Ramen broth is a complex flavored stock that is so delicious you won’t want to waste a drop of it.
Perhaps you have made some at home or brought a takeout from the ramen bar. You don’t want to throw it out but aren’t sure what to use it for.
Alternatively, everyone who is a fan of instant ramen noodles always has a packet of ramen stored in the cupboard because it provides them with an easy and quick dinner whenever they are hungry but don’t have time to cook for hours.
Of course, the flavor sachets inside provide a mix for an instant and not nearly-so-tasty broth but you still won’t want to waste any.
So, are you ready to get the most out of your ramen broth? Read on for four ideas!
What To Do with Leftover Ramen Broth
Real ramen broth is incredibly delicious since it’s a combination of animal broth – often either beef, chicken, pork, or a combination of all three types of meat – and dashi, which is a fish-based stock.
It usually also contains ingredients like ginger, garlic, sake, kelp, and shiitake mushrooms. This is not something you want to waste! Remember that you can always freeze it until you are ready to use it.
1. Ramen Broth Soup
There is nothing more comforting than soup on a cold evening, and leftover ramen broth provides a richly flavored base for it. Simply pour the leftover broth into a pan and bring it to a boil. This is your stock base.
Add some sliced spring onions and mushrooms. Check the seasoning as you may need to add a little pepper and soy sauce. Boil until the vegetables are soft then serve hot with some crusty bread.
If you like, the soup can be garnished with some coriander leaves and dried chili flakes.
To add a Thai flavor to the soup, you can add sliced red peppers, peanut butter, baby corn, and mushrooms. Simmer everything together to combine the flavors and soften the vegetables.
If you want to use the leftover broth to make an Italian soup, you can add a can of chopped tomatoes, a grated carrot, a clove of crushed garlic, and a can of cannellini beans. Add half a teaspoon of dried basil or oregano, or both.
Simmer everything together until the vegetables are soft. Serve this luscious soup garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, a grating of Parmesan cheese, and a few fresh basil leaves.
2. Ramen Burgers
If you want to make something a little more substantial than soup, use the leftover ramen broth to make ramen-flavored burgers.
First, you want to reduce the ramen broth to obtain a concentrated stock. Do this by boiling it over high heat until all but half a cupful has evaporated.
Next, take about half a kilogram of beef mince and mix it with one finely chopped onion, a crushed garlic clove, and pepper. Now, soak two slices of white bread (remove the crusts) in the hot ramen broth.
Use your hands to mix this into the mince mixture, combining everything well. Shape the mix into burger patties and grill on the barbeque or fry them in a little oil. Use these to assemble your burger buns.
Instead of the usual mayonnaise on the buns, use either honey mustard dressing or teriyaki sauce.
You can also use this idea to make meatballs. Use the recipe for the burger patties but shape the minced mixture into meatballs.
After frying or grilling them as before, place the browned meatballs in an oven dish and pour some more ramen broth over them to cover the meatballs halfway. Bake them in a hot oven for about twenty minutes.
The broth in the dish can be thickened with a little cornstarch to make gravy. Serve with rice.
3. Savory Ramen Rice
If you want to make a quick rice recipe for your dinner or lunch, you can make ramen rice with the leftover broth. Put uncooked rice in your rice cooker as usual but instead of adding water, add the ramen broth.
While it’s cooking, stir-fry some cubed vegetables such as carrots, onions, green beans, and mushrooms. Stir these into the rice once it’s cooked. Serve it as it is in a bowl or use it as a side dish for chicken.
4. Use as a Dressing
Substitute ramen broth for salad dressing on your lunch salad for some unique Asian flavors! You’ll need to reduce the broth as before to concentrate the rich umami taste.
Then cool it and drizzle it over your salad just before you’re ready to eat. For extra authenticity and nutrition, sprinkle the top with some chopped peanuts.
The Bottom Line
When you are using the leftover ramen broth, please remember to be careful about adding extra salt, as this broth usually has a high salt content.
We hope you enjoy experimenting with these recipe ideas and may you never waste another drop of ramen broth again!