Low Sugar Ginger-Lime Fresh Cabbage Kimchi

Total time1 hr 30 min

Prep time30 min

Cook time0 min

Low Sugar Ginger-Lime Fresh Cabbage Kimchi

Bright red gochugaru, fresh ginger, and a hit of lime juice turn crisp napa cabbage into a punchy, tangy kimchi you can pull together in one bowl. Salting and rinsing the cabbage keeps every piece crunchy while giving the paste plenty to cling to, and a splash of fish sauce and toasted sesame oil round out that savory, deeply seasoned edge. Scallion greens add a fresh bite throughout, and a scatter of toasted sesame seeds on top finishes it off with a little extra texture. The whole thing comes together in minutes and just needs a short chill in the fridge before it's ready to eat, making it an easy homemade condiment to keep on hand. It's a solid pick for an added sugar free kitchen, delivering all that spicy, garlicky, fermented-style flavor without any fuss.

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Ingredients

6 servings

For the cabbage

1 small head napa cabbage (about 2 lb), cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
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1 ½ tsp kosher salt

For the kimchi paste

3 tbsp gochugaru (korean red pepper flakes)
2 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp granulated sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Baking behavior varies by blend: some brown faster or stay softer, while others brown less. Follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
4 scallions, green parts only, cut into 1-inch pieces

For serving

1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
Place the cabbage pieces in a large mixing bowl and toss with the kosher salt until every piece is coated. Let stand at room temperature for 45 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the cabbage has wilted noticeably and released liquid.
2
Transfer the salted cabbage to a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to remove excess salt. Shake well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel, or squeeze gently in small handfuls to remove as much moisture as possible.

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