101 Ways to Cook with Ginger

The richness of the broth comes from what’s basically an Asian version of soffrito, the Italian “starter paste” that flavors so many delicious soups and sauces. Whereas the Italian version is a mixture of sautéed celery, onions, garlic, bell peppers, and sometimes tomato paste, this version uses miso, onion, ginger, and garlic sautéed in toasty sesame oil until browned and caramelized. We opt for red miso here, the saltiest and most pungent kind. If you only have white miso on hand, it will work, too; you just might want to add a splash of soy sauce to deepen the flavor.

Just a little lime and ginger help to macerate the fresh fruits so they can release their juices. Grapes, diced nectarines, or blackberries would also be delicious.

"The fragrant noodle soup we love to slurp on cool evenings is actually the breakfast of champions," says cookbook author Andrea Nguyen. "It's a fabulous wake-up call that energizes and satisfies. Toasting spices and searing ginger help extract flavor fast, while poaching the chicken in the stock adds savory depth," Nguyen says. This broth is a lower-sodium adaptation of Nguyen's recipe.

End your day with drinks that give you a boost. Warm coconut milk and turmeric will lull you to sleep.

Serve this one-pot complete meal in shallow bowls, ladling the rich broth over the tender chicken, vegetables, and grains. We call for whole-grain hulled—sometimes labeled hull-less—barley here. Pearled barley is not ideal for this dish; while tasty, it is not a whole grain, and it would overcook as the chicken simmers. If you can’t find hulled barley, you can use wheat berries, spelt, whole-grain (not pearled) farro, or rye berries. Toasting the grains first delivers deep, malty flavor; it’s worth the extra few minutes to get that extra depth.

Infuse a warm cup of Earl Grey with the flavors of lemon and ginger with these innovative ice cubes. Frozen together, along with throat soothing honey, the ice cubes bring a world of flavor and take a normal cup of tea from basic to impressive.

Congee is a homey, simple rice porridge, a classic comfort food in China. Cooking just a little bit of rice in a lot of water allows all the starch to escape and become creamy, much like a risotto. The slow cooker does all the work here, breaking down the rice with fragrant ginger and star anise and poaching the chicken until silky. A bit of chili oil is the vibrant kick this dish needs. You can also use Sriracha or a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Cilantro or baby spinach leaves can work in place of the watercress.

A simple cocktail base, or drink for warmer weather, this Easy Ginger Spritzer is a refreshing treat.

A corner of Cusco's San Pedro Market is devoted to open kitchens where Quechua women make this soup with new crop potatoes and tough old stewing hens, which can stand up to the long simmering time better than young chickens. We find that widely available roasting hens—older than broilers and fryers—work just fine, growing tender and succulent after hours of stewing. The lime-herb-chile garnish makes the dish sing with flavor.

Refreshing ginger and mint steep in antioxidant abundant green tea, for a supremely soothing tonic. If enjoying before bedtime, opt for decaffeinated green tea bags for an easier sleep.

Salty, savory miso becomes the backbone of this soup; try adding it to dressings and marinades too. We add chile-and-honey-spiked pork meatballs to the soup; you could also use shredded rotisserie chicken breast or cubed tofu. Want to get ahead on tomorrow's dinner? Double the meatball mixture, shape half into patties, and sear for Asian-style sliders. Serve with Baby Bok Choy and Cucumber Salad.

The apple-ginger combo of this fizzy kombucha is an exciting variation of the tea drink. Kombucha already has a faint apple flavor, so the additional apple juice enhances that existing apple cider flavor. Ginger gives the kombucha a warm, zingy kick.

Teff flour is a soft, almost-fluffy whole-grain flour with an intense nuttiness that makes it excellent for baking. But the beauty of fresh gingerbread is finding the perfect texture—delicate yet dense—so we add a bit of hearty whole-wheat flour to give this treat a heftier, more winter-worthy base. Stout beers adds a pleasantly earthy bitterness that complements the molasses, fresh ginger, and cinnamon; any frothy leftovers will pair nicely with a still-warm baked square. If you don't have any stout on hand, simply use 1/4 cup additional buttermilk instead.

We turn the traditional appetizer of chicken skewers and dipping sauce into a main course by spooning the satay sauce over sliced grilled chicken breasts.

This takeout favorite is typically laden with beef and coated with a sticky-sweet sauce. Our makeover makes crisp-tender snow peas, broccoli, and carrots the star, with seared flank steak as the supporting player. We also balanced the blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil in the sauce. We’ve kept our version family friendly by omitting the heat, but you can add a sliced red chile or a healthy pinch of crushed red pepper if you like. You can also change up the vegetables: Try snap peas, mushrooms, red bell pepper, or cauliflower florets. Sesame Soba Noodles are made of buckwheat flour and have a toasty, nutty flavor. You can sub whole-wheat linguine if you can't find them.

This is the dessert you cook when you want to make a big impression. Everything about it, from the ginger kick in the crust to the sweet earthiness of the beets in the filling to the rich goat cheese in the topping, comes together in beautiful harmony. Be sure to use an 11-inch tart pan to accommodate the filling; a 10-inch pie plate will work in a pinch. Look for buttermilk powder on the baking or with the powdered milk.

The greens become wonderfully silky and aromatic once stirred into a fragrant of broth of coconut milk, curry powder, garlic, and fresh ginger. Since the greens are already cooked, they only need to be warmed through in the sauce. If you haven't made a batch of greens, stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Top with any mild, firm white fish, chicken, or shrimp. Chicken or shrimp would also be fine substitutes. Serve each bowl with a lime wedge; a squeeze brings the whole dish together.

Sherry vinegar has more depth and less tang and sharpness than other vinegars. It rounds out the sweet honey and pungent ginger. Since the thin glaze would burn on the grill if added too early, grill the pork most of the way through, then brush with the glaze and turn continuously for the final 6 minutes or until done. A fresh, crisp salad is a welcome change of pace from the usual fall side of roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. We love the look of watermelon radishes in this fresh, crisp salad, but any radish will work. You can also round out this meal with Chili-Spiced Potatoes for a comforting side. If you don't have sherry vinegar, sub red wine vinegar or cider vinegar.

This recipe is based on a classic Chinese dumpling filling, made instead into meatballs and poached in a gingery tomato sauce. The technique of mixing the meat until just tacky gives it that characteristic pot-sticker-filling bounciness. The tender, saucy meatballs pair wonderfully with white or brown rice.

This is comfort food. It's warm and creamy, even though there's no cream in it. Vietnamese like variation in their food—not just one flavor or texture. The crispy ginger slices and fresh herbs add just the right amount of zap to the dish. Shredded butternut squash will melt beautifully into the congee; use a box grater or the shredding disc of a food processor.

The addition of turmeric boosts the Indian flavor and the antioxidants in chai tea. Our healthier version mixes fresh ginger, cardamom pods, and whole cloves in orange pekoe tea sweetened with honey.

Smarter carbs are easy with the handy spiralizer—it works like a pencil sharpener to create long strands of veggies. Find the tool at kitchen stores and amazon.com. Spiralized veggies are showing up everywhere—in salads, in place of pasta, and even in desserts. These sweet potato "zoodles" transform a traditional pad thai recipe into a fun twist on a weeknight favorite. The best news? This recipe comes together in 20 minutes, making it a go-to for any busy weeknight. Break out your spiralizer, get the family involved, and get cooking on your new favorite recipe featuring the best of fall flavor.

Adams salts her chicken the night before. To keep sodium levels low, we don't use additional salt, as enough is provided by the preserved lemon. You can also use these bright, tart, briny lemons to season stews, braises, dressings, and sauces. High heat gives the chicken tasty char, and flipping the bird over partway through cooking helps the breast self-baste while the underside browns. Like other flavor-packed ingredients, a little goes a long way. If you don't have Aleppo pepper (a classic Mediterranean seasoning), sub 1/8 teaspoon each of paprika and ground red pepper. While the chicken chills overnight, uncovered, the skin dries, which helps it brown and crisp better.

Because the wings get a good bit of char, the type of honey you use isn't as important here (it'll lose its subtler nuances). Though we remove the skin from the wings, you'd never know it—they pick up an irresistible crispy crunch as the glaze cooks under the broiler. Give yourself a better grip when skinning each wing by holding it with a paper towel in one hand and pulling the skin with another paper towel in the other hand.

