Easy Homemade Shrimp Ramen Soup: A Flavorful and Healthy Quick Meal
Craving a comforting bowl of ramen but want something healthier and more satisfying than instant noodles? This Easy Shrimp Ramen Soup Recipe is your perfect solution! Far superior to anything you’ll find in a packet, this homemade version is bursting with fresh vegetables, succulent shrimp, and a meticulously balanced blend of spices, delivering an explosion of complex flavors in every spoonful. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience, and undoubtedly one of the best shrimp ramen recipes you’ll ever create in your own kitchen!
Why Homemade Shrimp Ramen is a Game Changer
As a passionate home cook, I constantly seek out recipes that are both quick and easy to prepare, without compromising on flavor or nutritional value. These types of meals are truly the backbone of any busy household, and they’re definitely a cornerstone of Countryside Cravings’ philosophy. This particular shrimp ramen recipe embodies everything I love about simple cooking: it’s incredibly fast, delightfully easy, and has quickly become a reader favorite for all the right reasons.
Let’s be honest, who hasn’t relied on instant ramen noodles “back in the day”? I’m certainly raising my hand! It was the go-to meal for a super-fast, warm, and comforting soup fix on a chilly day. The convenience was undeniable, but as we grow and become more conscious about what we put into our bodies, a quick glance at the back of those ramen packages can be quite an eye-opener. YIKES is right!
That little seasoning packet, while convenient, is often a concoction of high sodium, artificial flavors, and preservatives that don’t contribute positively to our health or overall culinary experience. The good news? We can easily ditch that packet and elevate a simple bowl of ramen into something truly spectacular. By enriching it with vibrant, fresh vegetables and tender, flavorful shrimp, we transform it into a wholesome, delicious, and incredibly satisfying meal. This homemade shrimp ramen soup recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create complex, restaurant-quality flavors in mere minutes. It’s truly one for the recipe books and has become an absolute favorite in my kitchen!
If you’re looking for more quick and easy comfort food ideas, be sure to try some of my other popular soup recipes like Easy Taco Soup, 30 Minute White Chicken Chili, and Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup.
Irresistible Reasons to Make This Seafood Ramen Recipe
This isn’t just another ramen recipe; it’s a culinary gem that offers a multitude of benefits, making it an instant favorite for weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love making and devouring this seafood ramen:
- Effortlessly Easy to Make: Forget complicated techniques or lengthy ingredient lists. This recipe is designed for simplicity, allowing anyone, regardless of their cooking skill, to create a magnificent meal.
- The Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s something inherently soothing about a warm bowl of soup, and this ramen delivers comfort in spades. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for warming you from the inside out.
- Shrimp Adds a Unique & Delicious Spin: While pork or chicken are traditional ramen proteins, the addition of shrimp introduces a wonderful tenderness and a delicate, sweet flavor that perfectly complements the savory broth, offering a delightful twist on a classic.
- Packed with Nourishing Veggies: We’re not shy with the vegetables here! This ramen is loaded with fresh, colorful ingredients that add essential nutrients, satisfying texture, and vibrant flavors to every bite.
- Lightning Fast – Ready in Just 20 Minutes: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in under half an hour. It’s an ideal choice for those busy evenings when you need a quick yet incredibly flavorful homemade dinner.
Essential Ingredients for Your Delectable Shrimp Ramen
Crafting the perfect bowl of shrimp ramen starts with selecting quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and inviting textures of this fantastic soup. Here’s a closer look at the key players:
- SHRIMP: The star of our seafood ramen! You can opt for either fresh or frozen shrimp, just ensure they are peeled and deveined for convenience. If using frozen, remember to thaw them thoroughly overnight in the fridge for best results. Medium to large-sized shrimp work best, offering a satisfying bite without being overwhelmed by the noodles and vegetables.
- MUSHROOMS: Sliced mushrooms add an incredible depth of umami flavor and a wonderful chewy texture. I personally find baby portobello mushrooms to be excellent for this recipe, but cremini or even shiitake mushrooms would also be fantastic choices, each bringing their own subtle nuances.
