Keto Kimchi

This keto kimchi recipe is insanely spicy, divinely delicious, and impossibly easy to make. I've spent quite a long time looking for the perfect kimchi recipe that would taste amazing but would consist of simple ingredients, and I finally did it.

There are numerous benefits to eating kimchi: it can help lose fat, improve blood sugar levels, help treat health problems, and may improve your immune system. 

And since it also is low carb (just 3.5 carbs per serving), you can enjoy this side dish even during your late-night dinner.

Jump to:

• Is Kimchi Keto Friendly?
• Kimchi Benefits
• How to Make Keto Kimchi
• Serving Ideas
• Storing Instructions 
• Recipe

Is Kimchi Keto Friendly?

YES! Almost any kimchi is low carb. So this means that you definitely can eat it when following the keto diet. One serving of this kimchi has only 3.5 g of carbs. 

Kimchi Benefits

Being delicious and versatile are not the only benefits of this Korean side dish. Kimchi also has many health benefits:

• It's loaded with nutrients. Even though kimchi is low in calories, it is packed with essential nutrients. Of course, the nutritional value of kimchi depends on the ingredients used in making it. But, almost all of the recipe variations have plenty of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, folate, and riboflavin.
• It may help to prevent severe health conditions. Since kimchi undergoes a lacto-fermentation process, it acquires probiotics, and therefore, may help you prevent or even treat many health issues. For example, kimchi is known to help treat the common cold, constipation, and even improve skin conditions.
• It can improve your immune system. Kimchi produces certain bacteria, which is known to boost our immune system.

And the best thing about kimchi is that it can boost weight loss. There's even a study that confirms this fact.

How to Make Keto Kimchi

I love making low-carb kimchi at home since it gives me more control over the kind of ingredients that I use. Here's what I prefer to add to my kimchi:

• Napa cabbage. This is the main ingredient of any kimchi, so using it is a must.
• Fresh ginger. You can use ginger powder if you want to. But still, it is best to use fresh ginger since it adds more juice.
• Red chili pepper. I do recommend using whole red chili pepper rather than cayenne pepper powder or red pepper flakes.
• Garlic cloves. You'll need to peel a few garlic cloves and blend them together with the chili pepper and ginger to form the kimchi paste.
• Salt. I usually add just a tablespoon of salt, but if you want it to be a bit saltier, you can add even two tablespoons.
• Erythritol powder. As you know, many add sugar to their kimchi. But since sugar is not allowed on keto, I substituted it with erythritol. And I decided to use precisely erythritol powder since it would dissolve more easily.
• Fish sauce. Fish sauce is a great way to deliver a funky, rich intensity flavor to the kimchi. But it's totally okay if you don't have any, you can just skip it. Or, you can substitute it with shrimp paste or miso.
• Sesame oil. This ingredient is also totally optional. The only reason why I add it to kimchi is because I like the way it tastes with it.
• Scallions. You'll also need some chopped scallions for your kimchi. It's also okay to skip this ingredient. But, to make your kimchi taste more like the real thing, it is best to add scallions, too.

I know that many people like to add carrots when making kimchi. So, if you like them, you can add them. But be careful, since they're full of carbs.

Also, you can add daikon radish. Just cut it into matchstick strips and add to the kimchi.

Serving Ideas

Kimchi is typically considered to be a side dish. But I sometimes like to eat it as a snack, and before serving, sprinkle it with a bit of Everything Bagel Seasoning.

Here are some other options that you should try serving keto kimchi with:

• Cauliflower Fried Rice
• Zucchini Fritters
• Eggs and Bacon
• Cheesy Chicken Fritters
• Garlic Butter Salmon

Basically, you can eat kimchi with almost anything: chicken, salmon, pork, beef, eggs, or any other main dish.

Storing Instructions 

When the kimchi is ready, you should store it in your refrigerator. It should last up to 3 months. However, I doubt that you'll have any kimchi leftovers till then.

I do not recommend freezing kimchi because the fermented cabbage tends to lose some of its flavor.

Recipe