EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

This EASY kimchi recipe has a fusion ofAsian and Southwest-inspired flavors. Aspicy, tangy, and oh, so delicious homemade kimchi! This recipetakes very little time to prep and make; the hardest part is waiting for it to ferment.Avegan-friendly, healthy side dish andthe BEST kimchi I’ve ever tasted!

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (1)

An Asian Southwest Fusion EASY kimchi recipe – say what?!! What happened to the Fall food and all things sticky, coffee, and toffee? Well, we’re taking a little sugar break today to feed the gut with the good stuff! No, really! Thishomemade kimchi is gonna do wonders ya’ll!

In fact, I’m kind of giddy for these next few recipes I’m sharing. They are not only easy to make but so so nourishing and with a little cultural/ethnicflair. I’ve found that to be true with many ethnic or ancestral recipes. Like… say…. sushi!!!They have a purpose and function for our overall health and well being. That whole real food focus, ya, it’s smart and just plain tasty.

HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY KIMCHI RECIPE

ASIAN SOUTHWEST FUSION EASY KIMCHI

Today’s easy kimchi recipe was inspired by my love of fermented foods and gut health. Plus, I just can’t get enough of thedifferent flavors of kimchi “style” recipes these days. “I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough.” Who sings that? LOL! Tangent.

But really, the science and nutrition nerd in me geeks out! But also, it’s so needed right now. Restoring the body, mind, and soul takes extra energy and nutrients. And let’s be honest here, our gut can always use extra TLC. Amen?!!

What is kimchi?

So let’s talk kimchi. What is it and what can we benefit from adding it to our diet?

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (2)

Get the KIMCHEE facts:

The main ingredients of kimchi include:

  • napa cabbage or daikon radish
  • green onion
  • sometimes cucumber, and
  • red chili paste (sauce)

Then you can add more spices like ginger, garlic, and authentic Korean chili powder. But these days, there is so much more you can add to this cultural dish. I know, it’s probably sacrilegious, but it’s true.

More on that with my Asian Southwest Fusion easy kimchi recipe below!

What does kimchi taste like?

Kimchitastes kinda like Asian style sauerkraut. Spicy and sour due to the fermentation process, and the kimchifermentation produces live probiotic cultures. The ones that feed your gut with GOOD bacteria.

Kimchi (kimchee) is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties as well as vitamins A, B, and C! Plus, thegood bacteria (as mentioned above) helps with digestion and even fighting yeast overgrowth (like SIBO, leaky gut, etc.)source

Think of kimchi like asuperfood similar to thatof kefir yogurtor kombucha. The longer kimchi ferments, usually the greater the health benefits. And might I add, the spicier it gets, like whoa!

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (3)

Okay, let’s jump to this super duper easy homemade kimchi recipe.

How do you make homemade kimchi?

I tweaked the kimchi a bit, adding roasted southwest peppers (versus another pepper or veggie), but hey, it’s all about the overall result, right? Spicy, flavorful, and nourishing all around!!

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (4)

Grab a knife and some Napa cabbage and let’s cut right to it. See what I did there?

Print

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (5)

Asian Southwest Fusion Easy Kimchi Recipe

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This EASY kimchi recipe has a fusion ofAsian and Southwest flavors. Aspicy, tangy, and oh, so delicious homemade kimchi! Avegan-friendly, paleo, healthy side dish andthe BEST kimchi I’ve ever tasted!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Veggie Base:

  • 1 head of Napa cabbage (Asian)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (see notes for uses)
  • 23 teaspoons sugar (sugar ferments/dissolves which makes it paleo friendly)

Fusion ingredients and Asian spices to blend:

  • 2 roasted red peppers (can be from a jar) or few tablespoons of other pepper (green chiles, jalapeno, etc).
  • 24 tablespoons Korean chili powder (or chili pepper flakes if you can’t find the Korean). Although the taste and spice will be different. See notes for a less spicy version.
  • ¼ cup red onion
  • 2 tablespoon fish sauce (or rice vinegar/GF tamari sauce if vegan)
  • 5 garlic cloves peeled
  • 12 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
  • 1 spring onion – chopped (do not blend, but mix in before sealing)
  • You will also need a large bowl and sterile canning jars.

Instructions

  1. Cut the cabbage vertically. Trim the end. Then cut into 3 or four more sections.
  2. Soak cabbage in sugar/salt mixture to brine. If you are using coarse sea salt, add a little extra salt.
  3. Cover in a bowl and set aside. Let sit at room temperature until cabbage is wilted, at least 2 hours and up to 12. It should release about ¼ to ½ cup liquid.
  4. Reserve 1 -2 tablespoons brine liquid from soak (at the bottom of the bowl).
  5. Next gently rinse off your cabbage with purified water. You will want to wash off the majority of the salt, but not all of it. you need enough salt for the fermentation process.
  6. Squeeze the cabbage over a bowl to get extra juice.
  7. Place cabbage, juice, and 1-2 tablespoons brine in a bowl.
  8. Next, blend your fusion ingredients (spices, peppers, paste). Use afood processor or blender. Keep the green onion for later. Do not blend that.
  9. Mix blended spices/sauce with cabbage and juice/brine in a large bowl. Coat evenly, using clean hands to mix if needed. Mix in the green onion last.
  10. Pack the mixture and all leftover juice/reserve into 1 large mason jar or 2 small jars.
  11. Seal jar tightly and place in a dark area at room temperature for 2-5 days. Check at 2 days and taste to see if it’s to your liking.
  12. You can eat it right away or place in the fridge to ferment for a few more days. Then check it around day 7.
  13. Store in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.I found it tasted best after 4-5 days at 77F. Then I placed it in the fridge for one more day. Enjoyed it all the following week.

