Easy Candied Ginger

You will love this recipe if you have ever wondered what to do with that big piece of ginger sitting in your fridge!

⭐️ Why You Should Try It

• It tastes SO much better than store-bought: homemade candied ginger is fresher, more tender, and has a stronger citrusy flavor!
• It’s healthier: while it’s still a sugary treat, you know exactly what is inside. No preservatives or coloring here. Ginger is also well known for its health benefits, from calming nausea to healing upset stomach and easing period pain.
• It’s easy to make: With just 4 ingredients and a straightforward process, you will be surprised by how easy it is to make candied ginger at home! Plus, it makes a great gift!

📘 What Is Candied Ginger

Candied ginger, or crystallized ginger, is fresh ginger cooked in sugar syrup. It is sweet and spicy with a fresh and zesty flavor. It can be consumed as candy or used in other recipes.

The process of making candied fruit appeared during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, as a way to preserve fresh fruits. The high sugar content, as well as the reduced moisture of candied fruit, preserves it from growing mold.

🥣 How to Make It

Preparing candied ginger is much easier than you probably think! It requires just 4 basic ingredients and consists of a straightforward process. There are different ways to make candied ginger. Here, we will use a Vietnamese-inspired method, which I find the quickest and easiest.

Here is what you will need:

• Fresh ginger – I recommend using the freshest ginger you can find. Not only will the flavor be better, but it will also be easier to slice thinly. Use small roots, which are usually less fibrous than the larger ones.
• Sugar – I recommend sticking to regular white sugar. I tried this recipe using coconut sugar but got no satisfying results.
• Salt and lime – Salt will help drain some moisture from the ginger while lime will prevent the ginger from getting a darker color.

Prepare the ginger

First, peel and slice the ginger roots. I personally used a sharp knife, but you can also use a mandolin if you want to save time.

Once done, rinse the ginger under cold water, and toss it with the salt. Let sit for 30 minutes. This step helps remove moisture from the ginger and gives it some elasticity.

Cook the ginger

Next, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the ginger slices. Boil for about 5 minutes.

Why boil? Boiling the ginger will remove some of its spiciness. I usually boil it once, drain it, and boil it a second time. For a spicy flavor, boil just once. However, if you want a sweeter flavor, boil it 3 to 4 times.

Once the ginger has been drained, transfer it to a bowl and add the sugar. Toss to coat with the sugar and let it sit overnight. The sugar will dissolve and create a syrup.

Crystallize the ginger

Finally, transfer the ginger and the syrup to a non-stick skillet. Cook, constantly stirring, until no more liquid remains.

Once the ginger has fully absorbed the syrup, remove from heat and keep stirring for another 3-5 minutes. As it cools down, the sugar will start to crystallize and create a thin sugar coating around the ginger pieces.

💬 FAQ

🍪 Where to Use It

Candied ginger is versatile and can be used in many recipes:

• In cookies, cakes, and bread: Especially in Christmas or Thanksgiving desserts, it’s perfect to add freshness, spiciness, and a citrusy flavor.
• As a snack: To satisfy your mid-afternoon cravings!
• In oatmeal or granola: Cut into cubes and stir into your warm bowl of oats, or add to your favorite granola recipe.
• To make chocolate barks: Melt chocolate, pour into molds, and top with candied ginger, nuts, etc!
• In savory dishes: cut it into small cubes and add it to salads or stir-fried rice.