If you love ramen but are trying to eat healthier on a budget, this mason jar ramen meal prep recipe is for you. As a nutrition expert I encounter people who are trying to make healthier changes to their diet but are limited in time and money. This recipe is a convenient and healthier way to enjoy instant ramen, you simply add hot water, mix and enjoy. The combination of noodles and fresh ingredients combined together in a mason jar keep the food fresh for several days. Elevate your instant ramen game easily with this healthier recipe to help you reach your health goals and save money!
What is Mason Jar Ramen?
Instant ramen noodles meal prepped into mason jars are like healthier cup noodles. Prep along with nutritious and wholesome ingredients that you can enjoy throughout the week. Simply add hot water to the mason jars and you have a quick and affordable hot lunch. These are perfect to take to work or school.
Ingredients
These are my dietitian approved ingredients that are my favorites both taste and nutrition wise. However this recipe is customizable and you can add whatever you like.
Eggs, boiled and peeled – Boost the protein by adding an egg which provides complete protein and 13 essential vitamins and minerals. I like a 7-minute boiled egg for this recipe.
Seasoning packets that come with instant ramen – Zero waste over here, I’m a firm believer in using what you already have! I’m a health professional and saying it is OK to use the seasoning packets. You will also divide the 2 seasoning packets amongst 4 mason jars.
Ginger and garlic powder – These add extra flavor.
Hot sauce – I use sriracha sauce and love the kick it gives it. But hot sauce is optional.
Frozen corn – An inexpensive vegetable that adds a bit of sweetness to this umami meal prep mason jar dish.
Mushrooms – A nutrient powerhouse that adds that umami flavor, mushrooms are a must. Mushrooms also contain an amino acid called ergothioneine which is a potent antioxidant.
Green onions – A must in all Asian soup noodle recipes.
Blocks of instant ramen noodles – The carbohydrate base in this recipe, these will be cooked until just tender.
Fresh baby spinach – Leafy greens increase the fiber and vitamins and minerals. Fresh baby spinach cooks in seconds, perfect for when you add the hot water to the jar contents.
How to Make Mason Jar Ramen? Step by Step Instructions with Photos
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- Bring a pot of water to boil and add ramen noodles. Boil for 2 minutes until noodles are just tender. Drain noodles in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Drain well.
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- Divide 2 seasoning packets (powder and oil) amongst four 16 oz (473 mL) mason jars. Top each jar with garlic powder, ginger powder, sesame seeds and sriracha sauce.
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- Divide mushrooms, green onions and frozen corn amongst jars.
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- Add drained noodles.
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- Add one boiled egg to each jar.
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- Top with baby spinach. Cover the jars and refrigerate!
How to Enjoy?
Remove from the refrigerator and warm the jars by allowing them to sit on the counter at room temperature for 1-2 hours before eating. Once the jars are warmed to room temperature, you can pour hot water directly into the jar to eat, or you can do what I like to do, pour the contents into a bowl and then add hot water. If your water is not hot enough, you might need to heat the bowl in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
How Long Does It Last?
After preparing, they should go directly into the refrigerator. As a health professional who is trained in food safety, I don’t recommend keeping them for more than 5 days. The combination of fresh ingredients in the mason jar helps the dish to maintain freshness.
Expert Tips from a Dietitian/Nutrition Expert
Will I lose weight with this mason jar meal prepped recipe?
You can. When combined with exercise and portioned meals, it can help you to reach your weight loss goals.
What about sodium content?
For this recipe I’m not as concerned about sodium because you are dividing the seasoning packets amongst jars, decreasing how much you would consume in one sitting. Eating instant ramen the traditional way has more sodium. If you are watching your sodium intake, skip the seasoning packets all together.
What about adding miso?
Miso paste is so delicious and gives it that umami. You are more than welcome to add it. Start with a small amount, about ⅛ of a teaspoon and adjust to add more if you want more flavor. However miso is also high in sodium and it would increase the sodium content overall. I would omit the seasoning packets if you choose to add miso paste.
Mason Jar Ramen
Equipment
- 4 mason jars 16 oz or 473 mL
Ingredients
- 2 3.5 oz (100g) blocks instant ramen
- 4 large eggs, boiled and peeled. I prefer a 7 minute boiled egg for this recipe
- 4 seasoning packets from ramen packages, both powder and oil packets
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) ginger powder
- 2 tsps (10 mL) sesame seeds
- 2 tsps (10 mL) sriracha sauce optional
- 6 small button or cremini mushrooms
- 1 cup (250 mL) frozen corn
- 2 green onion
- 2 cups (500 mL) fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- To a pot of boiling hot water, add both instant ramen blocks. Let cook for 2 minutes until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water (this helps to stop the cooking process). Drain until all water is removed. Set aside.
- Divide four seasoning packets (2 powder and 2 oil) to amongst four 16 oz (473 mL) mason jars.
- Add ⅛ tsp garlic powder, ⅛ tsp ginger powder, ½ tsp sesame seeds, and ½ tsp hot sauce to each jar.
- Clean and slice mushrooms and green onions. Divide mushrooms, frozen corn and green onions amongst the jars.
- Divide the noodles amongst the jars.
- Add a boiled egg to each jar.
- Top each jar with baby spinach. As a dietitian, I like to really pack in the spinach!
- Close the jars and refrigerate until it’s time to eat. They last in the fridge for up to 5 days. When it’s time to eat, let the jars get to room temperature by leaving them on the counter for 1-2 hours before eating. Then add hot water to the jars. Or you can do what I do, dump the contents into a bowl and then add hot water. You may need to microwave the contents in the bowl for 45 seconds to 1 minute in case the water is not hot enough.
- If you poured hot water into a jar, close the jars and shake everything together. Or stir to combine everything if you poured the contents into a bowl.
Did you make this recipe? Post your recipe and tag @michellejaelin to share your creation! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Other healthy Asian food recipes you might enjoy:
Quinoa Rice
Barley Fried Rice
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