Description
This Slow Cooker Ramen recipe combines tender ground beef, crisp bell peppers, and carrots simmered in a flavorful broth with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, all cooked low and slow for maximum flavor. The ramen noodles are added at the end for a perfectly cooked, comforting noodle soup that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ½ cups sliced bell peppers (about 1 ½ medium bell peppers)
- 1 ½ cups matchstick carrots
Broth and Sauce
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha (or other chili sauce, additional for garnish if desired)
- 1 ramen seasoning packet (from the 2 packages of ramen noodles)
Noodles and Garnish
- 2 packages ramen noodles (discard all but 1 flavor packet)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Sliced green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until there is no pink left and the beef is fully cooked.
- Prepare the slow cooker base: Remove the skillet from heat, drain off any excess grease, then transfer the cooked beef to a 4-6 quart slow cooker insert. Add the sliced bell peppers and matchstick carrots to the slow cooker with the beef.
- Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium beef broth, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, one ramen seasoning packet, and sriracha until well combined.
- Combine and cook: Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 to 2 hours or on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and vegetables to become tender.
- Add noodles: About 10 to 15 minutes before serving, add the 2 packages of ramen noodles to the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the noodles reach your desired tenderness.
- Garnish and serve: Once the noodles are cooked, stir gently, then serve topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Discard all but one ramen seasoning packet to control sodium and flavor balance.
- Adjust sriracha to taste depending on preferred spice level.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker; monitor noodles closely to avoid overcooking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For added crunch, garnish with fresh bean sprouts or shredded cabbage.