- CARROT: Grated carrot provides a subtle sweetness and a beautiful pop of color. Grating ensures it cooks quickly and blends seamlessly into the soup, making it easier to eat and integrate into every spoonful. You could also julienne them if you prefer a different texture.
- GARLIC: Absolutely essential for that foundational savory aroma and flavor. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic base that elevates all the other ingredients in the broth.
- BROTH: The heart of any great soup! I prefer using low-sodium broth (chicken, vegetable, or even a light fish broth) to better control the overall saltiness of the dish, allowing the other flavors to shine. Feel free to use your preferred type and brand.
- GINGER: For a delightful, warming zing and a hint of spiciness that I truly adore. Freshly grated ginger provides the most vibrant flavor, but for a convenient alternative, ginger paste in a tube works wonderfully.
- SOY SAUCE: This brings that quintessential umami depth and a salty, savory balance to the broth. Again, opting for low-sodium soy sauce is a good idea, or you can use Tamari for a gluten-free option.
- SESAME OIL: A little goes a long way! Just one teaspoon of toasted sesame oil adds a nutty, earthy, and highly aromatic finish to the soup. It’s best added towards the end or as a drizzle to preserve its delicate flavor.
- OLIVE OIL: Used for sautéing our aromatic vegetables, helping to soften them and release their flavors before the broth is added. Any neutral cooking oil can be substituted.
- RAMEN NOODLES: The foundation of our ramen! Use the dried noodle blocks, but crucially, *discard the seasoning packet*. This recipe creates its own far superior flavor profile. You can use traditional instant ramen noodles (without the packet) or explore other quick-cooking ramen varieties.
- GREEN ONIONS & CILANTRO: These fresh herbs are not just for garnish; they add a crucial burst of freshness, vibrant color, and an aromatic lift to the finished dish. Don’t skip them if you can help it!
Simple Steps to Craft Your Shrimp Ramen
Creating this flavorful shrimp ramen is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these easy steps for a delicious meal in no time:
PREPARE THE VEGETABLES: Begin by heating 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and grated carrot, sautéing them for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften and release their moisture. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring continuously until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
INCORPORATE THE LIQUIDS: Pour in the broth of your choice, then add the freshly grated ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the pot. Stir everything together to combine. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
ADD THE NOODLES AND SHRIMP: Once the broth is vigorously boiling, add the ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) and the thawed, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Cover the pot again and allow it to boil for just 3 minutes. This short cooking time ensures the shrimp are perfectly cooked and tender, and the noodles reach an ideal al dente texture.
Once cooked, ladle your vibrant seafood ramen into bowls. Garnish generously with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro for an added burst of flavor and visual appeal, and enjoy immediately!
Customize Your Shrimp Ramen: Spicy & Hearty Variations
One of the best aspects of homemade ramen is its incredible versatility. You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your personal preferences, whether you crave more heat or a richer, brothier experience.
Spicy Shrimp Ramen Soup
For those who love to ignite their taste buds, adding a kick to your shrimp ramen is absolutely no problem! Simply stir in your favorite hot sauce directly into your bowl or into the pot during the last minute of cooking. Popular choices include:
- Sriracha: For a garlicky, sweet heat.
- Tabasco or Chili Garlic Sauce: For a vinegar-forward or more intense chili flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes or Cayenne Pepper: These dried spices offer a straightforward, adjustable heat. Start with a pinch and add more to taste.
- Fresh Jalapeño or Serrano Peppers: Sliced thinly, these can provide a vibrant, fresh spice.
Experiment to find your perfect level of warmth!
Make it Brothier & Heartier
You might notice from the pictures that this soup has a fairly concentrated broth, allowing the ingredients to shine. If you prefer a more “soupy” ramen, with a generous amount of flavorful broth to slurp up, simply double the quantity of broth or stock you use. When you double the liquid, it’s also a good idea to proportionally increase the other flavor agents to maintain the soup’s robust taste. Consider doubling the grated ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil as well.
