You're going to enjoy this simple sesame garlic ramen noodles recipe. Made with some simple ingredients, we get a delicious savory noodle dish with a delicious kick of heat too!
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You can never go wrong with garlic and in this house, we measure garlic with our hearts and add it to everything! This spicy garlic ramen is one of the latest recipes to grace my kitchen and I am so happy to share it with all of you too.
Packed with flavor this Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles recipe discards the seasoning packets and instead makes its own flavor profile using sriracha and soy sauce as the stars. For a savory dish that's as frugal as it is tasty, you're really going to enjoy this ramen!
Looking for more ramen inspiration? Check out my Ramen with Egg and Cheese or this Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen. Both are quick, easy and so delicious!
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's cheap to make. Instant ramen is KNOWN for being cheap, at a few cents per packet, you're looking at a meal perfect for Meal Planning on a Tight Budget and for broke college students everywhere. It's low in cost just like these Small Batch Blueberry Muffins and this Microwave Yellow Squash.
- It's quick to make. These 10-minute ramen noodles don't take much time to make and are perfect for when you're in a hurry.
- It's a one pot recipe. Make the noodles and the broth in one pot to reduce the cleanup later or make them separately so the dish is ready a little faster.
🛒 Ingredients
Ramen- You'll need 3 packets of instant ramen. Any flavor works since the seasoning packets are discarded-we're only using the noodles.
Sesame oil- Used to sauté the garlic and ginger and adds a subtle, nutty flavor. If you don't have sesame oil, olive oil works too. We also use sesame oil in recipes like Bacon Fried Rice and Hot Dog Fried Rice.
Soy sauce- This is the base of the sauce and gives the dish rich, savory flavor. Low-sodium soy sauce is ideal, but regular works just fine.
Brown sugar- A small amount helps balance the salty and acidic flavors, giving the sauce a smoother, more rounded taste.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Ramen Noodles: If you don't have instant ramen, you can replace it with thin spaghetti. Since the seasoning packets aren't used, any thin, quick-cooking noodle works well.
Sriracha Swap: Use chili sauce instead of sriracha if you prefer a milder heat. Add your sauce gradually and adjust to your preferred spice level.
More Sriracha Recipes: If you enjoy sriracha, try it in my Spicy Tuna Sandwich and Spicy Deviled Eggs Recipe, both of which feature a nice kick of heat.
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
Vegetables: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, or any veggies you enjoy for extra flavor and texture.
Protein Options: Make the dish more filling by adding cooked shredded chicken, diced pork, tofu, or cooked shrimp.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Choose Store-Brand Ingredients. Store-brand soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil work perfectly and cost less than name brands.
Stretch It Into a Meal. Add leftover veggies or inexpensive proteins like eggs or tofu to make the dish more filling without raising the cost much.
Buy Garlic & Ginger Smart. Use jarred minced garlic or ginger paste if you already keep them on hand. They're affordable, last longer, and reduce waste.
🥄 Instructions for Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
Step 1: Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add in 3 packets of ramen noodles and enough water to cook them in. Discard the seasoning packets.
Step 2: Cook for about 5 minutes or until the noodles are soft and can be broken apart. Drain into a colander and set aside. Return pan to stove.
Step 3: Add your sesame oil to the pan and cook until sizzling.
Step 4: Add in the minced garlic and minced ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Remove the pan from the heat and add in the remaining sauce ingredients.
Step 6: Stir together until well combined.
Step 7: Add your drained noodles back into the pan with the sauce.
Step 8: Toss together well to coat.
Step 9: Divide into serving dishes and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. If desired, you can top it with more sriracha for added spice.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
Serving Size: One packet of instant ramen equals two servings according to the package.
Portion Planning: This Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles recipe makes 2 large portions or 4 smaller portions. If you're feeding more than two adults, consider doubling the recipe.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftover garlic sesame ramen in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Microwave Reheating: Place the noodles in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
Stovetop Reheating: Warm the noodles in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water if they seem dry or start to stick.
Serve Cold: These noodles also taste great chilled for a refreshing option.
Make Ahead: If preparing in advance, keep the cooked noodles and sauce separate until serving. Mixing too early can cause the noodles to absorb the sauce and lose flavor and texture.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve these ramen noodles with quick sides like steamed veggies, a fresh side salad, or air-fried dumplings. They also pair well with crispy spring rolls, edamame, or a soft-boiled egg to make the meal more filling.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
I always keep my house stocked with the cheaper instant ramen varieties, but Nissin and Maruchan are some of the more popular ramen noodle companies.
When we don't feel like dirtying up a pot on the stove, we often find ourselves cooking ramen in the microwave. Place a brick of ramen in a microwave-safe cereal bowl, add enough water to cover the noodles (break them if needed) and heat for 4-5 minutes before draining and adding the seasonings.
Most ramen noodle varieties that I know of contain gluten, but there are several gluten free varieties out there! You can use any number of those or swap out the requested ramen for rice noodles.
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🐝 If you tried this Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
Ingredients
- 3 packets ramen noodles, seasoning discarded - ($0.90)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil - ($0.14)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced - ($0.18)
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated or minced - ($0.17)
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce - ($0.20)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar - ($0.01)
- 2 teaspoons sriracha or chili sauce - ($0.08)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - ($0.04)
Optional Garnishes
- 4-6 green onions, thinly sliced - ($0.06)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds - ($0.10)
Instructions
- Cook noodles. Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and able to be separated. Drain well and set aside. Discard seasoning packets and return the pan to the stove.
- Heat oil. Add the toasted sesame oil to the pan over medium high heat and heat until sizzling.
- Sauté aromatics. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Make sauce. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, sriracha, and rice vinegar until combined.
- Toss noodles. Add the drained noodles back to the pan and toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve. Divide into bowls and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or extra sriracha if desired.
Notes
- Substitutions. Thin spaghetti can be used in place of ramen noodles. Sriracha may be swapped for chili sauce.
- Serving Size. One packet of ramen serves about 2 small portions, making this recipe 3 large or 6 small servings.
- Make Ahead. Store noodles and sauce separately if preparing in advance to preserve texture. Can be served cold if desired.
- Storage. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or on the stove with a splash of water.
Nutritional Information
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