My whole family loves ramen noodles. Until last year, I didn’t know I could make my own ramen seasoning.
The two oldest girls were adopted from Ukraine. When they first came to the U.S., ramen noodles were one of the first things they chose to buy.
In Ukraine, they ate ramen noodles all the time at the orphanage, but they ate them dry because they liked it that way.
During their first year in America, they often took ramen noodles to school with them. I’m sure the school thought I was a bad parent because they ate the ramen noodles at school without cooking them.
When we got the twins, one of the older girls introduced them to ramen noodles. They loved them just as much as the older girls did! If my kids could choose, they would eat ramen noodles two or three nights a week.
James can only handle small amounts of gluten without getting sick, which could be seen as either lucky or bad depending on their point of view.
I recently discovered these thin rice noodles and decided to try my hand at making homemade ramen seasoning. It took a few tries to get the right mix of spices, but I’m really happy with how this turned out.
It’s really simple to make your own ramen seasoning, and my kids are excited that they can now eat ramen noodles more often, though not twice or three times a week. .
Store-bought ramen seasoning packets are convenient but making your own homemade beef ramen seasoning allows you to control the flavors and ingredients. With just a few simple spices and seasonings you likely have on hand, you can whip up a tasty DIY blend in minutes.
Why Make Homemade Beef Ramen Seasoning?
There are several benefits to crafting your own beef ramen seasoning rather than relying on pre-made seasoning packets
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Customize the flavor – Tailor the blend to suit your tastes. Make it spicier, saltier, herby or more aromatic.
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Control the quality – Use high quality spices and limit preservatives, anti-caking agents and other additives.
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Save money – Pre-made packets can get expensive if you eat a lot of ramen. Homemade seasoning is very inexpensive per batch.
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Add a personal touch – Crafting your own signature seasoning makes ramen feel like more of a homemade dish.
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Experiment with flavors – Try out different spice combinations each time to discover new favorite flavors.
How to Make Beef Ramen Seasoning
Making your own beef ramen seasoning at home is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Beef bullion cubes or powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Paprika
- Chili powder or cayenne (optional)
- Ground black pepper
- Ground cumin
- Dried thyme
- Salt
Instructions:
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Add 2 tablespoons beef bullion cubes (crushed) or 2 tablespoons beef bullion powder to a small bowl. This provides the savory umami beef flavor.
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Add 1 tablespoon onion powder and 1 tablespoon garlic powder. This provides aromatic flavor.
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Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 1 teaspoon paprika for warmth.
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Add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne (optional for spicy).
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Add 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. These add earthy, robust flavor.
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Start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and adjust to taste. The bullion often contains salt already.
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Thoroughly mix together with a fork until combined evenly.
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Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Tips for Making Homemade Beef Ramen Seasoning
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Use good quality spices for the best flavor. Spices do expire and lose potency over time.
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Crush bullion cubes finely so they incorporate evenly. Otherwise they can clump up when adding to the noodles.
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Adjust amounts of spices to suit your tastes. Add more or less garlic powder, pepper, chili, etc.
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For convenience, make a big batch and store in small jars or containers for multiple uses.
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Allow friends and family to customize their own blends with a DIY ramen seasoning bar.
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Save and reuse old ramen seasoning packets or glass spice jars for storing your homemade mixes.
How to Use Your Homemade Beef Ramen Seasoning
Homecrafted beef ramen seasoning can be used in a variety of ways:
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Sprinkle it onto prepared ramen noodles or into the broth for fullest beef flavor.
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Add it to rice or quinoa along with sautéed veggies for a quick beef fried rice.
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Rub it onto chicken, beef or pork before grilling or roasting.
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Use it to season taco meat or sprinkle over tacos for a Tex-Mex twist.
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Make a beefy marinade for steaks by combining with oil, soy sauce and other desired herbs and spices.
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Add it to popcorn or roasted chickpeas for a uniquely flavored snack.
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Shake it over eggs when scrambling them to start your day with an instant protein boost.
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Mix it into ground beef or turkey before making hamburgers or meatloaf.
The possibilities are endless for deliciously seasoning recipes with your homemade beef ramen blend. With the ability to control ingredients and flavors, you can customize it to match your taste preferences. Experiment, get creative and soon you’ll have a signature blend you love.
FAQs About Making and Using Beef Ramen Seasoning
Can I make it vegetarian/vegan?
Yes, omit the beef bullion and use mushroom or vegetable bullion instead.
How long does it last?
It should keep for 6 months in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Can I use beef stock instead of bullion?
Yes, substitute 2 tablespoons beef stock concentrate or reduce 2 tablespoons regular beef stock.
What’s the best way to store it?
Keeping it in an airtight glass jar or container in a cool dark place is best for maximum freshness.
Can I adjust the spices?
Absolutely! Tweak the blend to your personal tastes. Like it hot? Add more cayenne or chili powder.
What if I can’t find a certain ingredient?
Omit or substitute with a similar spice. You can craft the blend based on what you have available.
With a simple homemade beef ramen seasoning recipe in your arsenal, you can bypass the store-bought packets and create your own signature flavor. Mix up a custom blend tailored to your taste buds. Making your own allows total control over the ingredients while also infusing a personal touch to ramen and other dishes. Get creative and seasoning ramen night will never be boring again!
FAQ {Frequently Asked Questions}
This is hard to answer because I don’t know how many noodles and how much water you’ll be using. But as a general rule, use 2 cups of water for every tablespoon of seasoning.
If you’re unsure, I would start small. You can always add more if you think you need more.
Make Homemade Ramen Seasoning at home!
1. Crush your bouillon cubes into powder. You can do this in a food processor or by hand.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Place in an airtight jar. {I think these glass jars with bamboo lids are adorable for homemade spices.}
To make ramen at home, just mix noodles, water, and ramen seasoning together well.
