Fermenting vegetables 101: The ancient art of preservation

Curious about fermented food? Chances are you've eaten it for years; sauerkraut on the side, pickles on your burger or a tall glass of kombucha. Discover the benefits of fermentation, and learn how to get started fermenting vegetables at home.

What is fermenting?

Fermenting vegetables is an ancient food preservation technique used across the world. Like water bath canning, another method of preserving food without freezing or canning, you may safely store fermented food for months or even years.

The basic fermented foods definition is foods or beverages produced through controlled microbial growth and the conversion of food components through enzymatic action. 

Fermenting vs pickling

Andy Herneisen of Penn State notes that fermentation occurs when good bacteria and yeast act on the natural sugars in vegetables to produce acid. With quick pickling, on the other hand, vinegar produces the acid.

Fermented vegetables may last up to six months when refrigerated, while canned pickled vegetables may last even longer.

Benefits of fermenting vegetables

Learning how to ferment at home is easy and may benefit your health and wallet. Some ways fermented vegetables may help you include: 

• Boost your gut health with probiotics found in fermented foods.
• Preserve your garden harvest inexpensively without relying on electric appliances like fridges or freezers.
• Enhance your meals with unique flavors and textures.

Fermenting veggies has enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity. According to Yelp, an online directory, searches for "pickle flavored food" were up 55 percent in 2023. 

I took a class on making kombucha at home and immediately became obsessed with all things kombucha, especially coming up with fresh flavors. Fermenting was easier than I thought it would be. The class helped to break things down in a helpful, friendly way.

Susannah Brinkley Henry, Feast + West

Popular fermented foods

You've tasted fermented foods if you've eaten or sipped the following.

• Yogurt
• Wine
• Beer
• Sourdough bread
• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Tempeh
• Natto
• Miso

How fermenting works

Through fermentation, bacteria and yeast break down the sugars in vegetables. This process, lacto-fermentation, produces lactic acid, which acts as a natural preservative. Lactic acid gives fermented foods a tangy flavor and enhances their nutritional value with higher vitamin levels and probiotics for gut health. 

To ferment your veggies successfully, you must create an anaerobic environment (without oxygen) so the good bacteria can thrive while harmful ones are kept at bay.

One of my favorite easy lacto-fermented vegetables recipes involves carrots and cabbage!

How to ferment vegetables

Fermenting is a straightforward process. Begin by choosing a simple, proven recipe from a trusted source, like this one for fermented dill pickles. 

I love making homemade sauerkraut. The fresh, crispy crunchy flavor is so delicious in sandwiches and all by itself. Once I discovered how easy fermenting was, I started trying to ferment everything.

Laura Sampson, Little House Big Alaska 

Fermenting equipment

Gather your fermenting equipment. Fermentation equipment is pretty basic. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Wide-mouth glass jars or fermentation crocks to hold your veggies during the fermentation process. I LOVE to buy antique fermentation crocks in second-hand stores. But I've also had good results with this over-the-counter fermentation crock.
• Weights to submerge the vegetables in brine. Use a small plate or even clean rocks.
• Non-iodized salt, such as sea salt.
• Filtered water.
• Fresh organic vegetables picked within the past 24 hours. Choose from favorites like cabbage for sauerkraut or cucumbers for pickles. I also love making preserved lemons, which I use in Middle Eastern recipes.

Wash all your fermenting equipment and supplies thoroughly with hot water.

Prepare vegetables

Choose fresh vegetables from your potager garden or local farmer's market. 

Before you start fermenting, clean your veggies thoroughly to remove any dirt or bugs. 

Cut your vegetables into uniform pieces.

Prepare brine

The brine is the salty liquid that covers the vegetables. 

Regarding salting, choose pickling or high-quality sea salt without additives. Don't use iodized table salt, as it interferes with fermenting. Use dry salt or make a brine by combining the salt with water. 

Add the required herbs or spices from your recipe.

Soak vegetables and store

Place prepared vegetables in the fermenting crock and cover them entirely with brine. Weigh the veggies down with your plate or rock. 

Set your crock in a cool, dark place at 70 to 75 F. 

The fermentation time depends on the recipe you use and may take anywhere from a week to several weeks. It depends on the temperature, the size of each veggie piece, and the vegetable itself. You should find this information in your chosen recipe.

For more information on fermentation, including recipes, salting techniques and ratios, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation. 

Fermented vegetable tips

To keep your fermented foods safe for longer, keep them in sealed containers, which provide an oxygen-free environment. Ensure the vegetables remain covered with brine. Store the containers in a fridge or a cool dark area like a closed pantry, basement or cupboard. 

Enjoy fermented veggies as a tasty snack, side dish, or in your favorite recipes. For example, add pickled cucumbers to canned tuna or fermented carrots to salads for a flavorful twist.

Remember to follow proven food preservation techniques to avoid creating contaminated and unsafe food. Invest in a book like the “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving” for detailed, step-by-step instructions for safe fermentation methods.

Ferment to preserve healthy vegetables for the long term 

Fermenting vegetables is an inexpensive and straightforward way to preserve your garden harvest and add healthy probiotics to your diet. With just a few supplies and patience, fermenting veggies at home is easy. 

Fermentation recipes

For more pickling and preserving guides:

Sarita Harbour is a homeschooling, homesteading mom and a long-time business and finance writer. Sarita created An Off Grid Life to help people become more self-reliant. Sarita and her family live off the grid in Canada's Northwest Territories. 

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.