Slow Cooker Beef Ramen
This Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is cozy, flavorful, and packed with tender beef, rich broth, and noodles, an easy comfort dinner my whole family loves.
There are certain dinners that just feel like a hug in a bowl, and this Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is one of them.
I started making this on a whim one week when I wanted something warm and comforting but didn’t want to stand at the stove all night. Between school schedules, work, and just normal life with Dean, Sam, and Van, I needed something that felt homemade but didn’t require constant attention. This was it.
Dean loves anything noodle-related, so ramen is already a win in his book. And Van? He surprises me every time with this one. He’ll pick around certain things some nights, but give him tender beef and soft noodles in a flavorful broth and he’s happy. Daniel always says it tastes like something you’d get at a cozy little restaurant, but better because we’re eating it at home.
What I love about this recipe is how simple it really is. The slow cooker does all the work. The beef cooks low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender, the broth builds flavor all day, and by dinnertime all you have to do is add the noodles and finish it off.
It feels special, but it’s not complicated. And those are the recipes that stick around in my kitchen.
What Is Slow Cooker Beef Ramen?
Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is a comforting noodle soup made with tender beef, a savory broth flavored with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, and ramen noodles cooked right at the end. It’s inspired by classic ramen flavors but simplified for home cooking and slow cooker convenience.
Savory beef, carrots and red bell pepper bulk up these slow cooker ramen noodles but you can add your family’s favorite veggies. You can even add a fried egg on top and make these even more delicious!
This is such a great change to regular ramen and kid friendly. My kids love these crockpot beef ramen noodles and you can leave out the veggies for picky eaters or add more if you like. It is the perfect dinner for busy weeknights.
The best part is this totally customizable so you can use different veggies or spice it up. You can top this with scallions, sesame seeds, sriracha, or yum yum sauce.
I promise your whole family will love this slow cooker meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cozy, comforting dinner
Slow cooker does most of the work
Tender, flavorful beef
Kid-friendly but still flavorful
Customizable with your favorite toppings
Perfect for cooler weather
When to Serve This Recipe
Cold evenings
Busy weekdays
Sunday family dinner
When someone isn’t feeling well
Anytime you need comfort food
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
Chuck becomes incredibly tender in the slow cooker.1 small onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground)
4 cups beef broth
1 cup water
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 (3-ounce) packages ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
Optional toppings: sliced green onions, soft boiled eggs, sesame seeds
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Ramen
Place the beef chunks in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger over the beef.
Pour in the beef broth and water.
Stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
Remove the beef, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
About 20–30 minutes before serving, add the ramen noodles to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook until the noodles are tender.
Ladle into bowls and top as desired.
My favorite slow cooker for these slow cooker beef ramen noodles is this Hamilton Beach one.
Substitutions
Beef chuck → stew meat
Soy sauce → coconut aminos
Brown sugar → honey
Beef broth → chicken broth
Ramen noodles → rice noodles
Variations
Spicy Ramen: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes
Vegetable Loaded: Add mushrooms, spinach, or carrots
Low-Carb: Skip noodles and add zucchini noodles
Chicken Version: Use boneless chicken thighs instead
Extra Garlic: Double the garlic for bold flavor
Tips & Tricks
Trim excess fat before cooking
Don’t add noodles too early
Taste broth before serving and adjust salt
Shred beef finely for best texture
Leftovers taste even better the next day
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, but cook noodles fresh for best texture.
Can I freeze it?
Freeze the broth and beef without noodles.
Is this very salty?
Using low-sodium soy sauce keeps it balanced.
Can I use instant ramen packets?
Yes, just discard the seasoning.
Serving Ideas
Top with soft boiled eggs
Add steamed broccoli
Serve with potstickers
Pair with a simple cucumber salad
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
Reheat gently on the stove
Add broth if noodles absorb too much liquid
Freeze without noodles up to 2 months
Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is one of those dinners that makes the house feel warm and cozy before you even sit down to eat. It’s simple, comforting, and one of those recipes my family happily eats without complaint, which, if you’re feeding multiple kids like I am, is a win.
Slow Cooker Beef Ramen
This Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is my new favorite weeknight dinner. So easy to throw together but so flavorful. Ground beef, green onions, carrots, red bell pepper and a sweet and savory sauce make this a crowdpleaser.
Ingredients
- ● 1 pound ground beef
- ● 1 cup matchstick carrots
- ● 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- ● 2-3 scallions rough chopped
- ● 3 garlic cloves , minced
- ● 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- ● 1/2 cup brown sugar
- ● 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken stock
- ● 2 ramen noodle packets
- ● Sesame seeds for garnish, optional
- ● Scallions for garnish, optional
Instructions
1. Brown and drain your ground beef.
2. Add the beef to the slow cooker.
3. To the slow cooker add your carrots, red bell pepper and scallions.
4. In a bowl mix together the garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar and chicken
stock.
5. Pour the sauce into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
6. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
7. About 30 minutes before serving add in your dry ramen noodles, discard
the seasoning packets, you just want to add the noodles.
8. Stir those around frequently to make sure they get all covered and cook
evenly.
9. When the noodles are tender serve!
10. I like to top with more scallions and some sesame seeds.
Notes
● While this is ramen you could skip the noodles and serve this over rice or in lettuce leaves.
● You can swap out the beef for ground turkey or chicken.
● Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick.
● Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If you love easy slow cooker dinners packed with bold, comforting flavor, these recipes are perfect to add to your weekly meal rotation. They’re simple to prep, full of cozy, satisfying ingredients, and great for busy nights when you want something hearty waiting for you at the end of the day.
Slow Cooker Chicken Ramen – An easy ramen dinner with tender chicken, rich broth, and classic noodle comfort.
Slow Cooker 3 Ingredient Beef Tips – A simple, hearty slow cooker meal with tender beef and big flavor using minimal ingredients.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites – Juicy steak bites cooked low and slow in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef – Tender beef simmered in a rich teriyaki sauce that’s perfect served over rice or noodles.
- Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Noodle Soup – A comforting soup with tender chicken, noodles, and savory Asian-inspired flavors.
