Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Ramen recipe combines tender ground beef with fresh vegetables and a savory broth, slow-cooked to perfection for a comforting and flavorful meal. Ready in just over 4 hours, this dish offers an easy way to enjoy homemade ramen with minimal hands-on time, perfect for busy days or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably sirloin, 93/7)
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 2-3 large scallions, roughly chopped
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
Noodles and Toppings
- 2 packs ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Additional scallions for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the 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.
- Transfer to 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 to the slow cooker, layering the fresh vegetables over the beef.
- Prepare Broth Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and chicken or beef stock until well combined, creating a flavorful broth base for the ramen.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the broth mixture into the slow cooker over the beef and vegetables. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
- Add Noodles: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add the dry ramen noodles directly to the slow cooker. Stir frequently to ensure the noodles are fully submerged and absorb the broth evenly, cooking until tender but not mushy.
- Serve and Garnish: Once the noodles are cooked, ladle the ramen into bowls. Garnish with additional chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired, providing a fresh and nutty finish.
Notes
- For leaner beef, use sirloin or drain excess fat after browning to reduce grease in the final dish.
- You can substitute chicken stock with beef stock depending on your flavor preference.
- Do not add the ramen noodles at the beginning to prevent overcooking; add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking instead.
- Optional garnishes like sesame seeds and additional scallions add extra flavor and texture.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control the salt level in the dish.
