Fermentation is a time-honored tradition that dates back to the mid-1800’s when the study of yeast first began. Since then, we have created recipes that ferment everything from milk to pickles. And of course, we can’t forget about good ol’ sauerkraut!
So what’s the difference between canning and fermentation? Well for one, canning requires vinegar, either hot or cold, to be poured over your vegetables, typically with some spices. Fermentation, on the other hand, is typically just a salt bath of sorts.
Related Post: Best Canning Recipes
In some ways, fermentation and canning are quite opposite, wherein fermentation promotes the growth of healthy bacteria, while canning works to eliminate the growth of any sorts of bacteria, hence the vinegar. Fermentation typically gets a lot of credit for cultivating probiotics, especially in Keifer and yogurt.
Whether you’re using a fermentation crock or some mason jars, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best fermentation recipes available. Some are traditional recipes that you’ll recognize, while others are a modern take on a classic family favorite. So get out your fermenting tools, do a little experimentation and let us know how it goes!
Fruit & Vegetables
- Apples
- Asparagus
- Basic Fruit Fermentation
- Beets
- Berries
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Jalapeños
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pickles (Cucumbers)
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
- Vegetable Medley
Food & Drinks
- Grape Leaves
- Hot Sauce
- Keifer
- Kimchi
- Pineapple Drink
- Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut
Beginner Sauerkraut
If you’re just starting your fermentation career, check out this recipe for sauerkraut. Perfect for beginners!
Ginger Carrot Sauerkraut
A twist on traditional sauerkraut, this ginger and carrot recipe features a mellow flavor with a bit of a bite!
Rhubarb Lime Ginger Sauerkraut
Now here’s a flavor combination you probably weren’t expecting! Lime, rhubarb and ginger bring a whole new dimension to this sauerkraut.
Find it at Mountain Feed And Farm Supply
Pumpkin Cranberry Sauerkraut
Nothing says fall quite like pumpkins and cranberries. This sauerkraut will spice up your Thanksgiving dinner with a subtle cinnamon undertone.
Find it at Mountain Feed And Farm Supply
Alton Brown Sauerkraut
You know him, you love him, it’s Alton Brown from the Food Network! Check out his take on sauerkraut with caraway seeds and juniper berries.
Spicy Sauerkraut
The days of plain, traditional sauerkraut are over! Bring some spice to your dinner table with this recipe.
Carrot And Radish Sauerkraut
Carrots and radishes have never paired this well before. The radishes bring a bright color to this sauerkraut, and the carrots are full of health benefits.
Kimchi
Easy Kimchi
Kimchi: spicy, flavorful and a staple in Korean food dishes. Learn how to make your own with this easy-to-follow recipe!
Vegan Kimchi
For our vegans out there, you don’t have to sacrifice taste in this recipe. Spicy as always!
Sweet Kimchi
Now if you’re not the kind of person who likes heat, check out this recipe for sweet kimchi! All the flavors of kimchi without the burn!
Find it at Mama In The Kitchen
Radish Kimchi (Kkakdugi)
Check out this recipe for radish kimchi, otherwise known as Kkadugi. As compared to traditional kimchi, this recipe features daikon radishes with the same spicy punch.
Pickles
Fermented Pickles
Pickles without vinegar! Just salt and good old fashion bacteria turn these cucumbers into tasty fermented pickles.
Find it at The Prairie Homestead
Fermented Pickles With Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is helpful in a variety of applications, but what about pickles?!
Fermented Crock Dill Pickles
Of course, we need a nice, traditional recipe for fermenting pickles! Break out that fermentation crock because this recipe is perfect for just that!
Find it at University Of Minnesota Extension
Hot And Spicy Pickles
If you’re in the mood for something a little spicer, check out this recipe. A little kick of heat is always a good thing, right?!
