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This quick and easy one skillet Shrimp Ramen dish will satisfy your comfort food cravings. Whether you’re a busy college student or a fabulous mom making dinner for the family, this recipe is perfect for all you busy people who want a delectable meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get ready to indulge in a bowl of flavor-packed goodness that will impress your taste buds and have you coming back for seconds. Let’s dive into this delightful shrimp ramen recipe that guarantees a delicious dinner in no time!
I was given a preview copy of the Healthy Back Kitchen book but all my opinions are my own. The America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook giveaway is closed and the winner has received their prize.
We appreciate your support
Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
How to make
Shrimp meets instant ramen noodles in this dish with a spicy hoisin sauce so good no one will suspect how easy it is to make.
The full printable Shrimp Ramen recipe ingredients and instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can find important tips and tricks in the post.
After cooking the shrimp for less than 2 minutes, you can set them aside and take a break.
Next up, sauté bell pepper slices and peanuts and then build a fragrant broth base and add bricks of ramen noodles (sans the flavoring packets).
As any college student will tell you, the ramen cooks in minutes. But that isn’t the end of the story here, because a potent mix of hoisin sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil is stirred into the noodles before the shrimp-bell pepper mixture is returned to the mix.
The result is a dish that is the essence of noodle heaven.
I also like that this isn’t a bowl of soup. It’s a bowl of noodles.
Do not substitute other types of noodles for the ramen noodles here. The sauce will seem brothy when finished, but the liquid will be absorbed quickly by the noodles when served.
The Healthy Back Kitchen
This delicious recipe comes from the new cookbook from America’s Test Kitchen, {affiliate link} The Healthy Back Kitchen: Move Easier, Cook Simpler How to Enjoy Great Food While Managing Back Pain.
Written in collaboration with neurosurgeon Griffin Baum, M.D., this cookbook and guidebook teaches a simpler way of moving in the kitchen, with 225+ recipes designed to avoid prolonged standing and minimize exertion. Which means the recipes are easy and quick to make!
In the book, they use kitchen ergonomics to reinvent every step of the cooking process so you can cook well with less physical strain while enjoying delicious meals.
For instance, the Shrimp Ramen noodles recipe that I’ve chosen to share, you don’t have to boil a big old pot of boiling water, that you then have to drain off in the sink. This is an easy one skillet meal where everything cooks in the same skillet.
The recipes in the book highlight breaks in the cooking process so you can see at a glance when you can sit down if you need to. I have taken this out of my share of the recipe, but I think it’s such a fantastic idea.
Reboot your cooking life with this book. Don’t let back pain take the pleasure out of cooking.
There are even exercises you can do during the breaks in the recipes. Exercises and stretches that will help you strengthen your back. With guidelines for setting up an ergonomic kitchen and America’s Test Kitchen equipment recommendations.
Stretches and exercises to manage and reduce back pain
These stretches can be done whenever you have a few extra minutes.
And the recipes in the book have those designated breaks build right into the cookbook. Think of the breaks as a good time to get in some exercise.
Ten principles for living your best life
I love the 10 principles that they have included here. Nice reminders and good ways to live your life.
#5 Make everyday luxurious. Use the things you do every day as opportunities to treat yourself. A cup of good coffee. A special ingredient. A decadent dessert. … These seemingly little things can boost your dopamine and serotonin levels and can literally make you happier and lessen you pain.
Numbers 7 and 9 are my other favorites!
Reboot your cooking life
ATK’s suggestions go beyond the cooking process to rethinking how you interact with the kitchen itself.
And you’ll learn how to set up an optimized workstation.
And, of course, the recipes are fantastic. Besides the Shrimp Ramen recipe that I’m sharing I’ve marked so many recipe pages to try.
The creamy chickpea and roasted garlic soup sounds amazing. The Fideos with chickpeas recipe and Hands off baked brown rice are must trys for me!
There are sections for easy slow cooker sides as well as sauces that can jump start dinner.
The shrimp ramen recipe comes from a whole chapter of skillet meals.
Reasons to love this recipe
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe is not only quick and tasty but also easy on the wallet, making it a perfect option for those who want a satisfying meal without breaking the bank. And, if you think shrimp aren’t in your budget, be sure to check out your store’s sale pricing. My grocery store often has bags of shrimp on sale for about $5.
- Versatile Ingredients: Feel free to get creative with the ingredients! You can add your favorite veggies, such as carrots, mushrooms, or bok choy, to amp up the nutritional value and customize the flavors to suit your taste preferences.
- Health Benefits: Shrimp is a great source of lean protein and essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. By incorporating shrimp into your ramen, you’re adding a nutritious element to your meal.
- Meal Prep: This recipe can be easily adapted for meal prepping. Prepare a larger batch of the noodles, and store them in the fridge. The ramen is delicious served cold from the fridge for a nice pasta salad – perfect for potlucks and summer picnics too. Or, pop the leftover noodles in the microwave for a minute to reheat.
- Leftover Creativity: Don’t let any leftovers go to waste! You can repurpose the shrimp ramen by turning it into a stir-fry or adding it to fried rice for a delicious next-day meal.
- Enjoyment for All: Whether you’re cooking for yourself, entertaining friends, or feeding your family, this shrimp ramen recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a versatile dish that appeals to various palates and dietary preferences.
- Be sure to check out more Frugal Meals to Save Money as well!
FAQs
Absolutely! You can use fresh or frozen shrimp in this.
Frozen shrimp are my preference; you’ll be able to defrost as much as you want, saving the rest of the shrimp for anther meal.
And, shrimp defrost in just a few minutes. Place the frozen shrimp in a bowl of tap water.
Change out the water a few times, and in about 5 minutes, you have shrimp ready to go.
You can also thaw the shrimp in the fridge overnight.
Because this is a super quick one pot meal, do not substitute other types of noodles for the ramen noodles here. You only want the inexpensive packet of curly ramen noodles (and just toss the seasoning packet in the trash).
If you can’t eat shrimp, or don’t care for it, feel free to use any protein you like in this dish. Tofu, chicken, or pork will all work. Add in a nice ramen egg. Or, just leave the protein out – the dish is still fantastic, and with the peanuts, it’s got a nice amount of protein already.
Personally, I think it’s great with some air fryer tofu tossed in as well.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
Yes, this is easily vegan or vegetarian. Simply leave off the shrimp. Everything else is vegan in the recipe!
And be sure to use a vegetable broth.
Is the recipe spicy?
Is it spicy, or can I adjust the level of heat?
You can absolutely adjust the level of heat in this dish.
Add in more or less red pepper flakes. Or leave them out entirely.
Like it really spicy, after serving, top it with some Sriracha for a fiery kick.
Change it up
Can I make the broth from scratch or should I use a store-bought option? Use your favorite broth here. If you usually use chicken broth, that will taste best to you. Of course my choice is homemade vegetarian vegetable broth or {affiliate link} Better than Bouillon vegetable base.
Add in more vegetables for variety. Mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, peas, bok choy, all make delicious additions to the dish.
Can I add additional seasonings or sauces to enhance the flavor? Of course! Feel free to mix it up and change it around. I recommend making the recipe as is the first time so you can see where you want to take it.
Make seafood ramen by adding any other seafood – fish, scallops, or mussels – you like.
Are there any side dishes that pair well with this shrimp ramen?
Dumplings or potstickers are great with ramen.
Tofu satay and Vegetable egg rolls are also delicious sides.
Fried rice, cucumber salad, and Asian chickpea salad are more great choices.
Remember, simplicity and speed don’t mean compromising on taste. This shrimp ramen recipe is a testament to that, offering a delightful dining experience that will leave you craving more. So go ahead and share the joy of this quick, tasty, and comforting meal with your fellow foodies!
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Recipe
Shrimp Ramen
Ingredients
- 1 pound peeled and deveined extra-large shrimp 21 to 25 per pound
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- Pinch sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided use
- 1 red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and sliced thin
- ½ cup dry-roasted peanuts
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3½ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 4 packages ramen noodles (3-ounce each) seasoning packets discarded
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 3 scallions sliced thin on bias
Instructions
- Toss shrimp, salt, pepper, and sugar together in medium bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add shrimp in single layer and cook without stirring until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Stir shrimp and continue to cook until light pink and all but very centers are opaque, about 30 seconds.1 pound peeled and deveined extra-large shrimp, ¼ teaspoon table salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, Pinch sugar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Transfer shrimp to bowl, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to now-empty skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add bell pepper and peanuts and cook until pepper is softened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl with shrimp.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 red bell pepper, ½ cup dry-roasted peanuts
- Add garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes to oil left in skillet and cook over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth. Break bricks of ramen into small chunks and add to skillet. Bring to simmer and cook, tossing ramen constantly with tongs to separate, until ramen is just tender but there is still liquid in pan, about 2 minutes.3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3½ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth, 4 packages ramen noodles
- Stir in hoisin, vinegar, and sesame oil and continue to simmer until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Return shrimp-pepper mixture to skillet and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with scallions and serve.2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, 3 scallions
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Julie Collins
Very good. I did add some extra veggies. My noodles came from Whole Foods I have used then in other recipes and they are delicious.
Julie