Crockpot Caramelized Pork and Ramen Soup

This ramen is a labor of love but it's worth all the effort for the crispy, beautifully seasoned pork with veggies, eggs, and loads of noodles.

Since ramen has been our thing lately, I decided to try out this recipe that was a little out of my comfort zone. I was a little weary of the Chinese Five Spice because I have never liked anise in the slightest. However, I knew Nick would enjoy it because he likes anything black licorice flavored. As the pork was slow cooking, I got more and more nervous because that anise aroma was overpowering to my sensitive sense of smell. I powered through making it and hoped for the best. In the end, the actual flavor of the anise in the Chinese Five Spice was not overwhelming but just a nice undertone and I absolutely could handle that. So here is our favorite slow-cooked ramen recipe!

(Print)
What you need:

• 2 to 3 lb. pork shoulder roast
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, plus some if needed 
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup + 2 to 4 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup + 2 to 4 Tbsp. rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. Thai red curry paste
• 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger
• 1 Tbsp. sriracha or to taste
• 1 lime
• 1 Tbsp. Chinese five spice
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 4 packs Ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
• 4 soft boiled, hard boiled, or fried eggs, for serving
• Matchstick carrots, for serving
• Sliced jalapenos, for serving
• Chopped cilantro, for serving
• Diced green onions, for serving
• Radishes, sliced for serving

Directions:

1. Place pork in the crockpot and pour chicken broth, 1/4 to 1/2 cup soy sauce, and 1/4 cup rice vinegar over the top.
2. Top with Thai red curry paste, ginger, sriracha, juice of 1 lime, Chinese five spice, black pepper, and 1 Tbsp. brown sugar.
3. Cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours.
4. Shred pork and place on a plate.
5. In a large skillet over medium heat, add vegetable oil. Add just enough pork to cover the bottom of the skillet.
6. Sprinkle with brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. soy sauce and 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar; toss to coat.
7. Let caramelize for 3 to 5 minutes. Then remove from pan and keep warm. Repeat with remaining pork.
8. Meanwhile add ramen noodles to crockpot and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes or until done.
9. Add half the cooked pork into the crockpot.
10. Serve soup topped with additional pork, an egg, carrots, jalapeno, green onions, cilantro, and radishes. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.

Recipe adapted from Half Baked Harvest

If you need quick ramen recipe that is also really simple, this 15 Minute Garlic Butter Ramen is the best ramen ever ever. Or if you like a little heat, check out this Spicy Pork Ramen Noodle Soup from Kitchen Sanctuary has heat and leeks and other goodies!

------------------------------
don't miss a thing. follow fantastical on:
facebook | pinterest | bloglovin | instagram