Q: Can I use fresh ramen noodles?

A: Yes! Adjust cooking time since fresh noodles cook faster.

Q: How long does this last in the fridge?

A: Store leftovers for up to 3 days.

Q: Can I freeze this dish?

A: Best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the broth and add noodles later.

Slow Cooker Beef Ramen Noodles: Quick Weeknight Meal

Ingredients

— The Beef —

1.5 lbs (700g) flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

2 tablespoons cornstarch (to coat the beef)

1 tablespoon olive oil

— The Sauce —

1 cup beef broth (low sodium)

½ cup soy sauce

⅓ cup brown sugar, packed

1 tablespoon sesame oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

— The Add-ins —

3 packs (3 oz each) instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)

2 cups broccoli florets, chopped small

½ cup shredded carrots (optional)

— Garnish —

Green onions, sliced

Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. **Prep Beef:** Place the thinly sliced flank steak in a bowl. Sprinkle with the cornstarch and toss until the meat is lightly coated. (This helps thicken the sauce as it cooks).

2. **Layer:** Place the coated beef in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

3. **Make Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger. Pour this mixture over the beef.

4. **Slow Cook:** Cover and cook on **LOW for 4–5 hours** or **HIGH for 2–3 hours**. The beef should be very tender.

5. **Add Noodles & Veggies:** About 20–30 minutes before serving, open the lid. Stir in the broccoli florets and carrots. Break the ramen noodle bricks in half and push them down into the liquid so they are submerged.

6. **Finish:** Cover and cook on **HIGH for 20–30 minutes**, or until the noodles are soft and the broccoli is tender-crisp. (Stir halfway through to separate the noodles).

7. **Serve:** Stir well to coat everything in the sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.

Notes

Discard the Packets: Do not use the flavor packets that come with the ramen! The homemade sauce has plenty of sodium and flavor on its own.

Beef Cut: Flank steak is best for slicing into nice strips, but you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes (though chuck may need a longer cook time to get tender).

Veggie Timing: Don’t add the broccoli at the beginning, or it will turn into mush. Adding it with the noodles ensures it stays green and has a bit of bite.

Saltiness: Soy sauce brands vary in saltiness. It is highly recommended to use low-sodium soy sauce so you can control the seasoning.

Author: Anna Lovae
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 240
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Asian-American