pickled ginger's taste and preservation - the US-based Produce for Better Health Foundation says peeled, refrigerated ginger lasts in the fridge for 2-3 weeks, but tightly sealed pickled ginger can keep in the fridge for several months.
This raw, sugar-free version of the classic Japanese pickled ginger takes only a few minutes to prepare, is ready to eat immediately and will last for two months in the refrigerator.
Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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