Ramen w/ Bacon
This week’s lunch meal prep is all about easy comfort food: ramen with crispy bacon. It’s one of those recipes that hits the spot when you’re craving something savory and satisfying but don’t want to overthink it. This recipe is super versatile; add any veggies you like (I skipped them this time because I was feeling a tad lazy), but it’s a great base to build on. What I really love is when the noodles soak up the broth so it’s not soupy, it’s more like saucy ramen. Let’s make it!
Recipe
4 dry instant ramen packages (just the noodles, toss the seasoning)
2 cups beef broth
½ cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp mirin
2 Tbsp sesame oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 stalk green onions
1–2 Tbsp chili garlic paste (I like the Huy Fong brand)
1 pack of bacon (about 8 oz)
Directions
In a large mixing cup or bowl, stir together the beef broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, green onions and chili garlic paste.
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Cook the ramen noodles for just 1–2 minutes (you want them undercooked—they’ll finish cooking in the sauce).
Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
In the same pot, pour in the sauce mixture and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a low simmer.
Add the noodles back in and toss them in the sauce over low heat for about a minute.
The sauce will look brothy at first, but let the noodles sit off heat for 2–3 minutes and they’ll soak it all up, turning everything into a delicious, saucy situation.
Bacon
While the noodles are cooking, cook the bacon in a cast-iron skillet (or any pan you’ve got) over medium heat.
Let it cook for 3–4 minutes on one side, flip, and continue until it’s crispy and golden brown all over.
Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
Once it’s cooled a bit, chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Assembly
Divide the ramen into four meal prep containers.
Top with the crispy bacon.
Done!
To Reheat
Microwave in two 30-second bursts, stirring in between to make sure everything heats evenly.
Storage
Keeps well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.