Kimchi Fried Rice

LOW-CARB KIMCHI FRIED RICE

If you've tried kimchi before, you've likely fallen in love with the salty, savory, sour, and spicy flavors packed into the South Korean specialty. South Koreans enjoy kimchi with almost every meal, not just as a side dish! If you love spicy food, kimchi hits all the right notes.

Here, we incorporate this flavorful ingredient into our version of low-carb kimchi fried rice. If you’re looking for a unique, crave-worthy dinner, this is the one! Try it once, and you’ll become a huge fan!

THE HISTORY OF KIMCHI

Kimchi has become a little trendy here in the United States because diners have discovered the numerous health benefits of this fermented dish. Like kombucha and other pickled dishes, kimchi contains many healthy bacteria known as probiotics, making it great for digestion and maintaining a healthy gut.

But beyond the health benefits of kimchi is the tastiness. Kimchi is one of those unique foods that people instantly love (or, in the case of some, can't stand). The flavors are strong. There's a saltiness, a savory umami flavor, and a sourness like nothing else. Plus, kimchi has a great kick, making it beloved by those who crave spicy food.

As Korean cuisine becomes increasingly popular in the States, kimchi has become easy to find. You can often pick up a jar of kimchi at the grocery store or health food market.

But what is kimchi, and where did it come from? Kimchi actually refers to many different types of vegetables. The most popular type of kimchi is made with cabbage, specifically napa cabbage, but there are many other varieties of kimchi as well.

Korea has four seasons but gets very cold during the winter. Food preservation was critical for people during the chilly months when nothing grew. So the Koreans became very good at food preservation, and one of the best ways to preserve food is with salt. Once chopped, kimchi ferments for a few months, it becomes sour, tangy, and savory all at the same time.

Originally kimchi was made with radishes, but over several hundred years of food preservation, people tried different vegetables, added spices and other flavorings to kimchi. These days, hundreds of types of kimchi are available, and many families have unique variations and recipes for the popular dish. You'll find chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and jars of kimchi at every Asian market—each with its own unique properties.

Kimchi is incorporated into many different Korean dishes, from pancakes to stir fry to dumplings and, of course, fried rice. If you love other types of fried rice, wait until you try it with kimchi!

THE SECRET TO LOW-CARB FRIED RICE

Now, whether you're following a keto diet or another low-carb meal plan, you might assume that rice is off the menu for a while. A cup of traditional white rice has about 45 grams of carbohydrates (which is a lot of carbs for a limited carb budget). Or you might assume that any low carb recipe will include riced cauliflower or a similar swap (no offense to riced cauliflower, but you aren't fooling anyone).

But guess what! You can still have delicious rice! You just need a better rice option, which is where It’s Skinny comes in. It's Skinny Rice (and It's Skinny Pasta) has the texture of traditional white rice with none of the carbs. Literally! There are ZERO net carbs in an entire pack of It’s Skinny Rice (and only 9 measly calories)!

How did It’s Skinny get so skinny? Well, we use a special root vegetable called konjac. Konjac actually hails from Asia as well, where it’s quite popular in many dishes. This fibrous vegetable contains a special, filling type of fiber called glucomannan, which keeps you full and satisfied without adding extra calories to your meal.

It’s Skinny is a great way to replace the carb-loaded pasta and rice in your favorite recipes with a keto-friendly alternative. Use It’s Skinny Rice, Spaghetti, Angel Hair, or Fettuccine to remake any recipe. Need ideas? Explore our recipe section for all kinds of delicious ways to get your pasta (and rice) fix! It's Skinny works in all your favorite white or brown rice recipes, but it's ready in 3-4 minutes with no fuss!

You can order It’s Skinny on our website. Choose from Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Fettuccine, and Rice. Can’t decide? Try a variety pack and try them all! With only 9 calories and zero net carbs, you can have your rice and eat it, too (guilt-free)!

MAKING LOW-CARB KIMCHI FRIED RICE

If you've never used It's Skinny (or if you've never used kimchi) in a recipe before, you might have some questions…well, no worries because we have answers! Here are some common queries about making low-carb kimchi fried rice.

CAN I ADD EXTRA PROTEIN TO THIS DISH?

Kimchi fried rice is vegetarian. Mushrooms give it a great meaty texture. The inclusion of butter and fried egg also adds some protein without meat. But if you’d like to add your favorite protein, you certainly can. This kimchi recipe is hearty enough to enjoy as a main dish, but sometimes we all like to amp up the protein.

What meats work best in kimchi fried rice? Pork is a good choice and complements many of the flavors in this dish. Shrimp is also a nice choice here and goes well with this Korean-style dish. A little juicy chicken could also pair well with the spicy kimchi. Want protein without meat? Keep the dish vegetarian by adding cubed, marinated tofu.

ARE THERE OTHER VEGETABLES I CAN INCLUDE?

Fried rice is an easy recipe and a great way to use up leftover vegetables that might be languishing in your fridge. Kimchi fried rice is extremely versatile, so feel free to add any vegetable to the stir fry that you have on hand. A few great choices include bok choy, broccoli, spinach, or zucchini. You can swap the green onion for another variety of onions if you like too.

Regular fried rice often includes peas and carrots, and both go well with kimchi fried rice too. Keep in mind that carrots and peas, especially sugar snap, have some slightly higher carbohydrate levels, so be sure to check the stats anytime you add new ingredients.

DO I NEED TO PRECOOK IT’S SKINNY RICE?

It’s Skinny Rice is so much easier to cook than traditional rice. There’s no stress about getting out the rice cooker, measuring water, or waiting to get it “perfect.” With traditional rice, it’s rarely possible to get it to come out as expected.

It’s Skinny takes all the complications out of cooking rice. All you need to do is open the package, drain, rinse, and add your It’s Skinny Rice at the end of cooking time. It’s Skinny takes on the flavor of the surrounding ingredients, making it ideal for many different recipes.

LOW-CARB KIMCHI FRIED RICE WITH IT’S SKINNY

If you're looking for a fast and flavorful recipe, this one is it! You'll get all the probiotic benefits of fermented food, and the best part is that it's low-carb and guilt-free! You can enjoy kimchi fried rice for any meal—breakfast, lunch, or dinner! It's filling and delicious; it comes together in just a few minutes. Kimchi fried rice is a great recipe for a busy weeknight.

WATCH CHEF MICHELE MAKE THIS QUICK AND EASY LOW-CARB KIMCHI FRIED RICE RECIPE ON YOUTUBE!