Why You’ll Love This Beef Raman Noodles Recipe
Picture this: juicy beef mince, springy noodles, a rich umami-packed sauce, and crisp veggies coming together in one irresistible bite. It’s the ultimate comfort meal—just like your favourite takeaway, but cheaper, fresher, and even tastier! The best part? You can whip it up using just a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients in no time. 🙌
Budget-Friendly – Feeds the whole family for around $20!
Super Quick – On the table in 20 minutes or less.
Loaded with Flavour – A perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami goodness.
Easy to Customise – Toss in extra veggies, swap the protein, or make it spicy!
Healthier Than Takeout – Fresh ingredients, no MSG, and totally satisfying.
If you love effortless, flavour-packed meals, this one’s about to become a weeknight favourite! 🔥
The Secret to the Best Beef Raman Noodles
A great ramen dish is all about flavourful beef, a rich sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles. Here’s how to make sure yours turn out just right:
1. Choose the Right Beef 🥩
I use 500g of beef mince, but not all mince is created equal! Go for regular beef mince (not lean!)—it has just enough fat to keep things juicy without being greasy. If you only have lean mince, add a teaspoon of sesame oil for richness.
👉 Want to change it up? Ground pork, chicken, or even crumbled tofu work just as well!
2. The Perfect Ramen Noodles 🍜
Instant ramen noodles are the hero here! I prefer any classic brand, but avoid the overly processed ones with artificial flavour packets—just use the noodles and ditch the packet. Cook them just until tender and rinse them under cold water to prevent them from sticking.
If you want to upgrade your ramen game, swap instant noodles for fresh yakisoba noodles or soba noodles for a more authentic texture!
3. The Ultimate Umami Sauce 😍
This flavour-packed sauce is the magic that brings the whole dish together! The oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and Chinese cooking wine create a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savoury.
- Oyster Sauce – Adds depth and a subtle sweetness.
- Soy Sauce – A classic salty, umami boost.
- Hoisin Sauce – Brings a hint of sweet and tangy richness.
- Chinese Cooking Wine (Shaoxing Wine) – Elevates the dish with an authentic restaurant-style taste.
Pro Tip: No Chinese cooking wine? Use dry sherry or even apple cider vinegar for a similar effect!
4. The Crunch Factor 🥬
Adding veggies like dry slaw and bean sprouts keeps the dish fresh and balanced! You get that crunchy texture that pairs beautifully with the saucy noodles.
Want to mix it up? Try adding:
- Shredded carrots 🥕
- Thinly sliced capsicum 🌶️
- Bok choy or spinach 🥬
- Mushrooms 🍄
A little variety goes a long way!
How to Serve These Beef Ramen Noodles
This Beef Raman Noodles is a meal on its own, but if you want to bulk it up, try pairing it with:
Steamed dumplings – Because who doesn’t love dumplings with ramen?
A side of miso soup – A light, savoury broth to balance the meal.
A fried or soft-boiled egg – Adds richness and a silky texture.
Kimchi or pickled veggies – A touch of tangy spice cuts through the umami.
And don’t forget extra sesame seeds and fresh green onions on top for the perfect finishing touch!
How to Take Your Beef Ramen Noodles to the Next Level
Want to make your beef ramen noodles taste even better? With a few simple upgrades, you can turn this already delicious meal into a restaurant-quality dish. Whether you’re looking for a richer broth, extra crunch, or a little spice, these tips will help you create the best beef ramen noodles recipe every single time!
1. Build a Flavourful Broth 🍲
If you love the soupy style of beef with ramen noodles, you can easily add a broth base without making it too watery. Here’s how:
Stir in 1 cup of beef stock while mixing the noodles into the sauce. This gives it a slightly saucy consistency without losing flavour.
For a richer broth, add ½ teaspoon of miso paste or a dash of fish sauce to deepen the umami.
Want it spicy? A spoonful of chilli paste or Sriracha will do the trick!
2. Upgrade Your Toppings 🥚🥦
Toppings can take your noodles beef ramen from simple to spectacular! Here are some easy add-ons to enhance the texture and taste:
A soft-boiled egg – Adds creaminess and richness. Just boil an egg for 6-7 minutes, peel, and slice in half.
Toasted sesame seeds & fried shallots – For crunch and a nutty depth of flavour.
Nori (seaweed sheets) – A classic ramen topping that brings out the umami notes.
Chilli oil or fresh chilli slices – Perfect if you love a bit of heat!
Fresh coriander & lime wedges – For a bright, zesty finish.
3. Swap Out the Noodles 🍜
While instant ramen noodles are a great choice for speed and convenience, you can mix things up with other noodle varieties to find your favourite texture! Try these alternatives:
Fresh ramen noodles – Chewy and authentic, these bring your beef ramen noodles recipe to the next level.
Udon noodles – Thicker and more satisfying for a heartier dish.
Rice noodles – A great gluten-free option that still absorbs all the flavour.
4. Make It Meal Prep Friendly 🍱
This beef with ramen noodles dish is perfect for meal prepping if you make a few small adjustments:
Store the noodles and beef separately to prevent sogginess. When reheating, mix them together with a splash of soy sauce or broth.
Double the beef mixture and freeze half for another night—it defrosts beautifully!
Pack it for lunch in an airtight container and reheat with a little water or extra sauce for freshness.
By following these easy tips, your beef ramen noodles will always turn out flavourful, satisfying, and better than takeaway!
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to store them:
Fridge – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan with a splash of water to loosen up the sauce.
Freezer – Not ideal for freezing (noodles get mushy), but you can freeze the cooked beef mixture separately and toss it with fresh noodles when reheating!
Meal Prep Tip: Cook the beef and sauce in advance, then just heat and toss with noodles for a fresh meal in minutes!
More Holiday Recipes to Love
If you love quick, flavourful meals, here are some other budget-friendly favourites:
Let me know which one you try next! 😍
Invite to Share
That’s it! Quick, easy, and ridiculously good Beef Raman Noodles for under $20! If you try this recipe, snap a pic and tag me @steph_cooks_stuff on Instagram—I’d love to see your creations! 📸
Happy cooking!
Beef Raman Noodles
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Day 4 of Easy dinners for around $20: Beef Raman Noodles You’ll Want Every Night!
Who doesn’t love a quick, hearty dinner that hits all the right notes? My beef ramen noodles are packed with flavour, come together in no time, and will have everyone asking for seconds! Perfect for busy nights when you want something delish without the fuss. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
- 500g beef mince
- 2 packets instant noodles
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 packet dry slaw
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 3 green onions, sliced
- sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Cook your noodles according to the packet instructions and set aside.
- Heat a little oil in a hot pan, toss in the beef mince, and cook until beautifully browned.
- Stir in the garlic paste, ginger paste, oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and Chinese cooking wine. Let the flavours dance together for about a minute.
- Add the slaw and bean sprouts, cooking for a few minutes until softened.
- Throw in your cooked noodles and sliced green onions. Give it all a good stir until everything’s coated in that saucy goodness.
- Plate up and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a little crunch and extra flair.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Add chilli flakes, Sriracha, or a drizzle of chilli oil to turn up the heat!
If you don’t have instant noodles, try soba noodles, udon, or even spaghetti in a pinch!
Yes! Swap soy sauce for tamari and use rice noodles or gluten-free ramen instead.