Kimchi is a delicious Korean dish made from fermented cabbage. It’s an excellent topping for many dishes, from pizza to salad to pancakes. Below are first easy vegan kimchi recipes, then a number of vegan recipes where you can use the kimchi.
1. Vegan Kimchi By The Viet Vegan
This vegan kimchi recipe from The Viet Vegan is one of the tastiest vegan kimchis ever. The mixture features Korean radish, carrots, and green onions for an array of fresh flavors.
The spice mixture has lots of garlic and ginger, plus apple or pear, which adds a subtle sweetness. For kimchi that will wow your friends and becomes your new favorite topping, save this fantastic and easy recipe.
2. Spicy Vegan Kimchi By Brand New Vegan
If you want kimchi with lots of character and some heat, it doesn’t get better than Brand New Vegan’s spicy kimchi recipe. The recipe combines Napa cabbage, carrots, green onions, and Korean chile flakes for a mouthwatering flavor.
It’s the perfect way to spice up a weeknight soup or enhance the flavors of a simple sandwich. The addition of mushrooms brings an earthy flavor with a unique texture that differs from the cabbage. And the maple syrup only enhances the vibrant spices and balances everything as it ferments.
3. Easy Vegan Kimchi By Minimalist Baker
This kimchi is one of the easiest ones to make and one of the healthiest. Plus, Minimalist baker includes a super simple and delicious vegan fish sauce recipe that you should hang onto!
The final result is a bit spicy but not overpowering, perfect for someone that likes a little heat but nothing too intense. You can toss this kimchi together in less than 10 minutes, and it’ll be ready to eat within 48 hours. But the longer you let it ferment, the deeper the flavors will become.
4. Homemade Vegan Kimchi Recipe By Serious Eats
Serious Eats aims to perfectly replace the dried shrimp flavor that non-vegan kimchis usually have. They achieve this by incorporating a decent helping of miso paste to mimic the fishy but sweet flavor.
The recipe also only calls for eight ingredients, so it’s one of the easiest to make in a pinch if you have cabbage. But the blog recommends allowing it to ferment for 500 hours, roughly eight days.
5. Vegan Kimchi By Fermenting for Foodies
This recipe comes from fermenting experts and delivers a tasty and fiercely pungent flavor that can dress up any dish. This recipe is fairly traditional and excludes any animal byproduct ingredients but sticks to a simple combination of ingredients any kimchi eater would expect.
As far as easy vegan kimchi recipes go, this one is among the simplest. But the process is a bit more intense than simply combining everything.
6. Our Family’s Vegan Kimchi Recipe By Mrs. Plant in Texas
This is a beloved family recipe and one of the best vegan kimchis in terms of flavor. The addition of apples and Asian pears enhances the salty flavor by balancing it perfectly.
And if you want to keep your hands clean and store the kimchi in the best way possible, Mrs. Plant walks you through the ideal method of storage and fermentation. And you can use your favorite brand or variety of Korean chili flakes!
7. Vegan Kimchi Recipe By Tasty
Tasty offers an interesting vegan kimchi recipe that includes white rice in the sauce. Adding grain to the kimchi alters the texture, so you have smaller and stickier pieces of kimchi to add to other recipes.
If you’ve never had kimchi with fermented rice, it’s ideal for mixing into a soup or adding on top of Bibimbap because you can stir it in thoroughly and get the briny taste of kimchi in every bite!
Once you’ve made your yummy vegan kimchi, you can use it to make one of the fabulous dishes below that highlight how delicious kimchi is!
8. Kimchi Summer Rolls with Almond Dipping Sauce By This Savory Vegan
This recipe is hands down one of the best ways to use your vegan kimchi. It’s vibrant with various intriguing textures and perfectly showcases the kimchi you prepared. The almond dipping sauce is creamy and sweet with a hint of heat, thanks to the jalapenos.
Save this recipe just for the sauce, even if you don’t like summer rolls. But the summer rolls are delightful, filled with mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, spinach, avocados, and your tasty kimchi! Plus, it includes black sesame seeds for a nutty flavor that ties everything together.
9. Vegan Kimchi Dumplings (Mandu) By Full of Plants
Dumplings are so comforting and tasty and also the perfect meal to incorporate your kimchi. These vegan dumplings have tofu, kimchi, bean sprouts, and green onions. But they offer a meaty and umami flavor without animal byproducts.
And to incorporate the kimchi flavor, the dumplings have kimchi inside them and can be served with a dipping sauce made from the kimchi brine. And it takes less than an hour to make this restaurant-quality lunch or dinner.
