If you love bold flavors and cozy comfort food, Birria Ramen is about to become your new obsession. This mash-up is everything you crave from deeply seasoned, fall-apart-tender birria beef—swirled together with slurpy ramen noodles in a rich, spicy broth. It’s outrageously easy, incredibly savory, and guaranteed to have everyone at your table asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Absolutely Effortless: The slow cooker does all the hard work for you, transforming beef into decadent, flavor-packed bites with almost zero hands-on time.
- Fusion Comfort: Birria Ramen combines two iconic foods—rich, spiced Mexican stew and classic ramen noodles—for a seriously comforting meal that stands out.
- Endlessly Customizable: The toppings are completely up to you—pile on your favorites, from creamy soft-boiled eggs to fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime.
- Big Batch Friendly: This recipe makes enough for a crowd, perfect for sharing (if you can bear to part with leftovers!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Birria Ramen so irresistible? It’s the brilliant balance of just a handful of key ingredients—every single one brings something unique to the noodle bowl. From the hearty beef to the customizable toppings, here’s what you need (and why each one matters) to make your new go-to comfort food.
- Stew beef (2 pounds): This cut becomes meltingly tender during its slow cook, adding rich flavor and body to the broth.
- Onion (1 small, chopped): Adds sweetness and depth to the savory birria, making the broth extra aromatic.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Brightens and lifts the entire bowl; don’t skip fresh garlic for maximum flavor.
- Birria seasoning packet (1 ounce): The heart of the dish! This packet packs traditional Mexican chile flavor with all the necessary spices blended in.
- Water or beef stock (4 cups): Beef broth offers richer flavor, but water still yields plenty of savory satisfaction—choose based on what you have.
- Ramen noodles (10.75 ounce box): Classic wavy ramen soaks up the birria broth and delivers that signature slurpy satisfaction.
- Toppings—soft-boiled egg, cilantro, onion, lime, jalapeño: These turn a bowl into an event! Creamy eggs, pops of freshness, zip, and heat—totally up to you.
Variations
The beauty of Birria Ramen is that you can totally make it your own! Whether you want to play with proteins, noodle types, or spice levels, it’s so easy to riff on this recipe to suit your cravings or what’s in your pantry.
- Make it chicken: Swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an ultra-tender, slightly lighter version (just reduce the cook time a bit).
- Go vegetarian: Use jackfruit or mushrooms and a veggie birria seasoning packet (or a DIY spice mix) for a plant-based spin packed with umami.
- Mix up your noodles: Don’t have ramen? Udon, soba, or even rice noodles soak up those birria flavors beautifully.
- Bump up the heat: Add a pinch of crushed chile or chipotle in adobo if you want your Birria Ramen with an extra spicy punch.
How to Make Birria Ramen
Step 1: Build the Birria Base in Your Slow Cooker
Start by adding your stew beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, birria seasoning packet, and water or beef stock straight into your slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir so the flavors start mixing. This is where the magic happens—the fragrant blend of beef and spices slowly melding together for hours to come!
Step 2: Set and Forget—Let It Braise
Pop the lid on and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. The low-and-slow treatment transforms tough stew beef into fall-apart morsels that infuse the broth with loads of deep, satisfying flavor. Your kitchen will smell out-of-control amazing!
Step 3: Add Ramen Noodles for the Finish
About 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve, slide the ramen noodles right into the slow cooker. No need to precook—the noodles will drink up all those decadent birria juices and turn perfectly springy in the hot broth.
Step 4: Pile on Toppings and Serve
Ladle generous scoops of the beefy, brothy noodles into bowls, then go wild with toppings: soft-boiled eggs, a flurry of cilantro, crunchy onion, sliced jalapeños, and plenty of lime. Serve piping hot and prepare for instant noodle bliss!
Pro Tips for Making Birria Ramen
- Shred for Success: Once the beef is fork-tender, shred it before adding ramen noodles to ensure every bite is loaded with juicy, flavorful meat.
- Ramen Timing Matters: Add your noodles only when you’re almost ready to eat—any longer, and they’ll get too soft as they soak up all those savory birria juices.
