Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender ground beef, fresh vegetables, and savory broth slow-cooked to perfection, then combined with ramen noodles for a hearty and delicious dish perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2-3 scallions, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Broth and Sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken stock
Noodles and Garnish
- 2 ramen noodle packets (discard seasoning packets)
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
- Additional scallions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat to avoid greasiness in the slow cooker.
- Add Beef to Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned and drained ground beef into the slow cooker basin.
- Add Vegetables: Add the matchstick carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and roughly chopped scallions into the slow cooker with the beef.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the minced garlic, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and chicken stock. Stir thoroughly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is well mixed.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir everything together to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the beef to become tender.
- Add Ramen Noodles: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add the dry ramen noodles directly into the slow cooker. Discard the seasoning packets as they are not used.
- Stir Noodles: Frequently stir the noodles to ensure they absorb the broth evenly and cook thoroughly without clumping.
- Check Noodles for Tenderness: When the noodles are tender and cooked through, the dish is ready to serve.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the ramen hot, optionally topped with additional scallions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Discard the seasoning packets from the ramen noodles to control the saltiness and flavors in the dish.
- Adjust cooking time within 4-6 hours based on your slow cooker’s heat distribution and desired beef tenderness.
- Stir the noodles frequently after adding them to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- For a spicier version, consider adding chili flakes or sriracha sauce before slow cooking.
- If chicken stock is not available, beef stock or vegetable broth can be used as alternatives.
