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Best Easy 5-Ingredient Ramen Noodle Stir Fry Recipe

ramen noodle stir fry - featured image

This easy 5-ingredient ramen noodle stir fry is a quick, forgiving weeknight dinner that transforms humble instant ramen into a glossy, savory dish with a buttery sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights and uses simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 packets instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or neutral oil (e.g., avocado, canola, grapeseed)
  • 1 cup vegetables (optional, e.g., shredded carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli)
  • Protein (optional, e.g., leftover cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu)
  • Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ramen Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodle blocks (discard seasoning packets). Cook for 1 minute less than package directions (about 2 minutes). Drain in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. Prep Aromatics and Veggies: While noodles cook, mince garlic. Slice any vegetables into thin, uniform pieces.
  3. Stir-Fry Aromatics: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic and any hard vegetables (e.g., carrots, broccoli stems). Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add Noodles and Sauce: Add drained ramen noodles to the pan. Pour soy sauce over the top. Toss with a wooden spoon or tongs to coat evenly. Let noodles sit undisturbed for about 30 seconds to get a slight sear.
  5. Finish with Butter: Add butter to the pan. Toss continuously until butter melts and coats all noodles, making the sauce glossy. If adding quick-cooking vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, snap peas) or protein, add now and toss until heated through.
  6. Serve Immediately: Remove from heat. Taste and adjust salt or soy sauce if needed. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Don’t overcook the noodles; undercook by 1 minute as they’ll finish in the pan. Use high heat for stir-frying. Work in batches if adding lots of veggies to avoid steaming. Use tongs for tossing. Season at the end to control saltiness. For a lighter version, reduce butter to 1 tablespoon or swap for sesame oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: ramen noodle stir fry, easy stir fry, 5-ingredient dinner, quick weeknight meal, instant ramen recipe, butter ramen