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Easy Vegan Kimchi

March 1, 2020 By Lisa Kitahara 14 Comments

vegan kimchi in a canning jar

Learn how to make authentic Vegan Kimchi thats as delicious as the traditional version using this easy method! Full of gut-healthy probiotics, this recipe is fish free, gluten free and covers everything you need to know about kimchi!

picking up vegan kimchi with chop sticks from a jar

After posting a picture of this vegan kimchi on my instagram story, I got a lot of messages regarding kimchi being vegan and requests for this recipe so here it finally is! I also go over the most common questions I got regarding kimchi down below.

Kimchi has taken off and become highly popular in the last decade– I remember growing up only eating it at home but now I can find kimchi at restaurants and even take out spots.

What is Kimchi?

For those of you that are not familiar with kimchi, it’s basically fermented cabbage– kind of like sauerkraut where its sour and salty. The main difference though is that kimchi is spicy and enhanced with Korean flavours such as garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Even within the realm of Kimchi, there are so many different variations, types of ingredients and preparation methods used. Many Korean dishes use kimchi to flavour their soups, stews and stir fries, but it’s most commonly enjoyed as a side with meals.

People often assume kimchi is VERY hot and spicy but really, it should be just enough to compliment a side of rice or be used to add flavour to your favourite dishes.

What I also love about this fermented asian superfood is that it’s packed with nutritional value and health benefits. It covers nutrients like vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, iron and riboflavin. It’s full of probiotics, can help strengthen your immune system and aid in digestion. There has also been some talk about helping lower cholesterol and regular blood sugar.

You can buy Kimchi at the store but be sure to check the ingredients as most kimchi is NOT vegan! Some Vegan Kimchi brands I have heard amazing reviews about is Mother in Law Kimchi and Gold Mine Organic Kimchi (this one is not as spicy).

Curious about how exactly kimchi is made and the fermentation process? Well, it’s basically made by lacto-fermentation– which is the same process that sauerkraut and dill pickle undergo.

First, the vegetables have to be brined to draw out water and remove any bacteria that may disrupt the fermenting process. Then, the Lactobacillus bacteria that remains converts the sugars from the vegetables into lactic acid. This is what preserves the vegetables and gives them that acidic-sour, tangy flavour. Lastly, (to make it actually kimchi) it’s marinaded in a spicy umami ‘sauce’… and there you have it– kimchi!

So now that we have all the basics about kimchi covered, let’s get to making it!

vegan kimchi ingredients laid out

What’s in Vegan Kimchi?

  • Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage): this variety of cabbage is ideal for kimchi. It’s kind of oval shaped with frilly yellow-green leaves. It’s slightly sweeter and softer than other cabbages.
  • Course Sea Salt (Pickling Salt): we need this to brine the cabbage. Use kosher, pickling or a course salt without iodine.

Next to make the Kimchi Seasoning Paste, you will need:

  • Sweet Rice Flour + Kombu Dashi: this thickens the paste. You can also use water instead of dashi but the dashi gives it additional umami flavour (kind of like fish sauce).
  • Fuji Apple: you can also use asian pear or persimmon!
  • Miso Paste + Soy Sauce: for umami and saltiness.:
  • Ginger, Garlic + Scallions: for flavour.
  • Korean Red Pepper Flakes: the star ingredient that ties the kimchi together!

In addition, you can also add other vegetables. Carrots and daikon are commonly used in kimchi.

So now that we’ve gathered our ingredients…

how to cut cabbage for kimchi

How to Make Vegan Kimchi (Easy Method)

Prepare and Salt the Cabbage

  • Slice the cabbage in half (1).
  • Then slice each half into quarters (2).
  • Chop the quarters into 1 inch pieces (3).
  • Add the cabbage into a LARGE mixing bowl as you work and massage the course sea salt in (4 + 5).
  • You should notice the cabbage wilting and releasing some water as you do this. Cover the bowl and let it sit for at least 1 hour. You’ll know the cabbage is ready when you’re able to bend the pieces without is snapping.
  • Once the cabbage is wilted and the water is drawn, rinse the cabbage and drain well (6).
how to make vegan kimchi

Make Kimchi Paste

  • Make Porridge Paste: Add the water and sweet rice flour into a sauce pan over medium heat and stir until dissolved. Once it thickens, remove from the heat and let it cool completely (7).
  • Make Spicy Kimchi Paste: Add all the kimchi paste ingredients into a food processor along with the cooled porridge and blend until a paste forms (8).

Putting it All Together

  • Slice carrots and daikon into thin match stick sized pieces. Cut the tops of the green onions into 1 inch pieces (9).
  • Add the drained cabbage back into the large bowl along with the carrots, daikon and green parts of the scallions. Put on some gloves (if its your fist time, please do this) massage in the kimchi seasoning paste until everything is well covered (10).
  • Transfer the kimchi into a air tight container and use your hands to pack down it down (11). The cabbage and vegetables should be submerged in the juices.
  • Close the lid and leave it out at room temperature in a cool dark place for 2 days. DO NOT open the lid for the first 48 hours.
  • After 2 days, give it a taste. If you want it to ferment more let it sit for another 24 hours. As it ferments, the flavour will get stronger, more tangy and sour.
  • Once the kimchi ferments into your desired flavour, store in the fridge .
storing vegan kimchi in canning jar

Tips to Making Vegan Kimchi

  • Use Clean Equipment: this will prevent any bad bacteria that may come in contact with kimchi and disrupt the fermentation process.
  • PACK Down the Kimchi: this helps reduce air exposure and encourage the brine formation. The fermenting microorganisms will release carbon dioxide, creating fizzling and bubbling (this is suppose to happen).
  • Wear Gloves: especially if its your first time, I HIGHLY recommend using gloves. Even after you wash your hands, if you touch your face or eyes it will burn.
canning fermented cabbage in jar

Kimchi FAQ

Is Kimchi Not Vegan? How Do you make kimchi without fish sauce?

Typically, you will see kimchi is made including fish or fish sauce. Depending on the recipe, there may also be other non-vegan ingredients included such as shrimp or squid.

When is the best time of year to make kimchi?

It is easier to control the growth, flavour and fermentation of kimchi during the colder seasons because of the cooler temperature but you can make it in the warmer months. I recommend storing the kimchi in the basement or somewhere where it is cooler, though. I look make sure the area is atleast below 15 degrees.

How can I fix kimchi thats too spicy or salty after fermenting?

Add extra thin slices or carrots or daikon which should help dilute the spicy or salty flavours. Do this AFTER fermentation process is over (when you have already stored the kimchi in the fridge).

How to Make Small Batch Kimchi

This recipe actually yields a much smaller batch than most recipes online (makes around 3 cups). You can double, or even triple this recipe if you want a larger amount.

How to Best Store Kimchi

Keep kimchi refrigerated and secure the lid tightly. When consuming, always use clean utensils and do not go in with utensils that you have already put in your mouth as this may introduce other bacteria and cause spoilage.

The kimchi bubbles or pops open when opening the jar, is it safe to eat?

Yes! Bubbling and pressure inside the jar is a by-product of the fermentation process due to the CO2 that builds up inside the jar.

How long does fermented kimchi keep for? When does kimchi go bad and how can I tell?

Kimchi can actually keep well in the fridge for several months. I’ve kept a huge batch of kimchi for over 4 months! Just keep an eye out for surface mold or ant strange sour (like milk has gone bad sour) smell or flavour. It will (and should) acidic but not sour.

How to Serve Kimchi

Fresh, ripe kimchi is great served:

  • With a side of rice
  • Kimchi Pancakes (Kimchijeon)
  • Buddha Bowls
  • Salads

Kimchi that has been sitting for longer and is more pungent is great for:

  • Kimchi Soups (Kimchi Jiage)
  • Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice
  • Kimchi Stirfries
kimchi in a bowl close up

I hope this guide to making your own vegan kimchi at home is helpful and you try this recipe out!

spicy kimchi in a bowl

If you recreate this easy vegan kimchi recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!

Hungry for more? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest for more deliciousness!

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kimchi in a bowl close up

Vegan Kimchi


★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Lisa Kitahara
  • Prep Time: 120 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 130 minutes
  • Yield: 3 cups 1x
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Description

Learn how to make authentic Vegan Kimchi thats as delicious as the traditional version using this easy method! Full of gut-healthy probiotics, this recipe is fish free, gluten free and covers everything you need to know about kimchi!


Scale

Ingredients

Salting Cabbage

  • 1 medium head of napa cabbage (1.5-2lbs // 750g)
  • 1/4 cup coarse sea salt (also called pickling salt)

Kimchi Seasoning Paste

  • 1 tbsp sweet rice flour
  • 1/2 – 2/3 cup kombu dashi (125 ml // or water)
  • 1/2 fuji apple (90g // sub asian pear or persimmon) 
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp miso paste
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp minced ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 4 stalks scallions, whites and greens divided
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup korean red pepper flakes 