Notes

Important Note:

Each batch will probably taste a little different depending on how long you ferment and the amount and type of peppers/spices/salt you use. Test it out a few ways to find your favorite ingredient combo and amount.

  • If you don’t want the kimchi to be super spicy, use less chili powder. Use more for extra spicy! Same goes with the salt, rinse off more if desired, but the flavor will be less potent.
  • Here’s the Korean chili powder I used. Or you can sub with chili pepper flakes. You can also use a different pepper. The mild kind.

Nutritional Information

  • Nutrition shown below is for a 2 oz. serving.
  • Nutrition shown is without fermentation process, so sodium should be reduced a littleafter.
  • Prep Time: 2 hr
  • Category: side
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 oz.
  • Calories: 38
  • Sugar: 5.1g
  • Sodium: 733.3mg
  • Fat: 0.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 8.8g
  • Fiber: 2.6g
  • Protein: 1.6g
  • Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: easy kimchi recipe, homemade kimchi, paleo

If you are looking for substitutions for the Korean Chili Powder, Serious Eats hasgreat tips!

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (6)

Don’t worry, this easy kimchi recipe takes like 10 minutes to make. The hardest part is waiting for cabbage to wilt, and then for the whole batch to ferment. But that’s the KEY for flavor and nourishment. No more instant gratification. Haha. Unless you just want to go buy some. Butthat wouldn’t be fun now, would it? LOL!

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (7)

P.S This homemade kimchi is AWESOME on burgers, in salads, on eggs, and more! YUM!

[Tweet “An #easy kimchi recipe with Asian Southwest Fusion flavors! Simple, #paleo, and a healthy!”]

Ever tried Kimchi or made your own easy kimchi recipe?

If you did, please tell me how you made it! I love more tips too.

Cheers to almost Friday!

EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (8)
EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (9)
EASY Kimchi Recipe with Asian Southwest fusion flavor - Cotter Crunch (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between stir fried kimchi and kimchi? ›

Stir-fried kimchi is sweeter and less pungent in flavor than uncooked kimchi. When frying the kimchi, sugar is added to balance the sour and pungent flavor of the fermented kimchi.

How to use kimchi sauce? ›

Add a dollop to cheese toastie fillings, fold it into homemade slaw, parathas and fried rice, or stir it into hearty stews. Expand your pasta repertoire with Lara Lee's cheesy kimchi linguine, or use the pressure cooker in this easy three step pork belly and kimchi stew.

What do Asians eat with kimchi? ›

As the national dish of South Korea, kimchi is a staple in kitchens around the world. This fermented cabbage 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.

Why is kimchi crunchy? ›

The fermentation process involves lacto-fermentation, where natural bacteria on the vegetables convert sugars into lactic acid, creating a tangy flavor and preserving the vegetables. Fermented kimchi is known for its distinctive flavor, spicy kick, and crunchy texture.

Is it better to eat kimchi raw or cooked? ›

Eating kimchi hot or cold for health benefits

The answer to “do you eat kimchi hot or cold” is really about health, not flavor. Kimchi tastes great cooked into almost anything. But heating kimchi kills the healthy, helpful bacteria that are a product of the fermentation process.

How long does kimchi last in the fridge? ›

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.

Can you eat kimchi straight from the jar? ›

What else can I do with kimchi besides eating it straight from the jar while the refrigerator door is open?" Korean cuisine offers a whole range of dishes that incorporate kimchi and its brining liquid (sometimes referred to as its "juice"), including soups, stews, noodles, and savory pancakes.

Can you eat too much kimchi? ›

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.

Do you serve kimchi hot or cold? ›

You can eat kimchi straight out of the fridge, or you can throw it in a small skillet and heat it up with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of vegetable oil. It tastes great both ways! Some people prefer the cold, spicy taste, while others find the tangy texture best when heated up.

What can go wrong making kimchi? ›

12 Mistakes You Must Avoid When Making Kimchi
  • Using Store-Bought Kimchi Paste. ...
  • Buying Low-Quality Ingredients For Your Kimchi Paste. ...
  • Forgetting To Taste Your Kimchi Paste. ...
  • Settling For Low-Quality Produce. ...
  • Not Brining Your Produce. ...
  • Over-Salting Your Produce. ...
  • Cutting Your Produce The Wrong Size. ...
  • Not Using Enough Kimchi Paste.
Jan 27, 2024

What makes kimchi taste better? ›

The use of bold seasonings like gochugaru and, in some regions, salted seafood, offer additional layers of complexity to the overall taste of the kimchi.

Why does my kimchi not taste good? ›

If you leave kimchi outside of the fridge, over time it will become over-fermented and won't taste so great anymore. What are the health benefits of eating kimchi?

Does stir fried kimchi have probiotics? ›

Kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish that can add a spicy, tangy kick to your meals. Although it can be high in sodium, it also serves up the good-for-you probiotics, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your body ward off illness and stay healthy.

Is there a difference between kimchi and fermented kimchi? ›

The biggest difference between fresh and fermented Kimchi is the taste. Fresh Kimchi is more like a salad, so it taste more raw, fresh and crunchy. Fermented Kimchi is softer and tangy.

What does frying kimchi do? ›

Kimchi is a popular Korean side dish featuring fermented cabbage. Other vegetables can be used and applied with the same fermentation process to produce a similar taste and different textures. In this recipe, I fry some kimchi to completely alter the taste and texture for a smoky doppelganger!

Is all kimchi made the same? ›

There are more than 200 variations of kimchi; the types of ingredients and the preparation method have a profound impact on the taste.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 6173

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.