Making your own spice blend is worth it. For starters, salt is the main ingredient in jarred spice blends. Making your own lets you control the sodium and use fresh ingredients. You can make the kebabs and buttermilk mixture a day ahead and refrigerate until you're ready to cook.

Any ramen lover will tell you—it's all about the broth. We build layers of rich umami flavor with the help of mushroom stems, fresh ginger, kombu (a type of edible kelp), sesame oil, and, of course, low and slow heat.

You'll find everything but the tiki torch in this updated retro classic. Give the drumsticks a head start on a hot grill pan; then lower the heat so the glaze won't burn. Go meatless by swapping 3/4-inch-thick slices of extra-firm tofu for drumsticks. Glaze and grill 3 minutes on each side. 

Halve the tofu lengthwise for more surface area so the water can drain out quickly; then pat dry so it won't spatter in the pan. Sweet chili sauce has less heat than Sriracha. A bit of sugar balances its vinegar punch. Find it in the international aisle.

Green tomato adds nice tang to the mix. White wine vinegar works in place of sherry. Chilled bowls will keep the soup extra refreshing.

Marinated chicken simmered in an aromatic coconut broth = flavor building at its finest. This Southeast Asian-inspire bowl is all about big flavor with minimal effort. When working with lemongrass, give the stalk a couple of whacks with the back of a knife before chopping to release its flavorful oils.

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat, a wheat-free grain (look for packages that specify gluten-free), and they cook in only 3 minutes. Look for them in the international aisle.

Poaching helps ensure fresh lobster stays soft and cooks to perfection. Simmer gently so the lobster stays supple.

This is a lovely dessert, the rum adding a nice French touch (because the French were colonialists in sugar cane countries, they have a huge penchant for rum). Here, along with ginger, it adds rich depth. To ease prep, purchase precut melons in the produce section; some stores offer a mix of melons in a single pack.

The sweet-sticky glaze makes this salmon dinner a winner with the kids. The honey-ginger glazes packs a ton of flavor without a long list of ingredients or extra time in the kitchen. With such little preparation, these salmon filets are the perfect weeknight meal that you can easily add into your cooking rotation. Complete the meal with a side of roasted or steamed carrots and a hearty spoonful of brown rice for a well-balanced meal.

The vinaigrette doubles as a sauce for the noodles and a glaze before the chicken hits the grill. The noodle mixture and the chicken can also be made a couple of days ahead.

This takeout favorite is fast and easy with a little prep help from the kids.

Have your little helpers mix up the glaze, while older kids can help skewer the beef.

Grating jalapeño, ginger, and garlic allows them to infuse the coconut milk with bold flavor quickly, while caramelizing the mixture intensifies the savory-sweet appeal of this saucy noodle bowl.

"Brussels sprouts are best when caramelized," says Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable. "Tossing the roasted vegetables with rich, salty fish sauce enhances the sweet notes created by the cooking process.

Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Ripple relies on fish sauce to bring a new dimension to marinades and vinaigrettes. She finds that this salty pantry staple is especially appealing in crisp salads. "Fish sauce creates this exotic Thai flavor without being overpowering," she says.

The combination of carrots, Fresno chili, brown sugar, fresh ginger, and green onions give this soup a sweet and spicy flavor.

Homemade teriyaki sauce is much fresher and more vibrant than bottled sauce and makes for a delicious sweet-salty glaze on lean pork tenderloin. Mirin lends this sauce a rich flavor; it’s a sweet rice cooking wine that you'll find near the rice vinegar on the Asian foods aisle. If you can't find it, you can substitute sweet Riesling, dry or cream sherry, or sweet marsala wine. It would be a shame to let any of that luscious sauce go to waste; serve over a bed of brown rice to soak it all up.

Turn up the volume on classic glazed carrots with exotic cardamom and fragrant fresh ginger. If you can find multicolored carrots, use them for a lovely presentation, as we did in the photo. The parchment paper lid slows moisture loss just enough to form a beautiful glaze.

