25 Ways to Add Fermented Food and Drinks to Your Diet

Looking to add more fermented food and drinks to your diet in the new year?

Fermented food and drinks can provide your body with a wealth of nutrition. And it’s not just a fad. In fact, fermentation has been around since the Neolithic Era. This ancient art has been used to preserve foods for literally thousands of years.

From nutrient-dense fermented veggies to probiotic-rich kombucha, there are so many tasty ways to add fermented food and drinks to your weekly meal plans. You can even add fermented condiments to meals you’re already making!

The best part?

Making fermented food and drinks is fun. You can experiment with flavorings, length of time, salt ratios, etc. It really is an art that allows you be as creative as you want. You can even get the kids involved. They’ll love coming up with new flavor ideas and being able to check in with their ferments daily!

Don’t know where to start?

These 25 fermented food and drinks recipes from around the blogosphere will have you on your way to being a home fermenter in no time. The recipes below feature a couple of my favorites from my own blog, as well as favorites from fellow bloggers.

25 Ways to Add Fermented Food and Drinks to Your Diet

Kombucha

By now, there is good chance you’ve seen kombucha in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. But what is it exactly? Kombucha is simply fermented tea. It’s made by adding a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria (commonly referred to as a SCOBY) to sweet tea. Let sit for 7-14 days and you’ll have an effervescent and slightly tart beverage. Our favorite part is experimenting with different flavorings. Here are five to get you started!

Strawberry Basil Kombucha – The Roasted Root

Homemade Berry Lemonade Kombucha – Live Simply

Ginger and Turmeric Kombucha – Today in Dietzville

 

Lavender Kombucha – Shalom Mama

Raspberry Lime Homemade Kombucha – Paleo Running Momma

Other Fermented Drinks

Besides kombucha, there are many other types of fermented drinks. You’re probably familiar with wine and beer, but what about some non-alcoholic options? Here are a few of our personal favorites!

Naturally Fermented, Probiotic Lemonade Soda – Nourished Kitchen

Ginger Honey Switchel – Wellness Mama

Fermented Coconut Water – Make Sauerkraut

Cultured Strawberry Soda – Holistic Squid

Fire Cider – Whole-Fed Homestead

Sauerkraut

Until recently, we had sworn off ever eating sauerkraut, mostly due to its smell! As it turns out, once you step away from the canned kind from the grocery store, sauerkraut is actually totally delicious. It’s also chock full of beneficial bacteria. We personally eat it with our breakfast almost every day. It’s incredibly easy to make at home, so get started with these yummy versions!

Thai Chili Sauerkraut – The Wild Gut

Dill Pickle Raw Sauerkraut – The Organic Dietician

Red Cabbage Sauerkraut – Real Food Kosher

DIY Turmeric Jalapeño Sauerkraut – Wicked Spatula

Easy Sauerkraut (AIP/Vegan) – Food to Heal Ourselves

Veggie Ferments

If you’re anything like us, you’re always looking for ways to add in extra veggies throughout the day. Fermented veggies make it easy to grab and go. They’re already peeled, chopped and ready to eat. Plus, fermented veggies make perfect additions to salads, often providing a little crunch or unexpected taste. Here are five fermented vegetable recipes to get you started.

Fermented Ginger Carrots – Savory Lotus

Fermented Jalapeños – Mommypotamus

Fermented Honey Garlic Pickles – Well Preserved

Mom’s Kimchi – Local Adventurer

Crisp & Crunchy Lacto-Fermented Pickled Asparagus – Nourishing Joy

Condiments

Quite possibly the easiest way to add fermented foods to your diet is with fermented condiments!

Spicy Lacto-Fermented Mustard – The Wild Gut

Kefir Ranch Dressing – Phickle

 

Fermented Ketchup – Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Chipotle Pepper Hot Sauce – Pickle Me Too

Kefir Sour Cream – Fermented Food Lab

 

And finally, how refreshing do these Mango Mint Water Kefir Popsicles from Cultures for Health sound? I think they’ll be a staple in our house once summer comes around!

Want more fermentation inspiration?

Be sure to follow our Fermentation is Fun Pinterest Board and we’ll keep the fermented fun coming all year long!