Fire cider is a natural, immune-boosting tonic that packs a spicy punch and you can make it in less than 10 minutes (well....10 minutes of prepping and a month of patiently waiting!). This traditional home remedy is loaded with herbs, spices, roots, vegetables, and citrus -- all with immune boosting, deep breathing, and tummy soothing benefits. It's a go-to for my family for just about anything that comes our way.
What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider has been used for centuries. It’s a spicy herbal vinegar infusion that combines ingredients like garlic, ginger, horseradish, jalapeno peppers, onions, turmeric, and raw apple cider vinegar. You can tweak the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have in your pantry and takes minutes to prep.
Health Benefits of Fire Cider
Boosts Immunity:
- The combination of garlic, ginger, and turmeric has been shown to support the immune system.
- Garlic is known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, while ginger and turmeric both have anti-inflammatory effects.
Digestive Aid:
- Apple cider vinegar in fire cider is great for digestion and has been linked to support gut health, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and helping with everything from bloating to better nutrient absorption.
Circulation Booster:
- Horseradish and jalapeno pepper are both natural vasodilators, meaning they help expand your blood vessels, improving circulation and helping your body fight off infections.
Respiratory Support:
- The heat from the jalapenos and horseradish helps clear nasal congestion..
Balances Blood Sugar:
- Some research suggests that apple cider vinegar may help regulate blood sugar levels.
Learn More About Apple Cider Vinegar:
How to Make Fire Cider at Home
Making fire cider is super simple, and you can customize it with your favorite ingredients or what you are able to find fresh at your grocery store.
Ingredients:
The quantities of each ingredient is a rough guide. This recipe is very forgiving. You can adjust the amounts as needed for taste, preference, and quantity on hand. It's ok if you don't use everything in this list.
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup fresh horseradish root
- 1/4 cup garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh turmeric
- 1 small onion
- 1-2 jalapeno peppers
- 1 lemon or orange
- 1-2 tablespoons peppercorns
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano
- 1-2 cups apple cider vinegar (raw with the “mother”)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup honey to taste, optional
- A large glass jar or any airtight container with a nonmetal lid
- I like these tall 20 oz jars
Instructions:
- Prepare the ingredients:
- Peel and roughly chop the ginger, garlic, turmeric, horseradish, and onion into 1/2" chunks
- Slice the lemon / orange and jalapenos in chunks
- The herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme) can go in the jar unchopped
- Layer in the jar:
- Add the cinnamon sticks to the jar
- Layer in the other ingredients. The order doesn't matter
- Add apple cider vinegar:
- Pour the apple cider vinegar over the ingredients, making sure everything is submerged. You may need to press the ingredients down with a spoon to ensure they stay beneath the vinegar.
- Leave a little room at the top of the jar, just an inch or two.
- Seal and Shake:
- Strain and Sweeten:
- After 4 weeks, strain the fire cider into a clean bottle.
- You can add honey to sweeten it if desired, but this step is optional.
- Store and Use:
- Store your fire cider in the refrigerator or a cool, dark spot.
- Take 1-2 tablespoons daily for general health or up to 3 times a day for an immunity boost.
- Your fire cider will keep for up to a year if refrigerated and up to 6 months if kept at room temperature.
How to Use Fire Cider
As a daily tonic shot:
- Take a tablespoon of fire cider in the morning for a burst of energy and immune support.
As a tea:
- Add a couple tablespoons to a cup of hot water and sweeten with honey.
As an immune boost or home remedy:
- Take it more frequently (1-2 tablespoons, 2-3 times a day) to help alleviate symptoms.
As a Salad Dressing:
- Mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a spicy salad dressing.
- Optional: add the juice from 1 lemon.
In Cooking:
- Add a splash to soups, stews, or marinades for an extra kick.
Fire Cider FAQ
What is the shelf life of fire cider?
- Your fire cider will keep for up to a year if refrigerated and up to 6 months if kept at room temperature.
Can you freeze fire cider?
- Yep! If frozen, fire cider will keep for up to 6 months or longer.
- Freezing doesn’t compromise its potency significantly, though thawing might alter the texture slightly.
- If you freeze it, be sure to let it ferment at room temperature for a month, strain, then freeze.
- I recommend freezing in ice cube trays so you have pre-portioned cubes you can easily add to soups, teas, etc.
Do I need to use all the ingredients listed? What if I can't find something or it's out of season?
- The recipe is very forgiving and you can adjust the quantities and ingredients used as needed for preference, availability, and the size of your jar.
- For example, when I made this batch in the video for this post, I couldn't find fresh horseradish at my local stores. While I love the extra kick from the horseradish, I omitted it for this batch.
What kind of jars are best for fire cider?
- Glass jars with an airtight, nonmetal lid. I use these jars. The vinegar will cause corrosion on metal lids.
How do I know if my fire cider has gone bad?
- While fire cider is quite resilient, here are some signs that it may have spoiled:
- Smell: A foul or unpleasant odor (beyond the typical vinegar tang) indicates spoilage.
- Appearance: Mold, sliminess, or discoloration suggests it’s time to toss it.
- Taste: If the flavor is off or less vibrant than usual, it may be losing its potency.
Can children drink fire cider?
- Yes. It's best to give smaller doses (about 1 teaspoon per day) and dilute in water or juice. Always consult your healthcare provider.
- You can also make a milder fire cider and omit the stronger ingredients like horseradish, jalapenos, and onion.
Can pregnant and nursing women drink fire cider?
- Yes, with considerations and precautions. Always consult your healthcare provider.
- It's best to drink smaller doses and dilute.
- The spicier ingredients may cause heartburn while pregnant and can be omitted.
- Fire cider may alter the taste of breast milk and you baby might not like it.
- While generally safe during pregnancy, turmeric in large amounts may cause uterine contractions and can be omitted from your batch of fire cider.
Does fire cider lose potency when heated or cooked?
- Yes. Heat can degrade certain heat-sensitive nutrients, enzymes, and natural oils in your fire cider.
- For best results, drizzle as a finishing sauce after cooking or use gentle / low warming methods.
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