In Japanese cuisine, we have so many varieties of pickles to accompany our meals. Home cooks often make quick and simple homestyle pickles like this super easy Japanese Pickled Cucumbers with Ginger recipe. This crunchy side dish is a refreshing palate cleanser with a zesty flavor and a warm aroma. You’ll love it with steamed rice! I like to start this quick pickle before I begin prep on the rest of the meal. It’s done in 1–2 hours! Let me show you how easy it is to make it.
What is Tsukemono?
Japanese pickles, or tsukemono (漬物) in Japanese, are a really important part of the Japanese meal. One or a few kinds of pickles are always served with steamed rice and enjoyed as a garnish or palate cleanser. Unlike Western-style pickles, tsukemono are considered “preserved vegetables” as they are not primarily pickled in vinegar. They are usually preserved in salt (shiozuke 塩漬け), rice bran (nukazuke 糠漬け), sake lees (kasuzuke 粕漬け), soy sauce (shoyuzuke 醤油漬け), rice vinegar, (suzuke 酢漬け), or miso (misozuke 味噌漬け). Typical veggies to pickle include cucumber, daikon (Japanese radish), eggplant, cabbage, and ume (Japanese plum).
What is Asazuke?
Today’s pickles are called asazuke (浅漬け), literally meaning “shallow pickling.” The vegetables are pickled only for a short time, between 30 minutes to 2 or 3 hours. They are usually not as salty as other kinds of tsukemono. If you don’t like cucumbers, you can also use napa cabbage (hakusai), daikon, and eggplant for asazuke as well. I put fresh ginger as a seasoning today, but you can also use kombu or chili pepper which are also popular seasoning ingredients.
Ingredients for Pickled Cucumbers with Ginger
You only need 3 ingredients for this quick and easy homestyle pickle!
Japanese cucumbers – or use Persian cucumbers Diamond Crystal kosher salt – use 2% of the cucumber weight knob of fresh ginger
How To Make Pickled Cucumbers with Ginger
The instructions for this cucumber recipe couldn’t be easier! Serve the cucumber and ginger pickles in a small condiment bowl to enjoy with your Japanese meal. I know you’ll love the crispy crunch and fresh taste of this refreshing side dish!
Other Quick Pickles You’ll Love
Everyday Japanese Pickles (Asazuke) Pickled Cucumbers Japanese Pickled Cabbage Pickled Turnip with Yuzu Pickled Napa Cabbage
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