Homemade Stem Ginger is so easy to make and so much better than shop bought. Chop finely and add to ginger cakes, puddings or biscuits for a real ginger hit. The syrup makes a delicious ginger cordial.

We really love ginger here at the Kitchen Shed and often use our Homemade Stem Ginger in savoury recipes too. It adds warmth to a sticky glaze for roast pork and takes our sticky ribs marinade to the next level of tastiness.

Homemade Stem ginger is the perfect recipe to try if you’re new to preserving or jam making. Having said that, it’s even easier to make than jam since there’s no thermometer required. You simply cook peeled ginger in water until tender and make a syrup with sugar.

A jar of homemade stem ginger with a parcel tag label on a table. Christmas tape, string and a pen on the table.

There’s a slight sense of sadness here at the Kitchen Shed as we pack things away for the winter and wind down the freezer contents.

I thought I’d pretty much worked out how to use up all our frozen food until I discovered a bag of ginger which was way too much for a stir fry or curry for two.

Seemed to me there was only one thing to do, make some stem ginger and take a jar or two with us to Guernsey to enjoy over the winter.

An opened jar with a spoon of preserved ginger.

What Is Stem Ginger ?

Stem Ginger is the preserved fresh young roots of the ginger plant. The roots are are peeled, sliced and cooked in sugar syrup.

How To Buy Fresh Ginger Root

You can buy fresh ginger roots from supermarkets as well specialist stores in the UK.

Choose pieces of fresh ginger root with firm, unwrinkled skin that is thin enough to scrape away with your fingernail.

Tough, thick skin is a sign the ginger is old and dried out.

Any root that feels light in weight or has a wrinkled skin should be avoided as no amount of simmering will soften it.

Potato peeler on a chopping board with peelings and chunks of ginger.

How To Make Stem Ginger

Stem ginger is much easier to make than you might think – it’s a case of peeling and slicing the ginger into chunks, covering with water and cooking until tender.

Although some recipes use an “all in one” approach, I prefer to drain the cooking water from the ginger and use it to make a syrup – this way you have greater control over the quality of your syrup because of the more accurate water to sugar ratio.

The ginger is added back to the pan with your syrup and simmered for twenty minutes before transferring ginger and syrup into a sterilised jar.

Raw pieces of root ginger in water ready to be simmered.

How To Sterilise Jars

I like to sterilise jam jars in the microwave.

Simply clean them as normal and rinse but whilst they are wet, pop them in the microwave for two minutes on full power.

Remember the jars will be very hot, so remove with care.

Alternatively, wash jars in the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

Always sterilise more jars than you think you will need.

An enamelled pan with ginger being cooked in syrup.

Top Tips For The Best Stem Ginger

Buy fresh young ginger roots.

Freeze overnight before cooking.

A note on Sugar Syrup:

Stirring sugar into a syrup to dissolve with a spatula.

Make sure the sugar is dissolved before bringing to the boil.

To test if the sugar is completely dissolved scoop out a small amount of the syrup with a spoon.

You should not be able to see any sugars crystals in the liquid.

Do not stir the sugar syrup once the sugar has dissolved or the sugar will crystallise.

Testing ginger syrup for sugar crystals with a spoon.

How Long Does Homemade Stem Ginger Last ?

Stem Ginger will last up to 12 months stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, store in the fridge and use within 2 months.

Ways To Use Stem Ginger

Stem Ginger adds a fiery ginger hit to all manner of desserts, tarts, puddings, cakes and biscuits.

The syrup can be used in cocktails, drinks, or added to ice cream and salads.

You’ll find Stem Ginger in savoury dishes too. From sticky ribs, roast pork and chicken to steamed fish. In fact, the list is endless.

Homemade Gift Ideas

I love making gifts for friends and family and Homemade Stem Ginger regularly finds its way into our Christmas hampers. Here’s some of my reader’s favourite homemade gift recipes.

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