Description
Slow Cooker Beef Ramen Noodles deliver tender ground beef, crisp veggies, and slurpable noodles in a sweet-savory soy broth that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This hands-off recipe transforms pantry staples into a hearty, Asian-inspired bowl your family will crave, ready with just minutes of prep. Customize with spice or extra toppings for endless enjoyment.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (93% lean for less fat) 1 cup matchstick carrots 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 3 green onions (scallions), sliced (plus more for garnish) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (or 1 tsp ground) 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark) 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth) 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 tablespoon sesame oil 8 oz ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets; about 2–3 packs) Optional garnishes: sriracha, sesame seeds, soft-boiled egg, cilantro
Instructions
Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high. Cook ground beef until browned and crumbled, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. This step builds rich flavor. Layer the slow cooker: Add browned beef, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, garlic, and ginger to a 6-quart slow cooker. Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, broth, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until sugar dissolves. Pour over beef and veggies. Stir gently. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, until veggies are tender but crisp. Add noodles: Increase to high. Add ramen noodles, pressing down to submerge. Cook 20-25 minutes until al dente. Stir halfway to prevent sticking. Serve: Ladle into bowls. Garnish with sriracha, sesame seeds, egg, and extra green onions. Enjoy hot!
Notes
Pro Tip: Taste broth before noodles; adjust sweetness or salt as needed. Avoid mushy noodles: Always add them last and cook just until tender. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze 2 months (without noodles). Reheat on stovetop with splash of broth; cook fresh noodles separately. Slow cooker size: Use 5-6 qt for even cooking.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT6H
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg