Looking for an easy homemade fire cider recipe? Look no further! Our guide will show you how to make this spicy concoction in no time.
As wellness trends continue to evolve, one traditional remedy that’s gained significant attention is fire cider. This potent, tangy, and spicy concoction is packed with immune-boosting ingredients, making it a popular choice for those looking to bolster their health naturally. In this blog post, we’ll explore what fire cider is and its health benefits. Additionally, I’ll share a simple recipe so you can make your batch at home in no time.
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What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is a herbal tonic used in folk medicine for centuries. It infuses vinegar with powerful ingredients like garlic, ginger, onions, horseradish, and hot peppers. The result is a fiery, flavorful elixir often used to help ward off colds and flu, improve digestion, and boost overall health.
Related Read: Check it out! My Top 10 Easy Sourdough Recipes For Beginners
Health Benefits of Fire Cider
Fire cider is revered for its many health benefits, which stem from its robust ingredients. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Immune System Support: The combination of garlic, ginger, and hot peppers is known for its immune-boosting properties. These ingredients can help the body fight off infections and reduce the duration of colds and flu.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Ingredients like turmeric and ginger are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Digestive Health: Apple cider vinegar, a primary component of fire cider, promotes healthy digestion and can help balance stomach acidity.
- Antioxidant-Rich: Many of the ingredients used in fire cider, such as lemons and turmeric, are high in antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and free radicals.
Easy Homemade Fire Cider Recipe
Let’s explore how you can make this powerful tonic at home quickly and with minimal effort. But first, you may wonder why I’m discussing a cold and flu remedy in the summer. The reason is that fire cider takes 4 to 6 weeks to steep. Therefore, I always prepare a batch in the summer to get ready for fall and back to school. The recipe is straightforward and can be customized based on your taste preferences and ingredient availability.
Easy Homemade Fire Cider Recipe Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root- chopped into 1 inch chunks
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped garlic
- 1/4 cup ginger root, chopped or grated
- 1/4 cup turmeric root, chopped or grated (or 2 Tbs of turmeric powder)
- 2 fresh hot peppers, chopped (jalapeño, habanero, or cayenne)
- 1 whole lemon, sliced
- 1 whole lime, sliced
- 1 whole orange, sliced
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1 quart (32oz) raw organic apple cider vinegar with the mother
- Optional: Fresh or dried Rosemary or other herbs, cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, and cayenne pepper.
Equipment:
- Two quart-sized glass jars with a lids (32oz)
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Grater (optional)
- Knife and cutting board
Instructions:
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by washing and chopping all your ingredients. Chop the horseradish, ginger, and turmeric if using fresh roots. Chop the onions, garlic, and hot peppers. Slice the lemon, lime and orange.
- Combine Ingredients: Place all the prepared ingredients except honey and apple cider vinegar into clean quart-sized glass jars.
- Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Pour the apple cider vinegar over the ingredients in the jar until they are fully submerged. It’s important to use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar as it contains the “mother,” which has beneficial enzymes and probiotics.
- Seal the Jar: Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper over the jar before screwing on the lid. This prevents the vinegar from corroding the metal lid. Alternatively, use a plastic lid if available.
- Shake and Store: Give the jar a good shake to mix everything well. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar daily to help the infusion process.
- Strain the Mixture: After 4-6 weeks, strain the mixture using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle. Press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Add Honey: Stir in the raw honey to taste. The honey not only adds sweetness but also has its own health benefits. Start with 1/4 cup and add more if desired.
- Store and Enjoy: Your homemade fire cider is now ready to use! Store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place. It can last for several months.
How to Use Fire Cider
Surprisingly, fire cider can be enjoyed in various ways depending on your preference and tolerance for its potent flavor. Here are some suggestions:
- Straight Shot: Take a tablespoon of fire cider straight from the bottle. This is a quick and effective way to get a concentrated dose.
- Diluted: Mix a tablespoon of fire cider in a glass of water or juice if the straight shot is too strong for you.
- Salad Dressing: Use fire cider as a tangy salad dressing by mixing it with olive oil.
- Cooking: Add fire cider to soups, stews, or marinades for an extra kick of flavor.
