Description
This kid-friendly kimchi recipe is a mild, crunchy, and probiotic-rich twist on the traditional Korean favorite. Perfect for children and spice-sensitive adults, it’s packed with cabbage, carrots, and green onions, flavored with garlic, ginger, and a touch of apple juice for sweetness. Ready in just a few days, this is the ultimate fermented vegetables recipe for beginners and families who want a healthy, gut-friendly side dish without the heat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium Napa cabbage (or green cabbage)
- 2 medium carrots, julienned
- 4–5 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ginger, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon apple juice or pear juice
- Filtered water (to create brine)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce or coconut aminos (optional, for umami)
Instructions
- Chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, and massage gently. Let sit 1–2 hours until softened.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove excess salt and drain well.
- Add carrots, green onions, garlic, and ginger to the cabbage and toss together.
- Mix apple juice with a little filtered water to make a mild brine. Pour over vegetables until just covered.
- Pack tightly into a clean glass jar, pressing down so vegetables are submerged. Leave 1 inch of space at the top.
- Cover loosely and ferment at room temperature for 2–4 days, pressing veggies below the brine daily.
- Refrigerate once tangy to your liking. Enjoy as a probiotic-rich side dish.
Notes
- For a vegan version, skip fish sauce and use soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- Get kids involved—let them help massage the cabbage or pack the jar.
- Serve with rice, grilled chicken, or scrambled eggs to make it familiar for children.
- Experiment with radishes, cucumbers, or apples for fun variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Fermentation, Side Dish, Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Method: Fermenting
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Kid-Friendly Kimchi, Fermented Vegetables, Vegan Kimchi, Probiotic Foods for Kids, Mild Kimchi Recipe