Razzle Dazzle Life

  • Delicious Recipes
  • Recipe Videos
  • About Me
    • Work with me
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Delicious Recipes
  • Recipe Videos
  • About Me
    • Work with me
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Delicious Recipes
  • Recipe Videos
  • About Me
    • Work with me
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
×
Razzle Dazzle Life » Asian Inspired

Homemade Korean Kimchi Recipe

This post was last updated on September 19, 2024 at 3:05 pm

August 12, 2020 by Tamara J. 23 Comments

Thanks for sharing!

294 shares
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Take Me to the Recipe

This Homemade Korean Kimchi Recipe is a sour, robust condiment and side dish from Korea. It is easy to make and has so many health benefits!

While you are here, you should try these Korean Seared Pork Tacos and this Kimchi Fried Rice! Two great recipes to use your homemade kimchi. 

Easy Homemade Korean Kimchi

I was first introduced to kimchi awhile back when I was attending hygiene school. It is definitely a taste that is unforgettable, and addicting! Kimchi is also something that is an acquired taste. One thing that is for certain, you will love it!

Table of contents

  • What is Kimchi?
  • Ingredients needed for the Kimchi Recipe:
  • Have you ever heard of, or tried Kimchi?
  • The best kimchi experience!
  • Fun facts about kimchi: 
  • What does the Kimchi taste like?
  • Is it hard to make kimchi?
Easy Homemade Korean Kimchi

What is Kimchi?

Homemade Korean Kimchi is fermented cabbage and other veggies. It is a staple in Korean households. Kimchi is great for gut health and is primarily a healthy side dish.

This kimchi recipe is a bit quicker than traditional methods due to the difference in the brining method.

Ingredients needed for the Kimchi Recipe:

Most of these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. If not, they will most certainly be at your local Asian Market. Here is what you will need:

  • Napa cabbage (and a head of green cabbage) which is optional but highly recommended.
  • Ginger: grated ginger is a key component in authentic kimchi.
  • Onions: yellow and green onions will be shredded or very finely minced 
  • Shredded carrots: these add a nice sweet bite to the fermented kimchi.
  • Apple, or pear: the apple and or pear help to ferment the cabbage to give the kimchi its unique sour flavor and health benefits.
  • Radish: a daikon radish is optional to add to the kimchi. It adds a nice textural difference to the side dish.
  • Gochujang: a key ingredient in most Korean recipes.
  • Korean red pepper flakes: these can be adjusted to make the kimchi more or less spicy
  • Fish sauce
  • Soy sauce 

Have you ever heard of, or tried Kimchi?

Moment of honesty, I had not even heard of this supremely famous Korean side dish/appetizer until a dear friend of mine introduced it to me; and that was merely 4 or so years ago.

It was definitely love at first bite! If you enjoy anything pickled, you will enjoy kimchi!

The best kimchi experience!

We get to this tiny little house, with a handicap ramp, and a gravel parking lot driveway, and I began to have doubts! She assured me that this Korean Noodle House was some of the BEST Korean food she has had in all of Houston.

Korean Noodle House old location

So I went with it, and I most certainly agreed with her after we ate our hand-made noodles, complimentary kimchi, and amazing soup! This little gem of a house-restaurant changed my love of kimchi FOREVER!

Fast-forward a few years- the restaurant has since moved to a strip-center, and their re-opening was HIGHLY HIGHLY ANTICIPATED! If you look back at their Yelp account, you may even find me or Alison questioning their re-opening!

Easy Homemade Korean Kimchi

Fun facts about kimchi: 

  • Kimchi is a traditional side dish for almost all Korean meals
  • Kimchi is a generic name for "pickled" in Korean
  • It is a fermentation of various vegetables (hence the strong smell)
  • Fermentation creates natural lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) which have amazing health benefits
  • An acquired taste, but highly addictive once you learn to love it

What does the Kimchi taste like?

The flavor of kimchi is very sour, strong, robust, and can be spicy (depending on preference and making adjustments to the recipe). So you may be a bit turned-off by the smell and taste at first bite, but I can almost guarantee that you will go back for more! Having purchased many store-bought jars of kimchi, I finally decided to make it on my own.