Customizing Your Fire Cider
One of the great things about making fire cider at home is the ability to customize it. With this in mind, experiment with different ingredients to suit your taste and health needs. Here are some ideas:
- Herbs: Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano for additional flavors and health benefits.
- Fruits: Add whole fresh cranberries or slices of grapefruit or pineapple for a different flavor profile.
- Spices: Play around with different spices such as cinnamon, cloves, or black pepper.
Related Reads: Other Fire Cider Recipes
On page 74 of her book Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, Rosemary Gladstar shares her delicious Fire Cider recipe. If you’re interested in herbalism, this is a great reference guide to growing and using herbs to fortify your body against common ailments naturally.
Additionally, Rosemary Gladstar has a book called Fire Cider: 101 Zesty Recipes For Health-Boosting Remedies Made With Apple Cider Vinegar. I’m so curious to learn how she uses Fire Cider. I’m definitely putting this on my Christmas wish list.
I love Deanna Cat’s blog, Homestead and Chill. She has a ton of great posts about gardening, plus lots of healthy recipes. Here’s her recipe for Fire Cider.
Conclusion
In summary, making your fire cider is a rewarding and straightforward process that can significantly benefit your health. Following this easy recipe, you can create a potent, homemade remedy that supports your immune system, aids digestion, and provides anti-inflammatory benefits. Whether you take it as a daily tonic or use it in cooking to enjoy its fiery kick, fire cider is a versatile and valuable addition to your wellness routine. Give it a try and experience the invigorating effects of this traditional herbal tonic!
Printable Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Fire Cider Recipe
Equipment
- 2 Quart-Sized Mason Jars
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Sharp Knife
- 1 Grater optional
- 1 Parchment Paper optional
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root, chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup ginger root, chopped or grated
- 1/4 cup turmeric root, chopped or grated Or 2 Tbsp turmeric powder
- 2 whole fresh hot peppers, chopped jalapeño, habanero, or cayenne)
- 1 whole lemon, sliced
- 1 whole lime, sliced
- 1 whole orange, sliced
- 1/4-1/2 cup raw honey
- 1 quart raw organic apple cider vinegar with the mother
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by washing and chopping all your ingredients. Chop the horseradish, ginger, and turmeric if using fresh roots. Chop the onions, garlic, and hot peppers. Slice the lemon, lime and orange.
- Combine Ingredients: Place all the prepared ingredients except honey and apple cider vinegar into clean quart-sized glass jars.
- Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Pour the apple cider vinegar over the ingredients in the jar until they are fully submerged. It’s important to use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar as it contains the “mother,” which has beneficial enzymes and probiotics.
- Seal the Jar: Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper over the jar before screwing on the lid. This prevents the vinegar from corroding the metal lid. Alternatively, use a plastic lid if available.
- Shake and Store: Give the jar a good shake to mix everything well. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar daily to help the infusion process.
- Strain the Mixture: After 4-6 weeks, strain the mixture using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle. Press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Add Honey: Stir in the raw honey to taste. The honey not only adds sweetness but also has its own health benefits. Start with 1/4 cup and add more if desired.
- Store and Enjoy: Your homemade fire cider is now ready to use! Store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place. It can last for several months.
- Optional: Fresh or dried Rosemary or other herbs, cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, and cayenne pepper.
Sarah
I’ve been hearing a lot about fire cider recently and have been looking for a recipe. Thank you for sharing yours.
diaryofaselfhelpaddict
Thank you for your comment, Sarah! I love sharing ways to stay healthy, and this is a good one. Enjoy! : )
Nikki
Gut health is so important to me these days, this is very helpful and I’m going to try this. Thanks!
diaryofaselfhelpaddict
Thank you for commenting! Can’t wait for you to try it!
Halli
I’m saving this for this fall when all my kids go back to school!! Thanks!
diaryofaselfhelpaddict
Excellent! Thank you! I know it will help keep the germs at bay!
Lindsay
Looks amazing I’ve heard how good these are for you been wanting to make this for a while. Will have to try your recipe!
diaryofaselfhelpaddict
Thank you, Lindsay! It’s so easy to make! Enjoy!