How do you make healthy ramen noodles?
Do you like the instant ramen and the convenience they bring? But not so sure about all that sodium and MSG in its spice packet of soup stock? In that case, the answer is simple! It’s time to make your own stir fry sauce! Because this ramen noodle recipe tastes better than anything in a packet! Besides it comes together as quickly as if you were using the ramen packets. So perfect for quick mid-week meal! I also encourage you to try 10 Best Past Recipes.
- First things first, you will need 2 packages of noodles to make the ramen noodle recipe. I used two 3 ounce packages in total.
- You will start by boiling the noodles. Only 2 minutes.
- While they are cooking, we will make the stir fry!
- Simply heat your vegetable oil in a medium skillet and sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper and broccoli. Only enough to make them soft. I did it very quickly, about two minutes.
- Then, I removed the vegetables from the pan and added my ground beef.
- Once you cooked the beef, drain all its liquid and add back the vegetables.
- Now, prepare the sauce by adding soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and garlic.
- Finally, drain cooked ramen noodles and toss them in the beef with sauce!
- Top the noodles stir fry with chopped green onions or sesame seeds!
I added sauce and noodles at the same time.
What if I don’t like soy sauce?
If you are not a fan of soy, you can easily replace it with coconut aminos or tamari sauce. If you never cooked with coconut aminos, they are dark in color. Just like soy sauce. But unlike soy sauce, they contain far less sodium. Yet, they still have that salty, umami flavor of soy.
What about Tamari sauce? You will find it stronger in flavor than coconut aminos, but also less salty than soy. If you are gluten free, you can use Tamari instead of soy. I used Tamari sauce in this Easy Chicken Stir Fry as well. Give it a try!
So next time you are reaching for something quick to eat, you know there is a healthier alternative! You can now make this healthy ramen noodles recipe for lunch. Or, dinner. And, you can even add more spice. If so, add a bit more sriracha until desired heat is reached. Or, use less. You can also use sesame oil here, but I find its taste a bit strong. Therefore go slow on it. Start with 1/2 teaspoon only. So much better than instant Ramen packets! And so healthy!
Healthy Beef Ramen Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 head broccoli cut into florets
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 6 oz ramen noodles (2 packets with seasoning packets discarded)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 c. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp. sriracha
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 scallion (chopped)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions, peppers, and broccoli and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Remove from the pan.
- Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink, 5 minutes more. Drain fat and return vegetables back to the skillet
- Make sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Sriracha, and garlic.
- In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add ramen noodles and cook until tender, 2 minutes. Drain.
- Add cooked ramen noodles to skillet and pour over sauce. Toss until completely combined. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary. Then garnish with scallions and serve.
What can you replace Sirrachi sauce with if you don’t like it and don’t do spicy at all due to stomach issues!?
How about ketchup?
How much is one serving? A cup?
yes – one cup
This recipe is a family favorite in my house. I shared it with my sister and she loves it too! I make it with ground turkey and low sodium soy sauce. I otherwise follow the recipe as is. I’m going to throw in some mushrooms tonight which I think will be a nice addition. I bet shredded carrots would also be a nice addition. Can you freeze this meal? Thanks!
I agree about shredded carrots. You can definitely freeze it.
Could I use a different kind of hot sauce? Don’t like siracha
You can absolutely use a different sauce. Oyster sauce or regular hot sauce.
What if i don’t have sriacha?
You can definitely use regular chili sauce. You can even use ketchup with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper added to it.
My kids love this recipe. I make it with chicken too and add finely chopped carrots.
YES for finely chopped carrots!!
What do you make the sauce with when you make it with chicken?
I am not sure what Gary did exactly. I would make the sauce exactly as it is. Both ground chicken and turkey would work great!
This recipe was amazing. I used fresh ramen from my local Asian mart. Delish!
Great choice in the fresh ramen!
Do you think I can use rice noodles instead? I forgot to buy ramen noodles!
Yes, absolutely!