Homemade Instant Noodle Cups
Homemade Instant Noodle Cups are one of those lunches that make busy days a whole lot easier. Each jar is packed with ramen, vegetables, greens, and a savory sauce mixture, so lunch is ready with hot water and a few minutes of steeping. You can prep three jars at once and change them up with different vegetables, more or less spice, or your favorite cooked protein. They’re great for work lunches, quick lunches at home, or meal prepping for the week.
For the majority of noodles, you will need to cook them beforehand, since the hot water will not cook the noodles. The only exception is the thinner rice noodles (shown in the photos). They are thinner and not as elastic as uncooked noodles.
Yes. Cooked chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu can turn these into a more filling lunch. Make sure any meat or seafood is fully cooked before it goes into the jar.
For this recipe, I like using three 16-ounce wide-mouth mason jars with lids. Wide-mouth jars make it much easier to layer the noodles and vegetables and get everything back out when you’re ready to eat.
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Ingredient Notes
- Vegetable bouillon: Creates the flavorful broth base. Chicken or beef bouillon also works.
- Hoisin sauce: Adds a slightly sweet, savory flavor.
- Soy sauce: Adds salty, savory flavor. Use low-sodium if preferred.
- Sriracha: Optional for a little heat.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the broth. Lime juice also works.
- Frozen mixed vegetables: A carrot, pea, corn, and green bean blend works well.
- Ramen noodles: Cook most ramen before adding it to the jars. For the majority of noodles, you will need to cook them beforehand, since the hot water will not cook the noodles. The only exception is the thinner rice noodles (shown in the photos). They are thinner and not as elastic as uncooked noodles.
- Spinach or green onions: Add fresh flavor and color.
Homemade Instant Noodle Cups
- Layer the ingredients into a mason jar. Start with 1 teaspoon of vegetable bouillon cube in each jar.
- Then add in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha sauce, and lemon juice.
- Place the vegetables on top of the spice layer.
- Next, add in the cooked ramen noodles, leaving 1 inch space for the fresh spinach at the top.
- Top off with fresh spinach and seal mason jars with a lid.
- When ready to eat, fill with boiling hot water and let steep for 3 minutes before eating.
- Do not fill the jar all the way to the top, as you will need to stir the sauces before eating. Or, you can pour all of the contents into a bowl and stir to combine.
Homemade Instant Noodle Cups
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons vegetable bouillon cube or bouillon paste 1 teaspoon per jar
- 3 teaspoons hoisin sauce 1 teaspoon per jar
- 3 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon per jar
- 1 ½ teaspoons sriracha sauce ½ teaspoon per jar, *optional *
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon per jar
- ¾ cup frozen mixed vegetables ¼ cup per jar
- 3 cups cooked ramen noodles 1 cup per jar, I used two (3.5 ounce) ramen packs
- 6 Tablespoons spinach or green onions sliced (2 Tablespoons per jar)
- ¾ cup hot water per jar
Instructions
- Layer the ingredients into a mason jar. Start with 1 teaspoon of vegetable bouillon cube in each jar.
- Then add in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha sauce, and lemon juice.
- Place the vegetables on top of the stock/spices layer.
- Next, add in the cooked ramen noodles, leaving 1 inch space for the fresh spinach at the top.
- Top off with fresh spinach and seal mason jars with a lid.
- When ready to eat, fill with boiling hot water and let steep for 3 minutes before eating. Do not fill the jar all the way to the top, as you will need to stir the sauces before eating. Or, you can pour all of the contents into a bowl and stir to combine.
Notes
Bouillon: Vegetable, chicken, or beef bouillon all work. Bouillon paste also blends easily into the hot broth. Vegetables: Try green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrots, corn, peas, or another quick-cooking vegetable. Noodles: Ramen works well for these cups, but you can also try rice noodles or another noodle that reheats well. Greens: Replace the spinach with green onions, cilantro, parsley, or another leafy green you enjoy. Citrus: Lime juice can be used instead of lemon juice. Extra spice: Add more sriracha, chili garlic sauce, red pepper flakes, or a little chili crisp when serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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