Easy Homemade Korean Kimchi

Is it hard to make kimchi?

It seems intimidating at first, but when you make it once, you will realize how easy it really is. Homemade is also better because you can adjust your level of spiciness and how sour you want it.

If you have never had it before, I encourage you to try it ASAP! If you are already a kimchi fan, give this recipe a go. Once you realize how easy and delicious it is to make at home, you will never buy it from a store again!

📖 Recipe

Homemade Korean Kimchi Recipe

This Homemade Korean Kimchi Recipe is fermented cabbage and other veggies. It is a staple in Korean households. Kimchi is great for gut health and is primarily a healthy side dish.
Print Recipe SaveSaved! Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
3 days to ferment: 3 days days
Total Time: 3 days days 30 minutes minutes
Course: Asian Inspired
Cuisine: asianinspired
Keyword: kimchi
Servings: 3 16 oz. jars
Calories: 87kcal
Author: Tamara J.

Ingredients

  • 2 heads Napa cabbage chopped
  • 1 head Green cabbage chopped
  • 1 Red onion sliced
  • 1 bunch Green onions rough chopped
  • 2 carrots shredded
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger grated
  • 2 cloves Garlic grated
  • 1 Korean radish shredded
  • 1 Apple or pear shredded

Seasoning (adjust to level of spiciness)

  • 1 tablespoon Fish sauce
  • ½ tablespoon Soy sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups Korean hot pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup Gochujang korean chili paste
  • ¼ cup Red pepper flakes

For Brining

  • 8 cups Water to cover chopped cabbage
  • 2 cups Salt

Instructions

  • Add chopped napa and green cabbage to a large bowl, add water and salt to cover completely. Mix thoroughly to ensure all cabbage is coated with mixture.
  • Let brining mixture sit for 2-3 hours. After a few hours cabbage will appear wilted.
  • Strain and rinse cabbage VERY thoroughly to ensure most of the salt is rinsed off.
  • Using gloves, mix cabbage together with all of the vegetables, spices, apple or pear, fish sauce, and soy sauce (optional). Combine all ingredients thoroughly
  • Add kimchi to mason jars- leaving about an inch of room in each container. Place jars in room temperature for 2-3 days. Open lids everyday to allow gases to escape.
  • Taste to ensure level of sourness is achieved, cover jar with a piece of plastic wrap, place lid on tight, and refrigerate.

Notes

Refrigerated kimchi can last up to 6 months. 
Adjust chili flakes and powder to your level of spiciness.

Recommended Products

Wood Cutting Board Set - Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove - Kitchen Chopping Board for Meat (Butcher Block) Cheese and Vegetables | Heavy Duty Serving Tray w/Handles (3)
Wood Cutting Board Set - Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove - Kitchen Chopping Board for Meat (Butcher Block) Cheese and Vegetables | Heavy Duty Serving Tray w/Handles (3)
Professional Box Grater, Stainless Steel with 4 Sides, Best for Parmesan Cheese, Vegetables, Ginger, XL Size, Black
Professional Box Grater, Stainless Steel with 4 Sides, Best for Parmesan Cheese, Vegetables, Ginger, XL Size, Black
Ball Regular Mouth 32-Ounces Mason Jar with Lids and Bands (2-Units), Pack of 2, Clear
Ball Regular Mouth 32-Ounces Mason Jar with Lids and Bands (2-Units), Pack of 2, Clear
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece Set, Nesting, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe)
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece Set, Nesting, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe)
100 PCS Disposable Clear Plastic Gloves,Disposable Polyethylene Work Gloves Industrial Clear Vinyl Glovesfor Cooking,Cleaning,Food Handling
CJ Haechandle Gochujang, Hot Pepper Paste, 500g (Korean Spicy Red Chile Paste, 1.1 lb.)
CJ Haechandle Gochujang, Hot Pepper Paste, 500g (Korean Spicy Red Chile Paste, 1.1 lb.)

Nutrition

Serving: 1Servings | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19377mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog and tag me in your photo on Instagram or Facebook!

More Asian Inspired

  • close up of firecracker shrimp on a platter
    Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp
  • shrimp and broccoli with sausage in a bowl with rice
    Sweet Chili Sausage Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe 
  • close up view of a bowl of Filipino chicken adobo with rice
    Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe
  • close up view of a bowl of garlic butter shrimp ramen
    Garlic Butter Shrimp Ramen

Thanks for sharing!

294 shares
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Comments

    4.80 from 10 votes (8 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Nancy Miller says

    December 11, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    Thank you for this recipe! The Korean meal, kimchi, usually contains Korean radishes, Napa cabbage, and various flavors such as ginger, garlic, pepper, and fish sauce. Drying and salting are the oldest food conservation methodology is most well-known practices. Likewise, the most common way of making kimchi includes tenderizing the vegetables to draw out the water.

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      December 12, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      This recipe definitely touches on all of these ingredients and notes listed. Thanks for your insight!

      Reply
  2. Romy says

    November 19, 2022 at 9:19 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy

    Reply
  3. Jayne Rain says

    March 31, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    Kimchi is so healthy for the gut...everybody needs to be making this at home. Thanks so much for sharing it, it was so easy to follow along.

    Reply
  4. Kaluhi says

    March 31, 2020 at 11:45 am

    I always order kimchu when i eat out, and now i know how to make it at home thanks to you!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 31, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      Yes! Enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. Jazz says

    March 31, 2020 at 1:41 am

    I've never attempted homemade kimchi but you made it look so easy!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 31, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      It’s worth making at home!

      Reply
  6. portia says

    March 28, 2020 at 5:05 am

    Wow! I learned a lot about Kimchi! Thank you for all this information and the amazing recipe! Love cabbage and spicy food!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 30, 2020 at 6:58 pm

      You are very welcome. Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  7. Tisha says

    March 28, 2020 at 4:10 am

    I love kimchi! Can't wait to make this at home!

    Reply
  8. Katrina Adams says

    March 28, 2020 at 3:09 am

    I would love to try this recipe!! Full of flavor!!

    Reply
  9. Capri says

    March 27, 2020 at 2:43 am

    My boyfriend and I LOVEEE Kimchi! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. You make preparing kimchi at home so easy, especially with the great step by step photos. I like it spicy and love all the spicy additions you have listed!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 30, 2020 at 6:59 pm

      Awesome! You will definitely enjoy this then!

      Reply
  10. Christy Hoover says

    March 26, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    I had a neighbor that would make Kimchi for me. It was delicious! I think that I will try my hand at it now. You make this look so good.

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 27, 2020 at 1:04 am

      You should definitely try it out!

      Reply
  11. Desirée says

    March 26, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    I was JUST thinking about Kimchi. This recipe is right on time!

    Reply
  12. Brittany Fiero says

    March 26, 2020 at 3:07 am

    I never knew how kimchi was made. I have many of these ingredients and will definitely have to make this soon.

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 27, 2020 at 2:23 am

      You definitely should! It's much easier than most people know.

      Reply
  13. Aline says

    March 25, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    Ahhh looks so good!!! I never thought to make kimchi at home would be so doable!! I need to give this a try!

    Reply
  14. Marta says

    March 25, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    My step-father was South Korean, so one of the first recipes I learned to make when I was a teen was kimchi. I still make and love it.

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      March 25, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      Yes! It is so good for you too!

      Reply
  15. hgf says

    February 27, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    That is very fascinating, You're an overly skilled blogger.

    I have joined your feed and look ahead to in quest of more of your great
    post. Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks

    Reply

HEY, Y'ALL!

I'm Tamara! I'm a Southern girl who has cooking in her blood. A wife and busy mom of four awesome kids. I love sharing fun family ideas, money saving life hacks, and have a variety of fool-proof family-friendly recipes for the family on the go. Learn more about Tamara


Footer

AS SEEN IN:

↑ back to top

About

  • Contact
  • Work with me

Exclusive Email Access

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Legal Jargon

  • Privacy Policy & Disclosures

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Razzle Dazzle Life

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.