How To Jazz Up Instant Ramen With Frozen Veggies For A Gourmet Bite

Instant ramen holds a special place in the hearts of many. Whether eaten as a go-to struggle meal during your college days, a quick bite on a busy work day, or just a comforting serving for a taste of nostalgia, there's plenty that a humble packet of instant ramen has to offer. In today's era of social media, there's no shortage of instant ramen hacks that go viral and have ramen fans stocking up on their supply of their favorite brands of instant ramen; be it by adding a single creamy ingredient for a desirable nuttiness or making an irresistible, two-ingredient sauce to combine with the rest of the components for a flavorful concoction. Adding to our list of secret ingredients that we think can work wonders in your instant ramen comes the handy bag of frozen vegetables lying in your freezer. After all, what better way to get in your serving of nutritious veggies than with slurpy noodles? Between frozen corn, leafy greens, crunchy carrots, and much more, adding veggies brings fun variety to your standard serving of instant ramen.

One of the many perks of frozen produce is that since it is harvested at its peak and frozen immediately, it locks in its freshness, flavor, nutritional value, and — to some extent — texture. Frozen vegetables are really easy to cook, and it can be as simple as boiling them directly in the ramen water until they soften into the desired texture, or sautéing them in a pan with simple seasonings to give them a little oomph before stirring in the cooked ramen noodles. With your supply of frozen vegetables, you can turn a simple meal into a more nutritious and even tastier treat.

Using frozen vegetables to level up your instant ramen with vital nutrients opens you up to a world of deliciously diverse possibilities. Plus, when paired with a salty, savory ramen broth, even those who tend to be picky with their veggies can end up enjoying their recommended serving of vegetables. 

A default option to boost the nutritional value of instant ramen is with a protein-rich legume that most plant-based eaters have on hand in the freezer: edamame. But there are so many more possibilities and flavor profiles that the plant kingdom has to offer, made much more convenient thanks to frozen vegetables. For a vibrant pop of color, consider a medley of corn, peas, beans, and carrots. Reach for frozen broccoli or cauliflower for a satisfying, cruciferous crunch. If you come across frozen baby corn pieces, use them in your ramen for a hint of subtle sweetness and mild vegetal notes, while a blend of tricolor frozen peppers adds a sweet, peppery bite and slight crunch.

Those who particularly savor earthy, umami notes should look no further than a frozen bag of mushrooms that are easy to sauté and stir into instant ramen broth. Perhaps one of the easiest frozen vegetables for your ramen would be leafy greens like spinach, which you can allow to steam in the residual heat after everything else has cooked. For a comforting autumnal vibe, take advantage of frozen sweet potatoes and squashes. In addition to bulking up the broth with flavor and texture, frozen vegetables can also easily be transformed into a crispy topping for a delightful textural contrast.