10. Kimchi Kale Salad By One Green Planet
Some salads can be boring, with bland ingredients. But if you want a bold salad that packs a punch of flavor, try this kimchi kale salad. Kale has a slightly bitter and earthy flavor, the perfect vessel for briny vegan kimchi.
This recipe is a breeze, as you combine the six ingredients plus the kimchi and toss it in a bowl. Make this for a scrumptious lunch or as a side for an Asian meal.
11. Vegan Kimchi Stew By Cilantro and Citronella
Soups and stews are the most popular meals to add kimchi. Cilantro and Citronella offer this mouthwatering kimchi stew. It highlights the intense flavor of the fermented topping in a warm and inviting bowl with beautiful pops of color.
The recipe calls for onion and mushrooms, but you can add other vegetables you have in your kitchen. Carrots and radishes can be a great addition that adds a crunchy texture. But the kimchi flavor comes through in every bite, no matter what.
12. Vegan Kimchi Soup By Champagne Tastes
This vegan kimchi soup is incredibly easy to make. The main ingredients are tofu, potatoes, and your lovely vegan kimchi. It can be made all in one pot and comes together in less than 20 minutes.
It’s an excellent recipe to save for a warm lunch or dinner on a chilly evening. You can also make jasmine rice or sushi rice to make a more substantial soup or have a starchy side to cut through the heat of your kimchi.
13. Vegan Kimchi Jjigae By Gastroplant
Jjigae is a traditional Korean stew packed with kimchi, mushrooms, tofu, and assorted veggies. This recipe by Gastroplant balances sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors for a complex soup.
Even though it doesn’t have any meat or meaty ingredients, it delivers a decadent umami flavor. It’s perfect for those cold-weather days when you need to warm your belly.
14. Korean Tofu Tacos with Kimchi Slaw & Cilantro By Purple Carrot
Tacos are a Mexican dish, but many recipes transform this meal with vibrant Asian flavors. The recipe can be completed in less than 40 minutes but requires many ingredients. Make sure you hit the grocery store before tackling this recipe.
It includes a Gochujang sauce from scratch to coat the crispy tofu for a hint of heat that elevates the plate.
15. Plant-Based Kimchi Burger By Ready Set Eat
Burgers are one of the most satisfying meals you can make when you’re starving. And plant-based burgers allow vegans to enjoy this crave-worthy meal. Adding your yummy kimchi to a plant-based burger makes for a mouthwatering meal that will leave you full and satisfied.
This recipe from Ready Set Eat is a snap to make. It only has four ingredients, plus the plant-based burger and your kimchi. Ready Set Eat uses a Gardein burger, but you can use your favorite brand or make your own.
16. Simple Korean Kimchi BBQ Burgers By Blissful Basil
If BBQ is one of your favorite flavors, you can combine it with salty kimchi for a wallop of taste. Blissful Basils’ recipe uses plant-based burgers and a vegan BBQ sauce made from scratch.
The burger is then topped with your kimchi and slathered in the peppery BBQ sauce for a savory meal. Make a side of French fries for the perfect dinner!
17. Vegan Kimchi Pizza By Nasoya
Even though pizza typically features cheese, there are loads of vegan pizza recipes you can enjoy. And one of them is this unique kimchi pizza! The ingredients are simple, with tomatoes, peppers, basil, and vegan cheese making up the bulk of the pizza.
The kimchi is an essential topping and becomes even more flavorful when baked in the oven. So you can experience your kimchi in a new way with this pizza recipe.
18. Vegan Kimchi Queso Dip By Simply Quinoa
Save this recipe for your next party or picnic because everyone will fall in love with the flavors. Queso is a creamy and indulgent dish but not the healthiest. However, this vegan kimchi queso is a much healthier option, even if you aren’t a vegan.
The dip is spicy and salty. It uses nutritional yeast and almond milk to mimic the cheesy texture of classic queso, so you don’t even need vegan cheese!
19. Vegan Kimchi Pancakes By Okonomi Kitchen
Kimchi pancakes are a popular Korean meal. This recipe by Okonomi Kitchen is super simple, with just a handful of ingredients and straightforward instructions.
You can whip these up in just 15 minutes. They’re perfect for any time of day, whether it’s 8 am or 8 pm. By using the kimchi and the kimchi brine, you get to fully experience the rich flavors you fermented together.
20. Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice By The Korean Vegan
Fried rice is one of the most loved Asian dishes around the world. Fried rice can be tough to make without animal byproducts, but with this recipe, you get all of the flavors without any animal products.
The recipe includes a lot, with more than 15 different ingredients. But you can adjust based on what items are available to you, such as skipping the single kale leaf or nori strips. Just don’t forget your kimchi!
