Comforting Fermented Veggie Winter Stir-Fry (Printable)

Hearty winter vegetables quickly sautéed and finished with kimchi for a probiotic-rich, warming dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
02 - 2 medium carrots, sliced on the bias
03 - 1 small parsnip, peeled and sliced
04 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
05 - 1 cup shredded green cabbage
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced

→ Aromatics

07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauces & Oils

09 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
10 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey

→ Fermented Vegetables

13 - 1 cup kimchi, chopped

→ Garnish

14 - 2 green onions, sliced
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

# How to Make It:

01 - Prepare all vegetables and aromatics before starting to cook.
02 - In a large wok or skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat.
03 - Add ginger and garlic; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add carrots, parsnip, sweet potato, and broccoli. Stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until they start to soften.
05 - Add cabbage and bell pepper. Continue stir-frying for another 3–4 minutes until all vegetables are crisp-tender.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Pour over the vegetables and toss to combine.
07 - Remove the pan from heat. Add chopped kimchi and gently toss to combine, preserving the beneficial probiotics.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the stress.
  • The probiotics in kimchi stay alive because you add it after cooking, so you're getting actual gut-friendly benefits.
  • Winter vegetables become something you actually crave instead of tolerate through the cold months.
02 -
  • Never add the kimchi while the pan is still hot—you'll kill the live cultures that actually make it worth eating for your gut health.
  • Slice everything roughly the same thickness so nothing sits around waiting to be done while something else is already falling apart.
03 -
  • If your pan isn't large enough, work in batches so you actually sear the vegetables instead of steaming them—this is where the flavor happens.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes if you have them whole; the flavor upgrade is almost embarrassing.
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