I’ll never forget the first time I had a ginger shot.

A sore throat started creeping up on me and I don’t do well with a sore throat. The second I feel one coming on I just want to scream “Bye Felicia!” and I desperately hope it’s a fluke and gone by the next day. Since I wanted this thing nipped in the bud I went to a juice bar and asked if they could recommend anything. They led me to a refrigerator with juiced ginger in a tube. A ginger shot? I’d never heard of such a thing. But I took their word for it and down the chute it went. WOAH! What just happened?! My throat was on fire! I did not expect that. I tried playing it cool as I made sure the intense burning was normal. They ensured me it was but they mentioned since I never had a ginger shot before I should have sipped it slowly. Yeah, next time!

Even though it wasn’t the most comfortable thing, I felt instant relief. The burn was well worth it. It was a good burn if that makes sense. And that day was the day my love for all things ginger was born.

I can’t even believe there was a time when ginger wasn’t on my radar. Now I try to add it into as many recipes as I can and it’s by far one of my favorite ingredients. Ginger, a flowering plant whose root is used as a spice, has been used for its healing properties for thousands of years because it’s a powerful antioxidant, that can help fight germs, soothe nausea and reduce inflammation. Really, it’s a wonder-root.

Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as a juice or an oil. Around the holidays, it’s basically synonymous with colorfully decorated gingerbread houses and gingerbread men but it can be found in many modern recipes that are delicious and beneficial all year.

To take full advantage of this flavorful spice, we’ve found food, drink, and dessert recipes that are sure to please the palate.

Add Ginger To Drinks

One of the easiest ways to get your dose of ginger is in a beverage. In addition to a sore-throat-busting shot, there are a number of other drinks that utilize ginger for its flavor and power.

Turmeric Lemon Ginger Tea

During the colder months or when you’re feeling a cold coming on, a beverage with ginger in it feels like it’s been heaven-sent. This Turmeric Ginger Tea recipe from Emilie Eats is made with just 5 ingredients and is an impressively healthy pick me up. Full of antioxidants and vitamin C, this nourishing gut-friendly drink has just the right amount of zing.

Immune Boosting Orange Smoothie

A smoothie without ginger is no smoothie at all. Focused on building immunity? Start making this Immune Boosting Orange Smoothie recipe from Mindful Avocado! This easy to make and dairy-free smoothie is packed with immune-boosting ingredients. Oranges, ginger, carrots, and turmeric make this smoothie a tasty cold and flu-fighting beverage. Cheers to good health!

Ginger Hot Chocolate

If only there was a machine that could make this Ginger Hot Chocolate by Minimalist Baker on demand. Instead of adding whipped cream to enhance your hot chocolate, add ginger! Sweet and not-too-spicy, this hot chocolate with a hint of ginger is dairy-free and packed with antioxidants.

Homemade Ginger Beer

I’ll admit that when I came across ginger beer for the first time I had to read the label to see if it was alcoholic or not. I can’t be the only one, right?! And if you’re wondering the same thing, no it’s not exactly alcoholic. A bit of fermentation is involved, which produces a very slight alcohol content (not noticeable, but important to point out for those sensitive to alcohol). Ginger beer is pretty much ginger ale so if you enjoy ginger ale, you’ll love ginger beer. Most ginger ale brands don't contain the healthiest ingredients (or even much ginger!) so you’ll be in for a serious treat once you try the real deal. And this Homemade Ginger Beer recipe by Tori Avey made with freshly grated ginger and active yeast is the real deal!

Make it Part of Your Main Meal

The flavor of fresh ginger is sweet and slightly peppery with a strong and distinct smell. Even though we often associate ginger with sugary confections it’s extremely popular in a wide variety of Indian and Asian dishes as a complement to savory ingredients.

Sweet Potato Soup With Ginger & Vanilla

Soup can be a little boring. But this Sweet Potato Soup with Ginger & Vanilla recipe from Post Punk Kitchen is anything but boring. Perfectly put, the vision for the recipe is described as vanilla bean and ginger holding hands in a field of sweet potato, with pretty bursts of lime lighting their way, and just a touch of heat. The best part of this comforting bowl of deliciousness is that it’s made with all vegan whole food ingredients.

Peanut-Ginger Curry Chickpeas Over Fluffy Brown Rice

Get in my belly! This Peanut-Ginger Curry Chickpeas Over Fluffy Brown Rice from Healthy Happy Life is vegan, gluten-free, and quite possibly dinner perfection. You know those pictures that sell the recipe in one glance? This is one of them. Peanut buttery, spicy curried ginger, chickpea bliss, fluffy rice make this one a healthy masterpiece.

Sesame-Ginger and Cucumber Soba Noodles

Do you love pasta but wish it were healthier? Try soba noodles! Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and wheat flour and have a slightly nutty, earthy taste. This Sesame-Ginger and Cucumber Soba Noodles recipe by Cookies and Kate is a combination of soba noodles tossed with cucumber, scallions, and a light yet creamy sesame-ginger-tahini sauce.

Enjoy It in Desserts and Treats

There’s always room for ginger. Ginger can help aid in digestion so it’s the perfect ingredient for desserts that follow a big meal. But these are so yummy, you’ll want to grab them between meals too.

Vegan Gingersnap Cookies

Due to their versatility and the fact that they’re super easy to bake, this Vegan Gingersnap Cookies from Loving It Vegan recipe could become your go-to cookie recipe. Whether it’s for dessert, a snack, or breakfast- these cookies are the ideal mix of soft, chewy, and crunchy. Packed with ginger and cinnamon, these brown sugar-sweetened vegan cookies are perfectly balanced between sweetness and spice and take only 12 minutes to bake.

Spiced Ginger Pear Energy Bites

Skip packaged snacks and make your own at home! Doing this can be less expensive and you’ll be surprised at how good healthy can taste. Specifically in this recipe. These Spiced Ginger Pear Energy Bites from Nutrition In The Kitch are loaded with nutrients and the epitome of a delicious healthy on-the go snack.

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

Sometimes an occasion demands a classic. For the holidays or for a little holiday spirit any time of year, try this Old-Fashioned Gingerbread recipe from Southern Living. This richly spiced bread is part of an age-old European tradition, and if Christmas had a flavor, this might be it.

If you’ve ever used fresh ginger in a recipe before, you know it’s infamously difficult to prep at first. So if you’re relatively new to it, here’s a great guide on how to peel and cut ginger. With so many ways to use ginger from your morning tea to a midnight snack, there’s bound to be a recipe that helps you incorporate this super-spice into your regular routine.

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