21. Vegan Kimchi Pancakes with Gochujang Dip By Zucker Jagdwurst
For a spicy and bold kimchi pancake recipe, look no further than Zucker Jagdwurst. These zesty and salty pancakes pair beautifully with the hot and spicy Gochujang sauce. And it’s easy to make.
All you need is to mix vegan mayonnaise and your favorite Gochujang sauce. Everything can come together in less than 20 minutes when you’re in a pinch.
22. Kimchi Vegan Deviled “Eggs” By Meatless Makeovers
It’s hard to imagine deviled eggs without the eggs, but this recipe shows it’s possible. It’s an adorable appetizer to make for a party or a decadent treat for yourself. In place of the egg white, the recipe uses small potatoes.
Garbanzo beans and tahini make up the filling along with your scrumptious kimchi. The final results are spicy and creamy “egg” bites that will explode with flavor in your mouth.
23. Vegan Jackfruit Kimchi Melts By Hot For Food
These jackfruit kimchi melts are gooey and full of flavor. They have generously seasoned jackfruit, your rich kimchi, and two different vegan kinds of cheese. This recipe uses parmesan and cheddar, but you can use your favorite vegan cheeses like pepper jack or mozzarella.
The recipe also features an indulgent chili garlic aioli. But one of the most important ingredients is sourdough bread. It’s firm enough to support the filling and has a noticeable flavor that works well with the other ingredients.
If you don’t make super spicy kimchi, this can be an awesome snack for kids.
24. The Best Vegan Kimchi Mac and Cheese By Cultured Guru
Mac and cheese aren’t just for dairy lovers! With this fabulous recipe by Cultured Guru, vegans can enjoy creamy and decadent cheese. Plus, it includes some spicy kimchi to kick the flavors up a notch.
Nothing hits the spot like homemade mac and cheese. And including your homemade kimchi makes it all the more special.
There is chopped kimchi in the mac and cheese, but the recipe also adds some kimchi brine into the vegan cheese sauce. So every bite has that briny and delectable flavor you’re craving.
25. Easy Vegan Kimchi Fries By Christie at Home
Plain french fries are a great snack or side. But why have good when you can have sensational? Use your homemade vegan kimchi to make this easy kimchi fries recipe that will blow your mind.
You only need three ingredients, excluding your kimchi. But you can also add other toppings like vegan sour cream or vegan shredded cheese if you want to load up the fries with lots of flavors. But no matter what you add, the pungent kimchi is sure to be the star of the show.
26. Vegan Kimchi Bibim Guksu (Spicy Cold Kimchi Noodles) By EatWKriss
On summer days, a bowl of piping hot noodles isn’t always desirable. But if you’re still craving noodles, you can try out this cold noodle recipe known as Bibim Guksu. It features mushrooms, cucumbers, and a spicy Asian sauce for a silky texture.
The best part is you can make it in less than 10 minutes. It’s a vibrant and refreshing meal that fills you and excites your tastebuds. If you have other vegetables lying around, you can add carrots, radish, or peppers to enhance the flavor.
27. Vegan Kimchi Grilled Cheese By Okonomi Kitchen
You only need five ingredients to make this indulgent grilled cheese. Bread and cheese are a match made in heaven, and the addition of kimchi elevates this simple meal. This recipe is cheesy, and the result is a beautifully toasted sandwich that is great for kids and adults.
What makes this recipe special is that you caramelize the kimchi in brown sugar, bringing out the flavors and slightly sweetening it. And you can remember this technique to sweeten your kimchi for other dishes, like mac and cheese!
28. Vegan Mushroom Bao Buns with Kimchi By Profusion Organic
Bao buns are light and fluffy, the perfect vessel for salty and bold kimchi. Along with the umami flavor of the mushrooms, there are also pickled cucumbers that bring a sharp bite that complements the buns and kimchi perfectly.
It also includes peanut butter to balance the acid and spicy and offer a sweet and savory snack. They’re colorful and juicy, so make them for your next picnic or dinner party to impress guests with a fancy appetizer.
29. Vegan Korean BBQ Burrito By Grounded Chow
Burritos are not traditionally Asian, but this Korean BBQ burrito will become your new favorite handheld meal. It’s stuffed with lots of ingredients and different flavors.
There are soy curls that act as a meat substitute, a vegan spicy mayo, pears, carrots, avocados, jalapeno, rice, and your yummy kimchi! If you’re super hungry, this burrito will be immensely satisfying and great for kids if you tone down the heat.
Easy Vegan Kimchi Recipes, Final Thoughts
Kimchi is a versatile topping for an array of dishes. Save these kimchi recipes and dishes the next time you’re craving a rich Asian meal!