Description
Hearty slow cooker beef ramen noodles offer comfort and depth with tender meat melting into rich, savory broth. Home cooks savor each spoonful of this Japanese-inspired dish that brings warmth and complexity to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 lb ramen noodles
- 2 cups beef broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 piece (2 inches) fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Garnishes and Toppings:
- 2 green onions
- 1 soft-boiled egg
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions
- Prepare the beef chuck roast by patting it dry with paper towels and generously seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance its flavor profile.
- Place the seasoned beef into the slow cooker, creating a solid base for the ramen dish.
- Mince the garlic and grate the fresh ginger, releasing their aromatic compounds directly over the beef.
- Whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a separate bowl to create a robust and flavorful cooking liquid.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the beef, ensuring the meat is mostly submerged in the savory braising sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the beef to tenderize and develop deep, rich flavors for 7-8 hours.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, remove the beef and shred it using two forks, returning the meat to the cooking liquid.
- Cook the ramen noodles separately according to package instructions, ensuring they remain al dente and do not become mushy.
- Slice mushrooms and chop green onions while the noodles are cooking, preparing the fresh garnishes.
- Soft-boil eggs by gently cooking them for 6-7 minutes, then immediately placing in ice water to halt the cooking process.
- Assemble the dish by layering the cooked noodles in serving bowls, topping with the shredded beef and its cooking liquid.
- Garnish with sliced mushrooms, chopped green onions, soft-boiled egg halves, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately while the ramen is hot, allowing diners to appreciate the complex layers of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Always pat the beef dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect sear and maximum flavor absorption.
- Use chuck roast for its rich marbling, which breaks down beautifully during slow cooking and creates melt-in-your-mouth tender meat.
- Customize the broth’s depth by experimenting with different soy sauce varieties like light, dark, or tamari for unique flavor profiles.
- Reduce cooking liquid before serving to intensify the sauce’s richness and concentrate the umami flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg