Some dinners just make sense for busy weeknights, and this pork ramen stir fry is one of them. It’s quick, hearty, and packed with flavor — and let’s be honest, it’s hard to go wrong with ramen noodles.
I still remember the first night I made this. The kitchen smelled like a takeout spot — garlicky, savory, and just a little spicy — and the whole family came circling around before I even plated dinner. Even my picky eater, who usually side-eyes anything that isn’t grilled cheese, ended up slurping noodles like she hadn’t eaten in days. That’s when I knew this dish would earn a permanent spot in our dinner rotation.
Why This Recipe Is a Weeknight Hero
There’s a reason I keep coming back to this recipe whenever life feels too busy for complicated dinners:
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Ready in 30 minutes – From chopping to serving, it’s on the table fast.
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Budget-friendly – Ramen noodles, basic veggies, and a couple of pork chops keep costs low without sacrificing flavor.
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Kid-friendly – The sweet-savory sauce and springy noodles are a hit even with the pickiest eaters.
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Customizable – Toss in whatever veggies you’ve got — snap peas, bell peppers, even leftover green beans.
And let’s not ignore the fact that reheated leftovers taste almost as good as the first night — if there are any leftovers, that is.
Ingredients That Make It Delicious
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Pork – Boneless pork loin chops are my go-to, but pork tenderloin works beautifully too. Slice it thin for quick, even cooking.
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Veggies – Broccoli florets and a coleslaw mix make this colorful and fresh. The cabbage adds a great crunch.
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A bold sauce – A simple mix of soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, sugar, and red pepper flakes for a little heat.
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Ramen noodles – Just the noodles; toss the seasoning packet. They’re perfect for soaking up that flavorful sauce.
How to Make Pork Ramen Stir Fry
This recipe is straightforward, but the payoff is huge:
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Make the sauce – Whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
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Cook the pork – Heat oil in a large skillet, sear the pork until no longer pink, and remove it from the pan.
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Stir-fry the veggies – Toss broccoli, coleslaw mix, bamboo shoots, and garlic in the skillet. Cook until the broccoli is crisp-tender.
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Bring it together – Add the sauce and pork back to the pan.
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Cook the noodles – Prepare according to package instructions, drain, and toss them into the skillet. Stir until everything is coated in that savory sauce.
The kitchen will smell so good at this point that your family will likely appear with bowls in hand.
Tips for Foolproof Stir Fry
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Slice the pork thin – Thin slices cook fast and stay tender.
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Cook noodles just shy of done – They’ll finish cooking in the stir fry and won’t get mushy.
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Taste as you go – If you like it spicier, add a pinch more red pepper flakes. Prefer it sweeter? A drizzle of honey does wonders.
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Use what you have – Swap out the broccoli for green beans or snap peas if that’s what’s in your fridge.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
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Prep ahead – Chop your pork and veggies in the morning, and this meal comes together in half the time at dinner.
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Store leftovers – Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Reheat gently – Warm in a skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce to keep the noodles from drying out.
Serving Ideas
This dish doesn’t need much on the side, but if you want to round out the meal:
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Quick appetizers – Frozen egg rolls or potstickers are a fun pairing.
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Light sides – A cucumber salad or miso soup balances the richness.
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Simple drinks – Sparkling water with lime or a cold beer pairs perfectly with the salty-sweet flavors.
FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes! Chicken breast or thigh meat works beautifully with the same cooking method.
Q: What other noodles can I use?
Lo mein, soba, or even spaghetti noodles make a good substitute if you’re out of ramen.
Q: How do I make it less salty?
Use low-sodium soy sauce and unsalted ketchup. You can even add a splash of chicken broth to mellow the flavor.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap the pork for tofu or just bulk up on vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and snap peas.
Q: How do I make it spicier?
Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a few extra red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bigger kick.
Pork Ramen Stir Fry
Take your weeknight stir-fry to the next level with this pork ramen stir-fry!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 teaspoons canola oil, divided
- 1 pound boneless pork loin chops, cut into ½-inch strips
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 4 cups coleslaw mix
- 1 (8-ounce) can bamboo shoots, drained
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (3-ounce) packages ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packets)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium heat. Add pork strips and cook until no longer pink. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Toss in the broccoli and stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Add the coleslaw mix, bamboo shoots, and garlic, and continue cooking for 3–4 minutes until the broccoli is crisp-tender.
- Return the pork to the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir well to coat everything and let it heat through.
- Meanwhile, cook ramen noodles according to package directions (discarding the seasoning packets). Drain well and add them directly to the skillet.
- Mix everything together until the noodles soak up that delicious sauce. Serve hot, topped with extra red pepper flakes or fresh green onions if you like a little more kick.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 749Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 31gCholesterol 108mgSodium 1693mgCarbohydrates 52gFiber 7gSugar 27gProtein 38g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
This pork ramen stir fry is proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something comforting and delicious. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together on a weeknight but still feel proud serving to family or friends.
The first time I made it, I barely had time to grab a fork before the pan was almost empty — and now it’s one of those dishes everyone in my house requests on repeat. Give it a try, and it might just become your go-to quick dinner, too.