Flecked with peppery watercress, these soft chicken dumplings make for a slurpy-good appetizer soup. Be sure to use regular ground chicken (not chicken breast) for the best flavor and texture. For this recipe, you'll be making the nurse's cap dumpling shape. The sauce, all the fillings, and the broth for this soup can be made a day or two ahead of the party. If making dumplings just for you and your family, you can double up and freeze a batch of uncooked dumplings. No need to thaw before cooking—just add an extra minute or two to the cook time.

Pea shoots offer the crunch of a salad green with the springy sweetness of green peas. They take wonderfully to Asian seasonings like soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger. Grating garlic accentuates its pungency.

Chinese restaurants serve mu shu pork with Mandarin pancakes. On a busy weeknight, whole-wheat tortillas are an easy sub. Look for trimmed boneless pork shoulder. If all you see are large cuts, ask your butcher to cut off a 1-pound portion.

There is very little hands-on prep here; your oven does most of the work. The combination of flavors is exuberant, and the texture of the chicken is as succulent as can be.

We cook the quinoa twice—once to absorb the liquid, and again to make it wonderfully creamy. Top that with chipotle and soy glazed chicken thighs for an irresistible meal. 

The pleating of these dumplings is a bit more advanced; if guests have trouble, they can make half-moons and skip the pleating. Make the chile oil up to 5 days ahead; store in the fridge, but bring to room temperature before serving.

Reserve some marinade to serve as the sauce, saving time and uniting flavors. For extra charred flavor, cook the veggies in a cast-iron skillet directly on the grill instead of the stovetop.

Shumai (pronounced "shoe-my") are pretty open-faced, purse-shaped dumplings. Though there are no seams to seal and the shape is generally free-form, it does take a little finesse. If you can't find round gyoza skins, cut square wonton wrappers into 3- or 3 1/2-inch circles with a biscuit cutter.

Combined with sliced radishes, baby bok choy, and dried apricots, the remaining meat from Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff forms an Asian salad with fresh flavor.

Mint is decidedly one of the most refreshing flavors, especially when paired with ginger and blood oranges. This non-alcoholic beverage delivers a delightfully pungent, spicy kick with every sip.

A quick boil enhances the chicken stock with aromatics for a fragrant broth. Gentle poaching keeps the chicken breast juicy and tender.

Kids will love swapping forks for skewers to build their own kebab bites. The sweet-savory glazed chicken is perfect served with basmati rice and crisp steamed veggies.

We love the heat level in this slow cooker take on tikka masala to fend off winter chill. If the spice kick is too much for your family, you can cut the red pepper down by half without losing any of the dynamic flavor layers.

The vibrant glaze—which pulls bold flavors from soy sauce, honey, lime juice, fresh ginger, and garlic—would be equally delicious on chicken breasts or pork chops.

The perfect dinner with some leftover rotisserie chicken you have in the fridge.

Flavorful chicken thighs might just be our favorite cut. Here we dress them up with a simple ginger-scallion sauce.

Our take saves 446 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 1,260 milligrams of sodium over one serving of a leading chain's sweet and sour chicken.

Pearled farro is a fine sub for brown rice. While hearty, pearled farro isn't a whole grain; unpearled, whole-grain farro cooks in about 30 minutes.

Paired with peppery ginger, the anise flavor of Thai basil gives you a highly refreshing summer sipper. Look for kaffir lime leaves at Asian markets. If kaffir leaves are unavailable, simply omit. This recipe will also work nicely with fresh mint or cilantro sprigs instead of Thai basil.

Cider, chopped apple, butternut squash, and parsnips lend appealingly forward sweetness to this fall harvest stew. Unfiltered apple cider has pectins that help thicken the stew. If you use filtered, clear cider, add another tablespoon of flour.

The red chiles add vibrant color and deep, fruity heat. If you can't find them, substitute ¼ cup thinly sliced Fresno peppers (which are much milder). Look for very young ginger; it will have thinner skin and a less fibrous interior.

Ditch the greasy fried chicken fingers in favor of these sweet glazed chicken bites. They're the perfect size for popping into your mouth or serving on skewers. This dish is prepared with boneless, skinless chicken thighs but feel free to use chicken breasts if you have them on hand.

Tender pieces of lamb soak up the ginger, saffron, cinnamon, and cumin that flavor this Mediterranean stew. Sweet golden raisins, whole-wheat couscous, fresh carrots, and green olives simmered together round out the dish.