Ginger's main claim to fame might be itsadorable namesake cookies—and don't get us wrong, they're delicious. But this versatile spice makes an appearance in plenty of other recipes, many of which fit nicely into any healthy eating plan.
Derived from a flowering plant found in China, ginger has been linked to a bevy ofhealth benefits. It contains compounds and metabolites that have been used to help improve digestion, curb nausea, alleviate cold and flu symptoms, reduce muscle pain, fight inflammation and boost cardiovascular health. Plus, 100 grams of fresh ginger is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, contains no sugar and is low in calories.
When cooking with ginger, you can use a fresh ginger root that is peeled and grated or sliced, or purchase it in dried or ground form. Ground ginger is sold at the supermarket along with other herbs and spices.
Need some ginger-spiration? We've rounded up a few of our favorite recipes in which it plays a yummy role.Pear Ginger Honey Muffins: Lightly sweetened only with raw, unfiltered honey, they make a great snack or a yummy make-ahead breakfast.
Image courtesy of Fannetastic Food
Gingerbread Spice Roasted Almonds: Perfect for smart snacking, roasted almonds are coated an in a cozy mix of gingerbread spices.
Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
20-Minute Ginger Garlic Chicken: The star of this simple recipe is Chef Meg's Easy Ginger-Garlic Sauce.
Ginger Glazed Pork Loin with Roasted Asparagus and Arugula Salad: Topped with a ginger glaze, this delicious pork recipe imparts a freshness to enjoy all year round.
Image courtesy of Cindy's Table
Healthy Morning Glory Gingerbread: Only 144 calories and free of sugar and refined flour, it makes a healthy and tasty breakfast or snack.
Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
Vegan Chow Mein: Ginger adds a warm spice to the peanut or sesame oil in this Chinese-inspired vegan chow mein.
Image courtesy of Hurry the Food Up
Instant Pot Tom Yum: The broth in this Thai soup has lemongrass, ginger and coconut milk for an extra flavorful twist on chicken soup.
Image courtesy of Foraged Dish
Homemade Soy Ginger Dressing: This delicious, easy recipe goes great with salads, grain bowls, vegetables and chicken dishes.
Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table
100-Calorie Carrot Ginger Muffins: Enjoy all the deliciousness of carrot cake, without the guilt.
Turmeric Ginger Smoothie Recipe: Zingy ginger and turmeric adds a hint of spiciness to this sweet, creamy and vibrant drink.
Image courtesy of Fannetastic Food
Ginger Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing: Ginger is the main event in this delicious sheet cake with a sugar-free butter and cream cheese frosting.
Image courtesy of Lectin-Free Mama
Ginger Glazed Mahi-Mahi: This flavorful seafood dish combines both sweet and sour taste sensations.
White Chocolate Ginger Cookies: This twist on a traditional favorite combines the flavor of ginger with the sweetness of white chocolate chips.
Image courtesy of Mommy's Memorandum
Grapefruit Pomegranate Ginger Smoothie: This beautiful ombré grapefruit pomegranate and ginger smoothie has a delicious citrus flavor.
Image courtesy of Foraged Dish
Dump-and-Bake Chinese Pepper Steak: Ground ginger adds a warm spice to this healthy sheet pan dinner recipe.
Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom
Easy Pasta Salad: With an addictive peanut butter dressing and a pinch of ginger, it's packed with fiber and protein.
Image courtesy of Hurry the Food Up
Gingerbread Protein Overnight Oats: Only five minutes of prep will get you a thick, creamy oatmeal with 16 grams of protein per serving.
Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
Asian Chicken Chopped Salad: This fresh and crunchy salad is loaded with veggies and tossed with an easy, homemade soy ginger dressing.
Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table
Apple and Pork Stir-Fry with Ginger: Packed with fruits, veggies and protein for a hearty lunch or dinner.
Ginger Beef: Try serving this savory dish on a bed of whole-grain rice.
Cranberry Gingerbread Granola: With these warm spices and crunchy clusters, it’s hard to stop at just one bowl.
Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
Healthy Gingerbread Waffles: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, each is only 112 calories.
Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
Spicy Ginger Sweet Potato Soup: Ginger adds a bit of zing to this Instant Pot sweet potato soup, while a bit of coconut milk makes it extra creamy.
Image courtesy of Foraged Dish
Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookie Bars: Soft, chewy and full of warm spices, they're perfect for holiday parties, bake sales and cookie exchanges.
Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table
Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies: At only 53 calories each, these soft cookies are sure to please.
FAQs
Other flavors and spices to pair with ginger are allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, chiles, peppercorns, cumin, fennel, coriander, mustard, turmeric, vanilla, sesame seed, lemongrass, mint, cardamom, lemon, tamarind, garlic, onion, scallion, chives, shallots, star anise, black tea, honey, soy sauce, fish sauce, ...
What can I do with lots of fresh ginger? ›
It can be added to a wide variety of dishes, including:
- Soups and stews.
- Curries and other spicy dishes.
- Baked goods, such as gingerbread and cookies.
- Marinades for meat and vegetables.
- Smoothies and drinks.
- Pickles.
- Stir-fries.
Ginger has a natural affinity for pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and winter squash. These starchy vegetables provide the perfect canvas for ginger's spicy, floral heat. Add ginger, along with gratings of nutmeg and black pepper, to any recipe for sweet potato casserole.
What is ginger good for in cooking? ›
Cooking With Ginger
Ginger imparts remarkable flavor to gingerbread, brandy snaps, and ginger pudding. It can be made into tea, cooked down to a jam, preserved in sugar syrup, or sugar-coated and dried into snackable crystallized ginger.
What not to mix ginger with? ›
Avoid using ginger together with other herbal/health supplements that can lower blood sugar, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, damiana, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.
What to avoid with ginger? ›
Possible Interactions
Blood-thinning medications: Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Diabetes medications: Ginger may lower blood sugar.
Should I refrigerate ginger? ›
It doesn't have to be, but if you want to keep it fresh for as long as possible, it's best to store ginger in the fridge. Stored on your countertop in a cool, dark place, a hunk of unpeeled ginger will last about 10 days, but stored in the refrigerator, it could last more than a month.
Should you peel ginger? ›
If the ginger is young and the skin is very fine or if it is going to be finely chopped or grated, you can skip the peeling step. If the skin is thicker or you're chopping the ginger more coarsely and don't want the skin to be included, then it's best to peel the ginger beforehand.
Can I freeze fresh ginger? ›
Freezing ginger is a great option for extending its freshness, because ginger frozen whole can last for up to five months. Just make sure to wash and dry the ginger root before you freeze it, and store it in a plastic bag or freezer-friendly container.
What is the best way to eat ginger? ›
How to Eat Ginger. In addition to tea, plenty of delicious recipes include ginger in the form of freshly grated or minced ginger root, ginger paste or dry ginger powder. Ginger can balance the sweetness of fruits and the flavor is great with savory dishes, such as lentils.
Fun facts about ginger
- Ginger originated in tropical rainforests from India to Southern Asia.
- Ginger is a perennial.
- Ginger is cultivated in the U.S., India, China the West Indies.
- Ginger was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
- Ginger arrived in Europe during the spice trade.
Since both lemons and ginger both have very strong flavours, you need something sweet to balance the overall flavour of your ginger tea. My number one choice is honey, and it is always better to use honey with a neutral flavour. So, look for good-quality, local honey.
Why do people boil ginger? ›
Some potential health benefits of drinking boiled water with ginger include: Digestive health: Ginger has been shown to help relieve digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, and bloating. It may also help stimulate digestion and reduce inflammation in the gut.
How to use ginger for weight loss? ›
Take one tablespoon of grated ginger and add to a glass of warm water. Add lemon juice to this (around 2-3 tablespoon should be sufficient). Shake it well and sip it for the entire day. If you need sweetness, you can add a few drops of honey to it.
Should you eat ginger raw or cooked? ›
Eat it raw or cook it—both are healthy: Research suggests that heating raw ginger (i.e., in cooking or making tea) reduces its ability to scavenge certain types of free radicals and increases its ability to scavenge other types—likely due to the conversion of gingerols to shogaols.
What Japanese food pairs well with ginger? ›
Not only was I impressed with how simple it was and how quickly my mom pulled together the dish, but I began to notice that raw grated ginger is served with so many Japanese foods. You find it on the side of sushi, soba noodles, grilled chicken, fried fish, steamed vegetables, and agedashi tofu, just to name a few.
Which liquor goes best with ginger? ›
The punchy rhizome gives drinks a fresh, spicy bite, and it pairs with everything from vodka and rum to smoky scotch. The Ginger Smash epitomizes the ingredient's friendly nature.
