Fresh Ginger Recipes That Are Healthy and Delicious

By Frances Kim
Johnny Fogg
Reap the benefits of this versatile superfood with our flavorful, good-for-you recipes.
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Johnny Fogg

Ginger, the unassuming beige root, may not scream “Antioxidants!” the way vegetables do, but it’s got all the benefits -- and then some. Known to ease digestive problems, nausea, and inflammation, the Southeast Asian superfood is full of hidden powers. Consider these delectable ways to harness them.

Fresh Ginger Basics

What to Look For: Choose pieces that are plump and crisp, not shrunken or fibrous.

How to Store: Store unpeeled ginger in the vegetable crisper of your fridge for up to two weeks. Freeze leftovers for up to six months: Break it into 1- to 2-inch pieces and defrost as needed.

How to Prep: For easy peeling (and minimal waste), use the edge of a spoon to remove the skin. To julienne, thinly slice against the grain, spread in a row like a deck of cars, and slice lengthwise to create long strands. To mince, turn julienned strips 45 degrees and chop.

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Lemon-Ginger Soda

Johnny Fogg
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Ginger and lemon juices are tempered with honey and topped with seltzer for a refreshing, immune-boosting soda.

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Gingery Beet Soup

Johnny Fogg
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Ginger does double duty here -- it's simmered with the root vegetables and used to flavor the yogurt that's swirled in at the end. The soup makes a wonderful vitamin-packed lunch or dinner.

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Ginger-Chicken Slaw

Johnny Fogg
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Ginger usually marries well with garlic, and this salad is no exception. The aromatics are used to flavor both the tangy lime dressing and the juicy roasted chicken breasts.

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Fire-Cider Tonic

Christina Holmes
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Ginger is a must in any version of this herbal folk remedy. Our test kitchen's favorite recipe teams it with rosemary, jalapenos, peppercorns, cinnamon, and citrus in addition to the usual apple-cider vinegar, onion, horseradish, and honey. With all those superfoods, how could it not cure what ails you??!

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Turmeric-Ginger Chicken Soup

Pernille Loof
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Ginger joins another superfood -- turmeric -- in upping the health factor for this nourishing chicken noodle soup. It couldn't be easier to put together, especially if you start with store-bought broth and rotisserie chicken.

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Clementine-Ginger Granita

Bryan Gardner
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Clementine juice is paired with ginger-infused syrup in this couldn't-be-easier frozen dessert. Serve in carefully cut clementine "cups" for a clever presentation.

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Lemon-Ginger Chicken and Green Beans

Armando Rafael
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Ginger appears twice in this dish -- it adds piquancy to the poaching liquid for the chicken and brightens the cucumber salad.

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Spicy Squash Salad with Ginger-Lime Dressing

David Prince
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You're going to want to put this fiery dressing on everything, not just our roasted squash salad. Shallots are left to mellow in lime juice before being whisked with ginger, Thai chiles, and safflower oil.

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Grapefruit, Carrot, and Ginger Juice

Bryan Gardner
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Studies have shown that consuming ginger daily can reduce muscle pain and help prevent chronic illnesses like hypertension. After a hard workout, juice a one-inch piece with your favorite ingredients. Here, we've teamed the superfood with grapefruits and carrots.

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Ginger-Braised Red Cabbage

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Cooking cabbage low and slow brings out the vegetable's natural sweetness. Here, it's amped up with a super-flavorful braising liquid consisting of ginger, shallot, white-wine vinegar, and chicken stock.

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Fried Black Rice with Ginger Tofu and Spinach

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The "Chinese trinity" of ginger, garlic, and scallions is used to marinate the rectangles of tofu that top this healthy fried rice. A touch of Sriracha adds a welcome kick.

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Ginger-Mango Cream Pie

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Ginger adds a hot-sweet zing to the light Neufchatel-yogurt filling in this granola-crusted pie. We went with mango for the topping, but feel free to use any fruit you please.

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Homemade Chai

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Fresh ginger is just one reason why our DIY version of the coffeehouse favorite is so much better for you (not to mention so much tastier!).

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Beet Salad with Ginger Dressing

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Balsamic vinaigrette becomes way more interesting when you throw ginger into the mix. The sweet, slightly spicy dressing is the perfect partner for earthy roasted beets.

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Gingery Salmon Burgers

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Juicy salmon patties need little more than ginger, Dijon, and fresh chives to shine. The best part? You can get this healthy dinner on the table in just 15 minutes.

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