- Broth Boost: Want a richer bowl? Swap half the water for beef stock and add a splash of soy sauce near the end for extra umami punch.
- Customize Your Toppings: Raid your fridge—pickled onions, corn, or even a dollop of crema can take your Birria Ramen over the top!
How to Serve Birria Ramen
Garnishes
Birria Ramen shines brightest with a generous scatter of fresh garnishes. Try a halved soft-boiled egg for creamy richness, lots of chopped cilantro for brightness, diced white onion for crunch, thin jalapeño rings for gentle heat, and a big squeeze of lime for zip. Every topping brings something special, letting you tailor each bowl to your mood.
Side Dishes
For a seriously satisfying spread, serve your Birria Ramen with simple sides like warm corn tortillas or crispy tortilla chips for scooping, a vibrant cucumber salad to cut the richness, or quick-pickled radishes for extra tang. If you’re going all out, some elote (Mexican street corn) never hurts!
Creative Ways to Present
Have fun with presentation! Ladle Birria Ramen into deep bowls and arrange all the toppings in little piles for that ramen shop effect. Or serve buffet-style, with toppings in individual dishes, so everyone can build their own perfect bowl. For next-level flair, finish each bowl with a drizzle of chili oil or toasted sesame seeds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Batched up too much? No worries! Store leftover Birria Ramen (without toppings) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The broth gets even more flavorful overnight—just keep the garnishes and noodles separate if you can, to prevent the noodles from getting too soft.
Freezing
For long-term savoring, freeze the birria beef and broth without the noodles. Cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, defrost overnight and heat gently before adding fresh-cooked noodles and your favorite toppings.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the birria beef and broth gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming, then add cooked ramen noodles right before serving. This way, your noodles stay bouncy and your toppings stay crisp and vibrant.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of meat for Birria Ramen?
Absolutely! While stew beef works beautifully thanks to its marbling, you can substitute with boneless short ribs, chuck roast, or even pork shoulder for a slightly different texture and flavor. Just adjust the cook time so your meat becomes fork-tender.
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Is there a way to make this Birria Ramen spicy?
Definitely—if you like a kick, add chipotle in adobo, extra chili flakes, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce to the broth. Fresh jalapeño slices or even a drizzle of chili oil on top also bring an extra layer of heat.
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Can I make Birria Ramen in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
Yes! You can use your Instant Pot for this recipe. Cook everything except the ramen noodles on the “Meat/Stew” setting for about 45 minutes with natural pressure release. Then, switch to sauté mode, add the noodles, and cook until just tender.
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What if I can’t find a birria seasoning packet?
No problem! You can create your own blend with dried chilies (like guajillo or ancho, rehydrated and blended), cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, ground cloves, and a pinch of cinnamon. There are also DIY birria spice blends online for quick reference.
Final Thoughts
Birria Ramen is pure, soul-hugging comfort—cozy, customizable, and bursting with bold, unforgettable flavor. If you’re looking for a dinner that feels both familiar and excitingly new, this is it. Gather your favorite toppings, invite your hungriest friends, and get ready to make Birria Ramen a crave-worthy regular in your kitchen. Enjoy every last slurp!
Print
Birria Ramen Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Birria Ramen recipe combines the rich flavors of traditional birria stew with the comforting appeal of ramen noodles, creating a fusion dish that is both hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Birria Stew:
- 2 pounds stew beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ounce envelope birria seasoning packet
- 4 cups water or beef stock
For the Ramen:
- 10.75 ounce box ramen noodles
Toppings:
- Soft boiled egg
- Cilantro
- Onion
- Lime
- Jalapeno
Instructions
- Prepare the Birria Stew: In a slow cooker, combine stew beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, birria seasoning packet, and water. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until beef is tender.
- Add Ramen: About 20 minutes before serving, add ramen noodles to the slow cooker. Cover and cook until noodles are tender.
- Serve: Ladle the Birria Ramen into bowls and top with soft boiled egg, cilantro, onion, lime, and jalapeno.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