Carrots
Naturally Fermented Carrots
If you want to introduce your kids to fermented foods without handing them a bowl of kimchi, check out this super approachable recipe. The kids are already eating carrot sticks, why not fermented ones?
Find it at Cultures For Health
Asparagus
Fermented Asparagus With Ginger
Pickles are one thing, but what about asparagus? Fermenting asparagus makes them a tasty, crispy snack that will compare to your favorite jar of pickles.
Find it at Cultures For Health
Beets
Spiralized Fermented Beets
Spiralizing beets makes them more approachable in salads and dishes. Check out this option for fermenting beets!
Fermented Beets With Orange And Ginger
Beets, orange and ginger? I bet you weren’t expecting that flavor combination! If you want to take your fermenting experimentations to the next level, check out this recipe!
Turnips
Fermented Turnips
Turnips can be cut, spiralized or shredded in this recipe. Try these tossed in a salad to bring a lot of flavor in a small bite!
Radishes
Fermented Radish Slices
For a traditional sliced radish fermentation recipe that will potentially challenge your grandmother’s, this is the one you want!
Vegetable Medley
Fermented Vegetable Medley
For those of us who just can’t choose one vegetable to ferment, check out this medley! Featuring cauliflowers, onions, carrots, apples and ginger, this recipe is vegan-friendly!
Potatoes
Fermented Potatoes
Full of probiotics, this recipe uses sweet potatoes, red potatoes or yams. Mix and match potatoes to get a colorful display of tasty fermented potatoes.
Find it at Divine Health From The Inside Out
Tomatoes
Basil-Garlic Tomatoes
Alright, this just looks way too tasty. Tomatoes, basil and garlic? Yes, please!
Find it at The Crushing Cancer Kitchen
Tepache Pineapple Drink
Tepache Fermented Pineapple Drink
Tepache is a fermented drink made from the fruit and rind of a pineapple. Originating in Mexico, this is sure to be a hit at your next party!
Basic Fruit Fermentation
Basic Fermented Fruit Recipe
While this recipe isn’t tailored to a specific fruit, you have a lot of freedom with this one. Choose your fruit you want to ferment and follow the steps.
Apples
Probiotic-Rich Apples
With a sweet and tangy flavor, these fermented apples are both full of probiotics and super tasty.
Find it at Empowered Sustenance
Fermented Apple Chutney
Taking a spin on fermented apples, this chutney is best served as a condiment or even a side dish.
Fermented Apple Juice
Probiotics are the feature of this apple juice, that take fermentation to a whole other level.
Berries
Fermented Mixed Berries
There’s no such thing as too many berries! These fermented berries are sure to please in a sauce or spread.
Peaches
Spiced Peaches
Canned peaches are a homestead classic, but what about fermented spiced peaches?
Oranges
Fermented Oranges
Oranges are another fruit you probably didn’t expect to see on this list. Fermented oranges are great in sauces, dressings and glazes.
Grape Leaves
Fermented Grape Leaves
Don’t just prune those leaves away! Save them for fermentation with this recipe.
Jalapenos
Fermented Jalapenos
There’s something about fermenting jalapenos that just makes them so darn tasty!
Garlic
Fermented Garlic
Garlic does a good job of bringing flavor to all sorts of dishes, and fermented garlic is no different!
Keifer
Beginner Milk Keifer
Keifer is a popular fermented item, full of probiotics and similar to yogurt. Check out this recipe if you’re a beginner fermenter or Keifer-eater.
Coconut Milk Keifer
An alternative to traditional milk, coconut milk Keifer has a different taste and is still full of those notorious probiotics we keep bringing up.
Almond Milk Keifer
Another alternative to traditional milk Keifer, check out this almond milk recipe that’s tasty and good for you too!
Find it at The Alternative Daily
Hot Sauce
Fermented Hot Sauce
Mmm, hot sauce, we can taste it already!
Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce
If you need a little fruitiness in your hot sauce, consider this recipe that incorporated pineapple!
