Beef ramen is a pantry staple enjoyed by college students and noodle lovers alike. While the packaged seasoning gives basic beef ramen some flavor, there are endless possibilities when it comes to remixing instant ramen and turning it into a heartier, more nutritious meal.
Beef ramen provides a savory base that pairs well with many mix-in ingredients In this article, we will explore 15 delicious ideas for ingredients to add to beef ramen that will take your noodles from boring to gourmet in minutes.
Vegetables
Chopped or shredded vegetables are an easy way to bulk up instant ramen and add nutrition. Popular vegetable add-ins include:
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Bean sprouts – Add crunch and volume. Use 1-2 cups per package of ramen.
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Carrots – Shredded or julienned carrots add color, sweetness, and vitamin A.
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Onions – Diced white, yellow, or green onions pack a punch of flavor
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Spinach – Handfuls of fresh baby spinach wilt down and turn noodles green.
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Mushrooms – Sliced mushrooms add hearty texture and earthiness.
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Bok choy – Chop baby bok choy leaves and stems for a boost of vitamins.
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Zucchini – Julienned or spiralized raw zucchini noodles provide extra body.
Proteins
While instant ramen contains some protein from the dried noodles, adding extra protein makes it much more satisfying. Good protein add-ins include:
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Eggs – A soft boiled egg or stirred egg breaks up nicely into the broth.
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Tofu – Cubed silken or firm tofu provides plant-based protein.
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Beef – Thinly sliced steak, ground beef, or meatballs make it heartier.
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Chicken – Shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breast works great.
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Shrimp – Defrosted cooked shrimp or imitation crab meat.
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Pork – Slices of roasted pork loin, pork belly, or bacon crumbles.
Sauces and Seasonings
Use sauces and spices to put an flavorful spin on basic beef noodles. Flavor booster ideas include:
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Soy Sauce – A dash of soy sauce adds salty umami flavor.
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Chili Oil – A drizzle of chili oil brings on spicy heat.
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Sesame Oil – A teaspoon of sesame oil lends nuttiness.
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Sriracha – Squirts of rooster sauce provide a kick.
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Gochujang – For a Korean vibe, stir in some spicy gochujang paste.
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Curry Paste – Try red or green Thai curry paste for creaminess.
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5-Spice Powder – A pinch of Chinese 5-spice powder adds intrigue.
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Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice brightens up the broth.
Creative Toppings
No need to stop the additions once the ramen is in the bowl. Garnish with any of these fun toppings:
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Pepper – Fresh cracked black pepper
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Scallions – Chopped green onions
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Sesame Seeds – Toasted white or black sesame seeds
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Nori – Snipped sheets of roasted seaweed
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Bean Sprouts – More crispy sprouts for crunch
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Lime Wedges – Squeezed fresh lime juice
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Fresh Herbs – Cilantro, basil, mint
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Chili Flakes – Crushed red pepper for heat
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Fried Shallots – Store-bought crispy fried shallots
Meat and Seafood Add-Ins
In addition to the proteins mentioned above, consider incorporating these flavorful meat and seafood ingredients:
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Bacon – Crispy cooked bacon adds a smoky salty flavor.
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Spam – Slices or cubes of the canned meat.
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Sausage – Try sliced smoked sausage.
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Fish balls – Add Asian-style fish balls for texture.
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Meatballs – Beef or pork meatballs work nicely.
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Crab sticks – Imitation crab sticks add seafood flavor.
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Clams – Canned clams or fresh steamed.
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Squid – Thinly sliced cooked squid.
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Scallops – Quick seared or poached scallops.
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Smoked salmon – Flaked smoked salmon makes it luxe.
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Steak strips – Flash sautéed steak slices.
Full Beef Ramen Recipe Ideas
Here are some full beef ramen recipes to try that incorporate a variety of mix-ins:
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Beef Ramen Noodle Bowl – This recipe tops beef ramen with stir-fried sirloin steak strips, shredded carrots, baby spinach, scallions, and sesame seeds.
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Ramen Carbonara – This creative remix adds crispy bacon, Parmesan, eggs, peas, and black pepper.
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Spicy Beef Ramen – Sirloin steak is paired with bok choy, chili oil, and chili garlic sauce for heat.
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Cheesesteak Ramen – With sliced steak, melty cheese, peppers, and onions, it’s Philly-inspired.
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Meatball Ramen – Beef and pork meatballs make this deliciously hearty.
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Surf and Turf Ramen – Steak and shrimp come together for the ultimate indulgence.
Take Your Ramen to the Next Level
Instant ramen offers a speedy starting point, while fresh ingredients you have on hand easily turn packaged noodles into a flavor-packed meal. Get creative with vegetables, proteins, sauces, spices, meats and toppings to invent your own signature beef ramen recipes. With so many possible additions, the options are practically endless!