Furthermore, this recipe is incredibly forgiving when it comes to vegetables. Feel free to double the amount of mushrooms and carrots, or even add other quick-cooking vegetables like spinach, bok choy, bell peppers, or snow peas for extra bulk, nutrients, and texture. While you certainly can add more shrimp if you wish, there’s usually plenty in the original recipe to satisfy, so doubling the shrimp isn’t typically necessary unless you’re a major seafood enthusiast.
This dish truly embodies versatility, allowing you to tailor it to your exact cravings, which is precisely why I believe it stands out as one of the best shrimp ramen recipes you’ll find!
And for a fantastic time-saver, especially if grating fresh ginger isn’t your favorite task, I highly recommend keeping tubes of Stir-in Ginger Paste in your fridge. It’s so much easier and provides consistent flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions About Shrimp Ramen
Absolutely! Frozen shrimp are perfectly fine for this seafood ramen recipe and often a convenient choice. The most important step is to ensure they are thawed properly before adding them to the pot. For best results, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch, you can place the frozen shrimp in a colander under cold running water for a quicker thaw, or even add smaller frozen shrimp directly to the boiling broth, though you might need to extend the cooking time by a minute or two to ensure they are thoroughly cooked. Always make sure they are peeled and deveined.
While you technically *could* add shrimp to instant ramen, it’s important to cook the shrimp separately first to avoid overcooking the noodles or undercooking the shrimp. However, I must emphasize that my homemade recipe for shrimp ramen is vastly superior in terms of flavor, freshness, and nutritional value compared to the packaged stuff. And the best part? It only takes about 20 minutes to make, making it just as quick as most instant versions but infinitely more delicious and healthy!
In my homemade ramen soup recipe, you will certainly be able to taste the delicate sweetness and distinct flavor of the shrimp, but it’s designed not to be overly “fishy.” The fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and vegetables balance the seafood notes beautifully, creating a harmonious and well-rounded flavor profile. In contrast, many packaged shrimp ramen varieties often have an artificial or sometimes even an unpleasantly strong “fishy” taste that doesn’t truly resemble fresh seafood. My advice? Experience the authentic, balanced taste by making it yourself instead!
This recipe is already packed with incredible flavor, but there are always ways to customize and enhance your seafood ramen experience! If you want to experiment and add some extras, try incorporating more soy sauce for added umami, a splash of your favorite hot sauce for heat (as described above), or more vegetables for texture and nutrients. Many people also love to add a perfectly soft-boiled egg, sliced in half, to their ramen – which, in all honesty, sounds absolutely delicious and adds a rich, creamy element. Other great additions include a sheet of nori (seaweed), a handful of fresh spinach, corn kernels, or a drizzle of chili oil for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
More Delicious Soup Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings
If you’ve enjoyed this easy shrimp ramen, you’ll love exploring more of my comforting and simple soup recipes:
- Creamy Taco Soup
- Tuscan Bean Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Tomato Basil Soup
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Easy Shrimp Ramen Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces (230g) sliced mushrooms (I like baby portobello)
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (946ml) low sodium broth/stock of choice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 (3 ounce) (85g) packages ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
- 1 pound (450g) medium/large raw shrimp (thawed, cleaned, and peeled)
- Chopped green onions and cilantro for garnish, optional
Instructions
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In a large pot saute mushrooms and carrot in olive oil for 5 minutes or until they start to soften. Add garlic and cook stirring for 30 seconds. Add broth, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Cover and bring to a boil.
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Once boiling add noodles and shrimp. Cover and boil for 3 minutes. Serve topped with chopped green onions and cilantro if desired.
Video
Notes
- How to make Spicy Shrimp Ramen Soup:
- Sriracha sauce
- Tabasco Sauce
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne pepper
- Jalapeno pepper
- To make this a more “brothy” soup make the following changes:
- 8 cups broth/stock
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- feel free to add more garlic (I like garlic and it’s great for cold season so I always add more 🙂 )
- Nutrition facts: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. Nutrition info calculated using vegetable broth.
What to serve with Shrimp Ramen Soup:
- A big side salad
- Fresh fruit
- Crusty bread to soak up broth
- Soft boiled egg
Nutrition