Optional Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 medium carrot, sliced into match sticks (60g)
  • 1/2 cup daikon radish, sliced into match sticks (80g)
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Slice cabbage into half. Then slice each half into quarters. Chop into 1 inch pieces in width. Add chopped into a large bowl and then massage in the coarse sea salt. As you do this, you’ll notice the cabbage beginning to wilt and releasing some water. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 1-2 hours. The cabbage is ready when you’re able to bend a piece without it snapping in half. 
  2. In the meantime, prepare the seasoning paste. Add the water and flour into a sauce pan over medium heat and whisk together until combined for around 10 minutes until it begins to get thick. Remove from heat and let it cool. 
  3. Once the cabbage is ready, rinse the cabbage throughly and drain well (I like to let it sit in the colander over a bowl for half an hour). 
  4. Add all the kimchi seasoning paste into a food processor and blend until a paste forms. 
  5. Add the drained cabbage back into the bowl along with the carrot, daikon, green parts of the scallions and kimchi seasoning paste. Put on some gloves and massage the paste throughly into the vegetables.
  6. Transfer into a air tight container and use your hands to pack down the kimchi. Everything should be submerged in the juices. 
  7. Close the lid and leave out at room temperature for 2 days. Do not open lid for the first 48 hours. 
  8. After 2 days, give it a taste. If you want it to ferment more (more sourness) let it sit for another 24 hours.
  9. Once the kimchi ferments into your desired flavour, store in the fridge for 1-2 months (optimal freshness) and up to 1 year. The longer it sits, the more intense the tangy and sour flavour will become. Discard any kimchi if you see signs of surface mold. 

Notes

  • Helpful Equipment: Large mixing bowl, colander, fermenting jars (glass jars), gloves, food processor, small sauce pan 
  • Nutritional Information Disclaimer: Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated on an online tool (Cronometer). 
  • Category: sides
  • Method: fermenting
  • Cuisine: korean, vegan, gluten free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ounce (28g)
  • Calories: 10
  • Sugar: 0.5g
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: vegan kimchi, easy kimchi, fish free kimchi

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vegan kimchi recipe pinterst graphic

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Filed Under: cooking tools, Gluten-free, Sides Tagged With: asian inspired, dairy free, fall, gluten free, how-tos, korean, meal prep, nut free, oil free, savory, sides, soy free, spring, winter

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cj

    March 2, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Wait but it’s not vegan if you use dashi, right?

    Reply
    • Lisa Kitahara

      March 3, 2020 at 2:33 am

      Kombu dashi is seaweed! 🙂

      Reply
      • CJ

        May 3, 2020 at 2:40 pm

        Oh okok! Awesome!! Thank you (:

        Reply
  2. Monica

    March 14, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    I know Kombu is a seaweed. Do I just get that or is it a powder?

    Reply
    • Lisa Kitahara

      March 16, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      Hi Monica,
      Kombu Dashi comes in granule-power form 🙂 Or, you could make it by simmering shiitake and kombu!

      Reply
  3. Lydia

    March 19, 2020 at 7:23 pm

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have made many vegan kimchi before, but I have to say yours is the best so far 🙂 I have already recommended to my friends who love Kimchi to give it a try!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lisa Kitahara

      March 20, 2020 at 2:46 am

      Hi Lydia!
      Thank you so much for your kind comment, I’m so happy you enjoyed!!

      Reply
  4. Stacy

    July 15, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    Hi! In planning to follow this recipe. But I wanted to know, can I skip the sweet rice flour? Or is there an alternative to it? Like all purpose flour, corn starch or something else. Is the Apple also mandatory? Any alternatives to that?

    Reply
    • Lisa Kitahara

      July 16, 2020 at 12:14 am

      Sweet rice flour makes it so it’s not thick so you can omit it but just keep in mind it will be a bit more wet. Also, the apple adds sweetness since its very spice but you can swap it out for some sugar instead!

      Reply
  5. Mb

    October 24, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    Mine does not have a lot of liquid when I compress in jars it does not cover top

    Reply
    • Lisa Kitahara

      October 28, 2020 at 10:38 am

      Did you make the paste? As it sits it should release juices!

      Reply
  6. Lydia

    March 18, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    The best vegan kimchi!! I make this regularly and I always have at least a jar in the fridge! I usually make a big batch so I can share with not only my family but my friends as well! Everyone loves it which makes me really happy! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe Lisa!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Smita

    May 10, 2021 at 11:37 pm

    Such a straightforward recipe and super easy to put together! I’ve wanted to make kimchi since I was 12 and finally, 10 years later, I have one that tastes AMAZING. Thanks for the recipe, Lisa!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. Yvie

    August 21, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    So easy to make and so good! It’s been two days and I just tasted the kimchi … sooooooo yummy!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Lisa. Welcome to Okonomi Kitchen! Here you'll find delicious vegan recipes that are healthy, simple & easy to make.
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