Sometimes kimchi is brutal because of its acidity and spicy punch of aged gochujang. Meet Caramelized Kimchi Recipe with melted butter and brown sugar - the gentler but addictive Korean fermented cabbage.

Sizzle up traditional kimchi with dairy or vegan butter and brown sugar. The tangy kimchi juices reduce into a nutty aroma of golden brown jammy sauce in a matter of moments. Serve like kimchi relishes with pasta, burgers, and hot dogs. I like to keep it as a side dish with my favourite bulgogi or pork belly!

> In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Korean Brown Sugar Caramelized Kimchi

If you are an avid kimchi lover like me and want to add kimchi literally to everything yet are tired of the same aggressive ripe kimchi sharpness, a good alternative is to sweeten it with brown sugar or maple syrup.

Check out this quick story summary of our recipe!

Jump to:

• What Is Kimchi?
• Is Kimchi Keto Friendly?
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Instructions
• > Recipe
• Easy Caramelized Kimchi Recipe (Brown Butter Sugar)

What Is Kimchi?

Let's begin with what is kimchi? Kimchi (김치 in Hangul) is a traditional Korean fermented side dish made with napa cabbage, salt, Gochugaru, green onions, garlic, ginger, fresh herbs and jeotgal (salted seafood), etc. This humble side dish has been a staple in Korean cuisine for generations.

What Does Kimchi Taste Like?

Through fermentation, kimchi is sour, salty and spicy. Kimchi liquid is sharp and acidic with an underlying sweet umami flavour profile.

Kimchi is healthy and actually good for you! Thanks to all that pickling and fermentation process! Kimchi is packed with fibre, beta-carotene, vitamins, minerals and natural probiotic bacteria, which benefit your healthy gut microbiome! Those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome will find benefits.

Kimchi Fermentation Membranes

The World Institute of Kimchi (WiKim) announced that the original source of lactic acid bacteria was found in kimchi. 

This traditional Korean fermented vegetable contains microorganisms community of Leuconostoc, Weissella, and Lactobacillus dominant strains.

Salt, via osmotic shock, inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms in kimchi and regulates microorganisms' growth.

Add kimchi to a variety of soups and stews. It is wonderful! 

Here are a couple kimchi-forward bowls I am genuinely obsessed with from the blog! Both these recipes are plant-based and vegan!

• Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice
• Vegan Green Apple Kimchi (No Fish Sauce)
• Vegan Spicy Beef Stew (Yukgaejang) 육개장 
• Kimchi Jjigae

Is Kimchi Keto Friendly?

Kimchi is a nutrient-dense keto-friendly side dish with a low-calorie, and net carbs count (less than 1 gram of net carbs per 100-gram serving!) 

Those trying to lose weight may find the positive effects of the kimchi diet plan helpful along with exercise. Add kimchi to your menu, diversify your diet with its tangy flavour, and increase your veggie intake!  

Although in low-carb food, kimchi is a good source of electrolytes rich in sodium and potassium. 

Ingredients and Substitutes

This caramelized kimchi recipe can be made vegan using plant-based alternatives.

Store Bought Kimchi - Your local Korean supermarket or Asian grocery store typically carries different varieties of kimchi in large jars. Look for them in the refrigerated section.

Not all kimchi are vegan. You can make vegan kimchi easily at home too! We always have a jar of kimchi in the refrigerator! 

Butter - Your choice of plant-based butter or traditional butter made with dairy. Unsalted butter is best since the kimchi is already salty. Also, salted butter foams more compared to unsalted butter. Adding butter will make an extra creamy sauce. 

You can skip this or replace it with neutral vegetable oil for a lighter rendering.

Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup - Caramelize the kimchi with brown sugar (beurre noisette) to make a knockout relish. The technique adds a lovely, savoury, rich nutty flavour to any recipe.

Optional Ingredients:

Gochujang - Add Korean hot pepper paste to make it an extra spicy kimchi relish recipe. Substitute Gochugaru Red Chili Pepper Powder for Gochujang is also acceptable!

Sesame Oil

Soy Sauce

You can purchase most dry goods ingredients, tools and supplies at your local grocery stores or online at my Amazon Store. I have linked the products for your convenience!

Instructions

Cooking kimchi with brown sugar quickly changes the composition and rhythm of an otherwise mean and intense, unique flavour profile of kimchi. The strong flavors and taste of kimchi change from sour taste to a smoky sweet, spicy Korean dish. 

Melt butter in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Let it swirl around to ensure that it melts and browns evenly.

After browning the butter, add kimchi with a slotted spoon and brown sugar. Also, add other optional ingredients if desired. Cook at medium-high heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. 

The kimchi will let out excess water. Don't worry. Just cook it off. The kimchi butter mixture will caramelize and turn jammy. If you further cook it down it turns into Kimchi Jam.

Serve and enjoy in a large bowl. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Pro Tip: If there is leftover pan sauce, the best way to not let that go to waste is to cook Korean rice cakes or add it to a bulgogi marinade. 

Meal-Prep Tips

You can efficiently work this caramelized fermented napa cabbage recipe into your family meal prep ideas for the week. Next time you need help to jumpstart your gut health, this perfectly jammy kimchi is a great way to aid weight loss and boost the immune system.

Keto dieters will also approve of this low-calorie vegetable dish with health benefits!

Brown butter caramelized kimchi can be served as a cold appetizer, a side dish, or a 

nice garnish to cooked rice and ramen noodle bowls!

Divide the mixture and portion in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Though ours never lasts that long.

What To Serve With The Best Sweet Kimchi Recipe

Serve as a modern traditional Korean side dish. Enjoy with bulgogi pork chops, on toasted fresh sourdough, or in kimchi grilled cheese! Adding kimchi is an excellent addition to a balanced diet.  

You will love the spicy flavours if you enjoy this bold and rich kimchi recipe.

• Korean Spicy Beef Stew
• Korean Green Onion Salad
• Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice

I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.

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