At its core, kefir is a fermented drinkable yogurt-type beverage made from starter “grains,” in a way similar to kombucha. However, it is not just a delicious drink with many probiotic benefits.
Here are some unusual ways to use kefir that you probably never thought of trying! Kefir is easy to make, and highly versatile.
5 Ways to Use Kefir That You’ve Never Heard Of
1. Use kefir to soak grains
Kefir is a great medium for soaking grains. It helps bring out the best qualities of the grains, and adds in a fresh flavor that you would definitely want in dishes like these beautiful soaked muffins.
My friend Ashley from Whistle Pig Hollow took it all a step further‚ by including kefir in her soaked kefir pancakes. She describes the process of using kefir as a grain soaking aid like this:
Soured/fermented milk products provide lactic acid and lactobacilli that break down complex starches, tannins that can be irritating to the digestive system, and proteins that can be difficult to digest.
How great is that? The flavor is out of this world too!
2. Use kefir to make probiotic ice cream
A great way to consume kefir is of course in ice cream! Kefir is what gives my Chocolate Probiotic Ice Cream such an interesting flavor kick. It can also be used in fruity flavors of ice cream, such as this Persimmon Ice Cream.
3. Use kefir to make tangy probiotic sauces
Need to add a bit of tang to a sauce recipe? Try adding kefir! Kefir is also the star of this garlicky fish taco sauce.
4. Use kefir to heal your skin
It sounds a little silly, but kefir’s natural probiotics are extremely beneficial to the healing of skin. This face mask recipe (starring kefir!) helps balance the skin’s acid/alkaline balance, facilitating healing.
5. Use kefir to make yummy dips
Why not add kefir to the condiments and dips everyone loves? Ranch dressing really benefits from the addition of kefir – it gives the dressing that nice buttermilk tang along with healthy probiotics! Here is a creamy garlic dip, or even one studded with bacon and herbs!
I hope you’ve all gotten some ideas on what to do with your kefir. It’s not just for drinking or adding to smoothies!
What’s one recipe you’d like to see made with kefir?
Pin it here!
I get so much air in the stomach of kefir, I do not know why. I started very slowly, with only a spoon I also increased gradually, but suddenly I got so much air in the stomach after dinner time. I have tried different things. But now I have completely stopped with kefir, I do not know why my body reacts like that and how to avoid it. Do you have any suggestions?
I really want to drink kefir, but I can’t stand the air in the stomach every day. I still have kefir grains and kefir. It goes just fine when I bake with kefir and I use kefir to soak grain with, but I have to heat it.
Sorry for my bad english, hope you understand it, and that you can help, or know how I can prevent bloating.
Because kefir is filled with bacteria and yeasts it can cause a die off reaction when you first begin taking it. What is happening is the good bacteria in the kefir is going in and killing the bad bacteria currently residing in your body.
It can cause all sorts of ailments from flu like symptoms to diarrhea. (Do a search for Hexheimer reaction to see what I am talking about.)
Which is probably why when you cook with kefir it does not cause any issues. Cooking actually kills the yeast and bacteria in the kefir so when you ingest it, it does not go in and kill off the other bacteria.
I have tried to find a local source for live kefir grains, but not had any luck. I remember in a previous article you mentioned that they can be ordered online. What is a good site to order them from? Thanks. Enjoy your articles and all the good information you share.
Check this out: http://www.homemademommy.net/fermented-food-starters
I wish you answered me. It is sad to see that you answer almost any other comments on your blog.