Proteins:
Eggs, tofu, beef, chicken, shrimp, pork
Sauces/Seasonings:
Soy sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, sriracha, gochujang, curry paste, 5-spice powder, lime juice
Meats:
Bacon, spam, sausage, fish balls, meatballs, crab sticks, clams, squid, scallops, smoked salmon, steak strips
What kind of noodles are used for ramen?
Ramen uses springy, Chinese-style wheat noodles. They differ from other Asian noodles as they are made with “kansui” or lye water, giving them a unique chewy texture. It’s best to use purpose-made ramen noodles, as if you substitute other noodles they won’t have the same texture. However, you can use other instant noodles if that’s all you have on hand.
What other vegetables can I add to this stir-fry?
This recipe is super versatile, and you can use whatever veggies you have on hand. The key is to consider the cooking time of each vegetable. Harder veggies like carrots or broccoli need a bit more time, while delicate greens cook quickly and should be added last. Here are some great options:
Carrot, capsicum (bell pepper), zucchini (courgette), wombok cabbage, sugar snap peas or snow peas (mangetout): Slice thinly or julienne (think matchsticks) and add at the same time as the bok choy so the vegetables retain their crunch.Mushrooms: Slice thinly. Add to the pan just after the garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes before adding the minced (ground) beef. To keep with the Japanese theme, try shiitake, enoki or oyster mushrooms.Broccoli or cauliflower: Chop into small florets. Steam or microwave for 2–3 minutes first, then toss them in with the bok choy.Kale or baby spinach: Shred into bite-sized pieces. Add at the very end, tossing until just wilted.
In this version of ramen, the noodles are cooked in the same pan as all the other ingredients, making this dish low on stress as well as washing up!
This dinner always saves me from ordering take out
FAQ
How do you fancy up beef ramen?
- Miso paste.
- Chili bean sauce.
- Thai curry paste.
- Japanese curry powder.
- Fish sauce.
- Harissa.
- Vinegar.
- Ponzu.
What veggies go well in beef ramen?
- thinly sliced carrots.
- sliced or spiralized zucchini.
- snow peas or snap peas.
- baby bok choy.
- thinly sliced jalapeño.
- shredded cabbage.
- pickled vegetables.
- mushrooms.
What are the ingredients in beef flavor ramen?
SOUP BASE INGREDIENTS: SALT, SUGAR CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: MALTODEXTRIN, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, CARAMEL COLOR, DEHYDRATED SOY SAUCE (WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), BEEF FAT, SPICES, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, DEHYDRATED VEGETABLES (GALIC, ONION, CHIVE), LACTOSE, …
How to marinate beef for ramen?
- Marinate the beef overnight in the soy sauce, pear, sugar, garlic, gochujang, sesame oil, and ginger.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and grill the meat until charred on both sides.
- Cook noodles as per the package instructions.
- Add the noodles and 2 tablespoons of the marinade to the mix in the pan.
What meat can I add to ramen?
Shrimp is another fantastic type of meat you can add to ramen. Shrimp is low in calories, so it’s a healthier alternative to something like Spam or lots of fatty beef. It will make your ramen delicious! The only downside to using shrimp is that they’re typically more expensive than other types of meat.
What is a good Ramen meat topping?
Steamed chicken must be a perfect ramen meat topping for people who are working out or on a diet. Nice moist chicken meat goes very well with the ramen soup. 11. Roast beef Some high end ramen restaurants serve roast beef as ramen topping instead of pork chashu. It will add some luxurious feeling to your ramen.
Can you add meat to ramen noodles?
One of the best ways to elevate the ramen experience is to add meat to the noodles. Whether you add meat during the preparation or cook it separately, good meat pairs exceptionally well with instant noodles for a delicious meal.
What can I add to ramen noodles?
You can also add all sorts of nutrient-dense ingredients to your ramen like eggs, spinach, mushrooms, green onions, bell pepper, sesame seeds, and more. Fried ramen noodles (the type from an instant ramen package) or dried ramen noodles (that aren’t fried).
How do you make beef ramen noodles?
Add the broth and bring it to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and let them soak and cook.. Slice the cooked steak.. Serve two bowls with broth, noodles, sliced steak, cilantro, green onions, and hard boiled egg. This beef ramen takes plain instant ramen noodles and elevates them into a hearty dish that is rich in flavor.
How long does it take to make beef Ramen?
This beef ramen takes plain instant ramen noodles and elevates them into a hearty dish that is rich in flavor. With the combination of seared sirloin steak and a selection of savory seasonings and veggies, you end up with a ridiculously satisfying noodle dish that is just too good. And, best of all, it takes well under 30 minutes to make!