Cook, Learn, and Share to Fight Hunger.
 
Vegetable Sides

Easy Kimchi

2 QT
Gluten-Free Diet, Vegan Diet, Korean Cold Cuisine

Kimchi is a wonderfully delicious, healthy, and incredibly versatile Korean staple. While making kimchi might seem daunting, this recipe simplifies the process, though it does require some patience for the magic of fermentation to happen over a few days. Beyond its fantastic tangy, spicy flavor, kimchi is packed with nutrients...

Read more

... and beneficial probiotics. It's incredibly easy to make at home, and you'll love having it on hand as a vibrant side dish with rice and protein, or adding it to elevate soups, scrambled eggs, or even create amazing fried rice!

Read less
1x (write a review)
x saved
ChefLynn ChefLynn Cool Cook
April 15, 2025
Easy Kimchi in the mixing bowl serrounded with napa cabbage and other ingredients
  • 120 min.
  • 5 d
  • 2/5
Print

Ingredients:

Tools:

Directions:

1. Prepare Cabbage:

Let’s start with preparation of Easy Kimchi.

  • Peel the daikon and set it aside.
  • Cut the cabbage in half, then in quarters, and remove the core from the center.
  • Cut the quarters of cabbage into 1 ½ to 2 inch pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.

2. Salt and Soak Cabbage:

  • Sprinkle all the salt over the cabbage and massage it in well.
  • The cabbage should begin to release some liquid.
  • Cover the cabbage with distilled or filtered water and place a plate on top, making sure all the cabbage is submerged.
  • Allow the cabbage to soak in the brine for 1 – 2 hours.

3. Prepare Other Vegetables and Paste:

While the cabbage soaks prep the other vegetables.

  • Cut the daikon into planks about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick and cut the planks into sticks also about ⅛ to ¼ inch and set aside.
  • Cut the scallions into 1 to 1 ½ inch long pieces and optionally cut those in half lengthwise then set aside.
  • Grate the ginger and garlic on a microplane, fine grater, or puree using a food processor.
  • Mix together the ginger, garlic, sugar, and fish sauce to form a paste.
  • Add in the chili flakes – use as much or as little as you like – I recommend at least 1 TBSP.

4. Rinse Cabbage:

  • After the cabbage has soaked for at least 1 and up to 2 hours pour off the brine, rinse in cold water 3-4 times.
  • Drain well, and squeeze or press out any excess water.

5 Combine Ingredients:

  • In a large mixing bowl add the dressing, cabbage, daikon, and scallions.
  • Mix everything together well gently massaging the dressing into the vegetables.
  • I like to use gloves for this as the mixture may stain your hands and could burn from the chili flakes.

6. Pack Kimchi into Jars:

  • Once the vegetables are well coated in the dressing and have started to release some liquid pack it into 32 FL OZ mason jars or other large containers.
  • Be sure to really pack it in, use a clean rubber spatula to press it down.
  • Once all the kimchi is in jars, add some of the liquid from the bowl to make sure all the vegetables are submerged.

7. Cover Jars for Fermentation:

  • Cover the jars – I like to put a piece of plastic wrap and then the ring from the canning lid on so that some of the gas can escape a little more easily.
  • If you only have 1-piece lids, that is fine; you can just put the lid on.
  • Place the jars on a plate, tray, or shallow bowl to catch any liquid that may leak out as the kimchi ferments.

8. Daily Fermentation Maintenance:

  • Once a day open the jars and using a clean spoon or rubber spatula press the kimchi down to release any air bubbles and make sure everything is submerged.

9. Taste and Refrigerate:

  • On day 2 you can start tasting the kimchi to see if you like the flavor.
  • When it is to your liking you can put it in the refrigerator.
  • I like to let it ferment at room temperature for at least 5 days but often leave it for 7.

10. Enjoy Easy Kimchi:

  • You can eat it right away or give it a week or two in the fridge first.
  • The longer it sits the better it gets!
About the Author:
ChefLynnCool Cook
# 3
  • Published Recipes: 23
  • Av. Recipe Evaluation:
  • Location: Florida, USA
  • Member since: 2024-09-08
Profile & Recipes

Disclaimer

  1. General Information Content on this page above, including the content provided on www.CookingHub.com, including all recipes, articles, and other materials, is for general informational purposes only. This content reflects the personal opinions and experiences of its authors and is not intended to provide professional dietary, medical, legal, or political advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information presented here.
  2. Content Ownership and Use Content on this page above, including content published on CookingHub.com is owned by the individual authors who created it. Only the authors can access, modify, or delete their content from the platform. Our content may be embedded on third-party websites and blogs without modification. No reimbursement will be provided for this use. If an author removes content from CookingHub.com, it will no longer be available through any embedded links.
  3. Limitation of Liability Neither www.CookingHub.com (operated by the CookingHub Foundation) nor content authors are responsible for any outcome or consequence resulting from the use of information on this site. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Food Safety: Any health risk related to food handling, food quality, or failure to follow USDA recommendations (including minimum safe cooking temperatures).
    • Preparation Safety: The proper and safe handling of cooking equipment or its suitability for any given task.
    • Recipe Outcomes: The final look, taste, or success of following a recipe.
    • Ingredients and Equipment: The sourcing of ingredients, tools, equipment, or anything else related to the preparation and consumption of food.
    • Nutritional and Dietary Information: The accuracy of nutritional data. This information is provided as a courtesy and should not replace advice from a medical provider. You are responsible for verifying that a diet is suitable for your personal health needs.
    • Errors and Omissions: Any potential errors, typos, or unclear directions in articles and recipes.
  4. User Responsibility All readers, visitors, and users of embedded content are solely responsible for evaluating recipes and articles. You must make your own decisions about whether to follow the steps and recommendations provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that ingredients and preparation methods are safe and appropriate for your personal dietary restrictions and health conditions.