The Best Ways to Eat Raw Ginger for Health & Flavor

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posted on 6 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Zesty, spicy, and aromatic? Ginger certainly is a delicious ingredient! Not only is raw ginger a healthy addition to any diet, but it’s also incredibly tasty. But how can you add more fresh ginger to your diet? We’ve laid out all the possibilities in this article, from using ginger for health benefits to adding it to your favorite dishes.

Things You Should Know

Pop a slice of fresh, raw ginger in your mouth to help soothe a tummy ache and indigestion.
Steep chopped raw ginger in boiling water to make an immune-boosting, throat-soothing tea.
Cook fresh ginger by mincing it up and tossing it into stir-fries, soups, and baked treats.

Eating Raw Ginger for Health Benefits

Chew on raw ginger to settle indigestion. If you’re suffering from a stomach ache, a bit of raw ginger might help. Peel a fresh ginger root, and slice off a thin piece. Chew on the piece of ginger the same way you would a piece of gum. Once there’s no more flavor, spit the ginger out and start chewing a new piece. Store your cut ginger in a resealable bag in the fridge for up to 6 weeks to use again later.

Make hot tea from ginger to help a cough. While there’s little evidence that ginger can help with a cough, this root's warming, anti-inflammatory properties may provide some relief. Try making a flavorful tea by cutting a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of ginger into small pieces. Place the ginger in a mug, and pour in 1 c (240 mL) of boiling water. Allow the hot tea to cool for at least 5 minutes before drinking. Peeling the ginger root chunk before you slice isn’t necessary, but it may make a more flavorful tea. Sweeten the tea by adding 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of honey and a few squeezes of lemon juice.

Run ginger through your juicer before blending smoothies or juices. If you’re juicing as part of your diet, try adding a hint of ginger flavor to your juice. Before making your juice, slice a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of ginger root and toss it into the juicer. Juice the ginger, removing the leftover pulp and remnants. Now, make your juice as normal. Placing the ginger through the juicer first will give your juice a zesty flavor without adding chunks of ginger to your beverage. Ginger can help ease bloating, constipation, and blood sugar levels, all while boosting your immune system, making it an excellent addition to any juice blend. If you prefer chewing on ginger, consider tossing it in with the rest of your ingredients.

Using Raw Ginger in Recipes

Use ginger when making a root vegetable soup. The spiciness of ginger pairs well with creamy soups, especially those made with root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips. Not only are these soups tasty, but the touch of zesty spice can warm you right up in winter! Make a simple root vegetable soup by following these steps: Measure out 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh chopped ginger, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of ground coriander, and ⁄2 tsp (2.5 mL) of ground mustard seeds. Add your ingredients and ⁄2 tsp (2.5 mL) of curry powder to 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of hot oil in a heavy pot. Add 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh minced ginger, 2 c (470 mL) of chopped onions, and 4 c (950 mL) of thinly sliced carrots to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes, then add 5 c (1,200 mL) of chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 30 minutes. Once cool, blend the soup in batches in a food processor or blender until it’s smooth. Return it to the soup pot and add broth ⁄4 c (59 mL) at a time if it’s too thick.

Grate fresh ginger into a stir-fry for a spicy flavor. Believe it or not, making stir-fry is super easy, and raw ginger happens to be a perfect ingredient. Simply mix your favorite protein and vegetables with a few ounces of oil in a frying pan. Once the oil starts sizzling, grate a bit of ginger into the pan to add extra flavor. Cover the stir-fry in your favorite Asian sauce (soy sauce, chili oil, and/or hoisin sauce), and you’re ready to serve. Ginger pairs beautifully with carrots and broccoli in a stir-fry. Try using cut chicken, beef, or tofu as your protein. Consider adding the ginger to the oiled pan first for a more mellow flavor. The longer fresh ginger cooks, the less flavorful it’ll be.

Add fresh ginger to desserts that call for ground ginger. Believe it or not, you can add ginger to most cookie, cake, and pie recipes to spice them up. Many autumnal treats call for ground ginger; however, you can replace this powdered spice with fresh, raw ginger for even more flavor. For instance, fresh ginger adds a festive spice to pumpkin pie and banana bread. Fresh ginger is usually more potent than ground, dry ginger, so keep that in mind when baking. For instance, consider reducing the amount of ginger by ¾ or ½ when using fresh. The longer you let the ginger mingle with other flavors, the stronger the taste will be. If you’re making a pumpkin pie, for example, bake the pie the day before you want to serve it for a stronger ginger flavor. Experiment with using raw ginger in baked goods by making fresh ginger root cake, ginger cookies, gingerbread cake, and ginger oatmeal bars.

Make a salad dressing with fresh chopped ginger. Why buy salad dressing when you can make it at home from scratch? Ginger gives salad greens a lovely kick, especially when paired with an acidic base. Follow these instructions to make ginger salad dressing: Add ⁄4 c (59 mL) of oil and ⁄4 c (59 mL) of vinegar to a blender. Choose whichever oil and vinegar flavors you like. Then, add a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of ginger, finely chopped. Toss in a pinch of salt, pepper, and other preferred spices. Blend everything until it’s smooth.