Easiest Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Beef Recipe
This easy slow cooker ramen recipe combines lean ground beef with a fresh blend of slaw mix and shredded carrots, simmered in a flavorful broth made of chicken stock, garlic, tamari, and brown sugar. Set it and forget it in your slow cooker for a warm, comforting meal featuring tender ramen noodles cooked to perfection right in the broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low plus 5-15 minutes for noodles
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 9 ounces slaw mix (about 4 cups)
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Broth and Seasoning
- ⅓ cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Noodles
- 2 (3-ounce) packages ramen noodles (flavor packets discarded or saved for another use)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart into small chunks. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. This step ensures the beef is fully cooked and develops rich flavor before slow cooking.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Carefully transfer the browned ground beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the slaw mix, shredded carrots, minced garlic, tamari, chicken stock, and brown sugar. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Cook the Broth and Vegetables: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is bubbling. It’s important not to lift the lid during this time to keep the heat consistent and speeds the cooking.
- Add and Cook Noodles: Turn the slow cooker to high (if it isn’t already). Add the ramen noodles, stir them into the sauce to submerge completely. Cook on high for 5 to 15 minutes, or until the noodles are just tender. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings if desired.
Notes
- Discard the flavor packets that come with the ramen noodles or save them for another use as they can be very salty or overpowering.
- You can customize toppings such as sliced green onions, boiled eggs, or sesame seeds to enhance the ramen experience.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.
- Be sure not to overcook the noodles once added, as they can become mushy quickly in the slow cooker.
- This recipe is convenient for busy days since most of the cooking is hands-off using a slow cooker.
Keywords: slow cooker ramen, beef ramen, easy ramen recipe, slow cooker noodles, one pot ramen, healthy ramen
