Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Ramen recipe offers a comforting and flavorful meal that combines tender ground beef, fresh vegetables, and savory broth slow-cooked to perfection. The addition of ramen noodles cooked right in the slow cooker makes for a hearty, one-pot dinner that’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably sirloin, 93/7)
Vegetables
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 2-3 large scallions, roughly chopped
- Additional scallions for topping (optional)
Broth and Seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 14.25 ounces chicken stock or beef stock
Pasta
- 2 packs ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
Garnish
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat and ensure a clean base for the soup.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Pour the cooked beef into the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the matchstick carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and roughly chopped scallions on top of the beef.
- Prepare the broth: In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and chicken or beef stock until well combined to create a flavorful broth.
- Start slow cooking: Pour the broth mixture into the slow cooker over the beef and vegetables. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
- Add noodles: About 30 minutes before serving, add the dry ramen noodles directly into the slow cooker. Stir frequently to ensure noodles are fully submerged and absorb the broth evenly. Cook until noodles are tender but not mushy.
- Serve and garnish: Once noodles are cooked, ladle the ramen into bowls. Garnish with additional chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired for a fresh and nutty finish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the brown sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet broth.
- To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the broth.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish, especially if using chicken stock that is salted.
- Do not add ramen noodles until the last 30 minutes to prevent them from becoming overly soft and mushy.
