15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (2024)

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15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (1)

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Fermented foods have started gaining traction, not just because they’re tasty, but also because according to WebMD, they could be good for our digestive systems, potentially reducing risk of diseases like diabetes and IBS. Fermented drinks like kombucha are on all the grocery shelves, and people have even been purchasing their own scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) to make kombucha at home, which made us wonder — what other fermented foods are totally attainable for the home chef?

It turns out plenty! The internet has seemingly endless resources for whatever kind of fermented food you’re interested in trying. Sauerkraut? Yep. Kimchi? Of course. But even foods you may not have considered for fermenting are possibilities, like ketchup or jalapeños.

We rounded up the fermented recipes that sounded the most interesting to try, like blueberry kefir and cinnamon roll sourdough. Get them right, and we’ll have some of the happiest guts around. Get them wrong, and… well, there’s always the grocery store.

A version of this article was originally published June 2018.

  • Kimchi

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (4)

    Kimchi is a Korean dish of spicy fermented vegetables, usually cabbage or radish. This recipe uses cabbage. You’ll want to start the fermenting process about a week before you plan to eat it.

  • Miso

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (5)

    Miso is fermented soybeans and barley or rice malt, most often used in Japanese cooking, and while you can make the paste yourself, the stuff you can buy at the store is great. Instead, spend your time experimenting with different recipes — like these miso-glazed grilled zucchini spears — perfect for summer.

  • Tempeh

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (6)

    Tempeh is lightly fermented soybeans that are formed into blocks and often used as a meat alternative. Again, it is something you can make on your own, but you’re better off buying premade tempeh and focusing your experimenting around exciting recipes, like this recipe for baked buffalo tempeh tenders.

  • Yogurt

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (7)

    You already know about yogurt, of course, but this is one staple that can be worth making on your own. It takes about 15 minutes, and you can even make your own yogurt cups for a grab-and-go breakfast.

  • Lassi

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (8)

    Once you’ve mastered yogurt (or even if you’re just gonna buy it from the store, no judgment) give Lassi, an Indian drink, a try. It’s traditionally savory, but if you’re looking for something that might feel more familiar, start with this mango lassi recipe.

  • Sourdough

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (9)

    Bread is fermented? The answer when it comes to sourdough is yes. Sourdough is made through the fermentation of dough via bacteria and yeast. Being able to make your own sourdough starter is a skill all on its own and takes some experience to master. If you’re not a big bread fan, that doesn’t mean it’s a skill you should skip — you could, for example, make these amazing sourdough cinnamon rolls.

  • Kefir

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (10)

    Kefir is kind of like a yogurt drink and is traditionally fermented cow’s milk (although there is also something called water kefir, which is dairy-free.) There are all kinds of things you can make with kefir, like butter, cheese and puddings. This blueberry kefir chia pudding, for example, looks delicious.

  • Fermented Ketchup

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (11)

    Yep, even some of your favorite condiments can be fermented, like this relatively simple recipe for fermented ketchup.

  • Fermented Jalapeño

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (12)

    Great for adding to nachos, sandwiches or anywhere else you want a little heat, these fermented jalapeños only take about 20 minutes to make.

  • Fermented Mayo

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (13)

    Another condiment that can be fermented, this mayo uses a small amount of whey to keep it fresh for up to a month.

  • Fermented Cinnamon Apples

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (14)

    This recipe uses a little bit of fermented tea to preserve cinnamon apples, meaning you can have a healthy apple pie-flavored snack whenever you want.

  • Fermented Honey Garlic

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (15)

    It takes about a month for the honey and garlic to ferment, but then you can add this tasty food to marinades or glazes.

  • Fermented Salsa

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (16)

    Pickle juice or juice from sauerkraut is what gives this salsa its fermentation.

  • Beet Kvass

    15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (17)

    Beet kvass is a fermented beverage made from beets. It’s kind of like kombucha but with beets instead of tea.

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15 Fermented Food Recipes That Go Way Beyond Kombucha (2024)

FAQs

What else works like kombucha? ›

All things considered, water kefir can be a good option for those who don't enjoy kombucha and/or want to experiment with different forms of probiotics. “It's also a great alternative to dairy-based kefirs for those who follow a vegan eating pattern or are intolerant to dairy,” Feller adds.

Are fermented foods anti-inflammatory? ›

Fermented foods containing probiotic bacteria and fungi can enhance the immune system, improve gastrointestinal health, and lower the risk of developing various inflammatory diseases.

Which fermented food has the most probiotics? ›

Foods With the Highest Probiotic Content
Fermented FoodLiving CellsServing Size
Water kefir500 billion250 ml
Kimchi250 billion250 ml
Sauerkraut25 billion250 ml
Miso25 billion3 tbsp.
6 more rows

What is the healthiest fermented drink? ›

Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea that's fizzy, tart, and flavorful. It's made from either green or black tea and offers these drinks' potent health-promoting properties. Animal studies suggest that drinking kombucha may help protect the liver from damage caused by exposure to harmful chemicals ( 19 ).

What drink has the most probiotics? ›

Kombucha Is an Excellent Source of Probiotics

Kombucha typically has billions and billions of microscopic probiotics in even a very small serving. How many billions depends on how the kombucha is made, what ingredients are added, and how it's stored.

Does apple cider vinegar work like kombucha? ›

The fermentation of the sugared tea starter causes some of the vinegar similarities, but kombucha is fermented by a SCOBY while apple cider is fermented by an MOV (Mother of Vinegar), both containing different types of bacteria. Kombucha is the only one of the two that contains a yeast culture.

What is the easiest fermented food to eat? ›

Five fermenting recipes for gut health
  • Sauerkraut to quick kimchi. Sauerkraut is probably the easiest ferment to try your hand at, translated from German as 'sour cabbage' it really is tastier than it sounds. ...
  • Red cabbage, beetroot and apple sauerkraut. ...
  • Fermented garlic in honey. ...
  • Fermented chilli sauce.
Aug 15, 2023

What is the number one food that kills inflammation? ›

1. Avocados. Avocados are often sought after for their creamy texture and satiating taste. But they are also powerhouses when it comes to fighting inflammation.

What fermented foods should I eat daily? ›

7 Must-Eat Fermented Foods for a Healthy Gut
  • Sauerkraut.
  • Kimchi.
  • Kefir.
  • Kombucha.
  • Miso.
  • Tempeh.
  • Yogurt.
Sep 26, 2023

Who Cannot eat fermented foods? ›

Flexi Says: Individuals who should avoid fermented foods include those who are immunocompromised or have certain allergies or dietary restrictions. For example, those with yeast allergies, histamine intolerance or on a low-sodium diet may need to limit or avoid fermented foods.

Is it better to take probiotics or eat fermented foods? ›

The short answer: Contrary to what many think (and what labels may incorrectly tell you), fermented foods and probiotics are not necessarily one and the same. If you want specific, scientifically validated health benefits, your best option is to take a probiotic supplement.

Does apple cider vinegar count as a fermented food? ›

Apple cider vinegar is made through a process called fermentation. The process has two steps. First, the apples are crushed and yeast is added to speed up the fermentation process, so the sugar converts into alcohol after a few weeks.

Can I eat fermented foods everyday? ›

"Yes, but how much fermented food should I eat?" We advocate eating fermented foods three times per day, as snacks or with meals. It's the consistent introduction of these live culture fermented foods to your microbiome that creates the most gut health benefits.

References

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