Ready for the easiest comfort food you’ll crave on repeat? Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles are a game-changer—speedy, savory, buttery, and absolutely loaded with irresistible garlicky goodness. If you’ve got noodles, butter, and garlic, you can have a steaming bowl of pure happiness in 10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra-Fast Comfort: You can have a bowl of warm, buttery noodles in under 15 minutes from start to finish—even on the busiest weeknights.
- Garlic Heaven: Each bite is rich with golden sautéed garlic, infusing the noodles with deep, savory flavor that just gets better the more you eat.
- Pantry Friendly: No fancy ingredients required—if you’ve got instant ramen, butter, and garlic on hand, dinner is practically done.
- Totally Customizable: Tweak to your taste—add protein, toss in veggies, swap broths, or even make it dairy-free. These are “choose your own adventure” Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles is how effortlessly these everyday ingredients come together to create such irresistible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters in this quick, cozy dish.
- Unsalted Butter (3 tablespoons, divided): The star of the show! It’s what gives the noodles their creamy, rich, and silky texture—plus lets the garlic shine without turning salty.
- Fresh Garlic (3 large cloves, minced): Nothing beats real, fresh garlic here. It infuses everything with a deep, aromatic savoriness that’s the heartbeat of this recipe.
- Chicken Stock (1 ½ cups, low sodium preferred): This is what lifts the dish with extra body and flavor—way better than plain water.
- Salt & Black Pepper (⅛ teaspoon each): Seasoning is key and keeping things light allows the garlic-butter flavor to stand out.
- Instant Ramen Noodles (2 packs, 3 oz each; flavor packets discarded): Use your favorite brand here, just remove the seasoning packets—these noodles will soak up all the garlicky, buttery goodness.
- Fresh Parsley (1 tablespoon, or 1 teaspoon dried): Adds color, brightness, and a little herbal lift to finish off the dish.
Variations
One of the reasons I can never get bored of making Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles is just how flexible the recipe is—you can riff on it in a dozen delicious ways. Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity and fit every craving or dietary need!
- Spicy Garlic Ramen: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a swirl of sriracha when you add the butter for a fiery kick.
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap the chicken stock for vegetable broth, and mix in your favorite quick-cooking veggies—like snap peas, spinach, or thawed edamame.
- Protein Boost: Stir in cooked shredded chicken, tofu, or even a soft-poached egg right as you finish the noodles for extra heartiness.
- Lemon-Lover’s Touch: Finish the ramen with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a bit of zest for a pop of fresh, bright flavor.
How to Make Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles
Step 1: Gently Sauté the Garlic
Start by adding 2 tablespoons of butter and all the minced garlic to a cold skillet or saucepan—this is the secret to coaxing out maximum flavor without any risk of burning. Set the pan over medium heat and stir constantly; you’ll notice that signature aroma wafting up as the garlic turns a beautiful, light golden shade. Be patient and don’t crank up the heat—you want the garlic fragrant and sweet, not browned or bitter!
Step 2: Simmer with Stock & Seasonings
Once the garlic is lightly golden, pour in the chicken stock along with the salt and pepper. Bring everything to a gentle boil—this will not only lift any toasty garlic bits from the pan but will also build a savory, almost broth-like base for your noodles to soak up.
Step 3: Cook the Ramen Noodles
Add the dried ramen noodles straight into the pot (no need to break them unless you want shorter noodles). Stir every 20–30 seconds to help the noodles separate and cook evenly as they absorb that garlicky, buttery broth. Cook just until almost all the liquid is gone but a small amount of saucy stock remains—you want glossy, flavorful noodles, not a soup!
Step 4: Finish with Buttery Goodness & Herbs
Take the pot off the heat and immediately add the final tablespoon of butter along with the parsley. The residual heat will melt the butter and gently wilt the herbs, giving your Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles a silky, restaurant-style finish and a pop of green.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles
- Garlic Safety Zone: Always start garlic and butter in a cold pan and bring it up to temp—this draws out sweetness and keeps the garlic from burning.
- Broth Matters: Use low-sodium stock since ramen can get salty fast—this lets you control the seasoning and savor every slurp.
- Saucy, Not Soupy: Pull the noodles off the heat while there’s still a bit of broth left—the noodles will finish absorbing it as they rest, giving maximum flavor and that glossy finish.
- Parsley at the Finish Line: Add parsley with the final bit of butter off the heat for vibrant color and fresh, herbal flavor (and no limp herbs guaranteed!).
How to Serve Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles
Garnishes
Sprinkle your Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles with a handful of extra chopped parsley, sliced scallions, or even a touch more cracked black pepper for a little pizzazz. For a zesty twist, try a pinch of lemon zest or a drizzle of chili oil right before serving—these tiny touches make every bite pop.
Side Dishes
Pair the noodles with lightly steamed or roasted veggies—like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy—to round out the meal. If you’re feeling fancy, serve alongside crispy tofu, a jammy egg, or rotisserie chicken for a little extra protein and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For something extra special, twirl the ramen into little “nests” using tongs and plate with plenty of extra sauce on top. Serve in deep bowls with chopsticks for ultimate slurping satisfaction, or offer in small cups as a fun first course at a dinner party—these noodles are always a showstopper!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The noodles will continue to soak up the savory sauce, so the flavor gets even richer with time!
Freezing
While you technically can freeze Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles, the texture of the noodles may become a bit soft after thawing. For the freshest results, this dish is best enjoyed right away or within a couple of days from the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash more chicken stock or water to loosen the noodles and revive that glossy, buttery finish. Stir well and add a fresh sprinkle of parsley before serving for the best flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of fresh cloves?
While pre-minced garlic will save some prep time, the fresh cloves give the noodles that deep, warm, aromatic flavor that makes this dish shine. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use pre-minced in a pinch—just be sure to reduce the quantity slightly since the flavor can be more intense.
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What brand or type of ramen noodles works best here?
Any standard instant ramen noodle works perfectly in this recipe—just make sure to discard the seasoning packets. Some folks love the curlier style; others prefer the straight ones. Choose your favorite, or even try fresh ramen if you want to elevate the texture.
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How can I make Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles vegetarian?
Simply swap the chicken stock for a good-quality vegetable broth. You can also add sautéed or roasted vegetables, tofu, or even mushrooms for extra flavor and heartiness.
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How do I keep the garlic from burning?
Start the garlic and butter in a cold pan, then turn the heat to medium—this gives the garlic time to gently infuse the butter and prevents it from browning too quickly. Stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as the garlic turns fragrant and light golden.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something soul-soothing and speedy, these Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles deliver big-time. Whip up a bowl tonight and taste for yourself why this dish has become my weeknight hero—it’s a little bit of magic in every buttery, garlicky bite!
Print
Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles recipe that is perfect for a quick meal. This flavorful dish is a twist on traditional ramen noodles, elevated with a garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced (or use 4 medium)
- 1 and 1/2 cups chicken stock (33% less sodium)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 2 (3 ounces) packages instant ramen noodles, flavor packets discarded
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Add Butter and Garlic: Add 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic to a cold medium-sized skillet or pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the garlic is lightly golden.
- Add Stock and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook Noodles: Add the ramen noodles and cook, stirring every 20-30 seconds until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in the remaining butter and parsley.
- Serve: Enjoy hot!
Notes
- Adjust salt based on the sodium content of your chicken stock.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
