When the idea of making a Ramen with my Homemade Turkey Stock and a little leftover Thanksgiving Turkey entered my mind, I just couldn’t let it go. I mean seriously I was just under the grip of this cray cray idea. So of course, I started with google and I found the idea of Turkey Ramen is not without precedence. Is there nothing “new” in the world of cooking?
Home-made Turkey Ramen – delish!
For one, I’m sure though it’s not what we Americans think of as “traditional” there must be some turkeys in Japan, but what really cemented this turkey and ramen marriage was this recipe from Chef Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia. Chef Lee is known for blending Asian and Southern flavors in a way that celebrates both cultures. I know I’m gonna be watching for more recipes from this Chef in the future.
About Turkey Ramen:
Because the Turkey Ramen (or any Ramen) is started with a long cooking stock or bone broth as it’s sometimes called, the Turkey Ramen is incredibly silky, luscious and rich and because that stock is fortified with classic Asian flavors (or in this case, classic Asian and a bit of American tossed in) it’s not just rich but aromatic. The idea might be a fresh & fun Turkey Ramen but this is serious Ramen underneath it all.
And while the broth is the essence of the Ramen, it’s the garnishes make it so much fun. I listed about a dozen to pick and choose from, so add what you like from the list, and if your favorite Ramen garnishes aren’t included feel free to add your own. We all love picking and choosing from the garnishes! That’s the best part. Any extra garnishes get tossed into the next evening’s salad.
This Turkey Ramen is started with my homemade Turkey Broth (or Chicken Broth) so it’s very quick to throw together the Ramen once that broth is done. That long-simmered broth takes a long time to make, but a store-bought turkey or chicken stock can be subbed in. The store-bought stock won’t have quite the same deep, rich flavor and body but simmering in the Asian ingredients does wonders for the flavor.
Homemade Turkey Ramen – delish!
Making Turkey Ramen:
I didn’t do much changing to the recipe but I did manage the recipe as I do with most of the soups made from Chicken or Turkey Broth. I make up my usual big pot of rich turkey stock and then divvy it up for a couple of different recipes. So that means I just took the few cups (8 cups) of stock and then simmered that portion with the Asian spices. You can do the same with homemade or storebought stock if you don’t just happen to have a turkey carcass laying around.
Because I started with the Homemade Turkey Stock, some of the ingredients from Chef Lee’s recipe aren’t added since they were already used in that initial stock. Bonus, huh, for a little quicker and a little easier.
I just used the basic package of grocery store ramen but you can use any ramen noodle you want in your Turkey Ramen, just cook according to package directions. Chef Lee said you can even use a thin spaghetti. And while I did make my Turkey Ramen with tofu, too, I think it was actually overkill, since the ramen already has turkey in it.
As for the Miso, use white or red, both are delish. Miso is fermented and keeps forever in the fridge. Months, possibly years, so don’t be afraid to buy a bottle. I use it in a few recipes so just follow the tags on the bottom of the page or use the search box on the sidebar. I didn’t sweat the daikon, either, and tossed in some radishes from my Thanksgiving relish tray instead.
Saving Money on Turkey Ramen:
The most savings on this recipe is using your homemade Turkey Stock and that’s where the best taste is. I love when cheap and fabulous intersect!
I gave options to get the smoky, porky flavor into your Ramen stock, and bacon is the cheapest. If you can’t find country ham, use a bit of regular old ham. Watch for your Asian ingredients, often unadvertised, during the Lunar New Year (it changes every year, just look it up) or shop in an Asian market; you’ll be surprised at the price differences.
The garnishes are up to you. If your making it after a holiday, rob your relish tray! The plain old mushrooms are generally less expensive than shitakes or any Asian mushroom you might find. The spaghetti will generally be less than the Ramen and parsley (grow your own) more widely available and less spendy than watercress. You might like cilantro instead.
Turkey Ramen – and thanks to my son’s lovely girlfriend for hand modeling! Thanks, Tweetie!
Turkey Ramen
- Total Time: 40 minutes plus time for stock
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Cuisine: Asian or Asian American
Ingredients
For the Ramen Broth:
- 8 cups good turkey (or chicken) broth or stock – see recipe
- 4–5 radishes, roughly chopped or a 6-inch piece of daikon, roughly chopped
- a small piece (2 to 3 ounces) country ham, a few slices of prosciutto, or 1 piece of bacon, chopped, optional
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1” knob of ginger, roughly chopped
For the Ramen Soup:
- The stock from above (add a little water if necessary to compensate for the simmering time)
- 2 tablespoons red miso
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
- A few dashes of hot sauce
- 12 ounces ramen noodles (from 4 packages ramen soup. flavoring packets discarded) or thin spaghettini
For the garnishes, choose as desired or add your favorites:
- 1 package firm tofu, drained and diced
- 6 ounces shiitake (or preferred) mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 3 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 small jalapeno or other pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 bunch fresh watercress, parsley or cilantro (thin stems and leaves only)
- 2 cups pulled cooked turkey or chicken (from the carcass used for stock)
- I lime, quartered
- 2 to 4 eggs, cooked as desired, recipe below, or make Ramen Eggs
Instructions
For the Ramen Broth:
Add all ingredients to a large saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes. Strain and place the stock back in the pan. If you’ve used ham or prosciutto, you can chop and add back to the stock. The bacon is not so attractive and is best not added back in.
For the Ramen Soup:
Add all ingredients but the noodles to the stock, bring to a boil. Add noodles and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until tender.
Divide noodles and broth between four bowls. Add garnishes as desired and serve.
Soft Boiled Eggs:
Bring enough water to cover eggs by about two inches in a medium-sized saucepan to a boil. Add eggs and immediately lower to a simmer. Cook for the length of time desired, below.
Timing for eggs; timing may vary depending on how high you are above sea level.
- For eggs that are custardy and soft, but not runny, cook 8 minutes.
- For eggs that are creamy with just a little liquidy yolk in the center, 7 minutes.
- For runny eggs, 6 to 6 1/2 minutes.
Remove eggs and immediately plunge into a generous bowl of ice water. Leave for three minutes then peel and slice in half.
Keywords: 610 magnolia, Asian, Avocado, Bargain Meal of the Week, Bon Appetit, chef edward lee, Chicken Stock, daikon, Eggs, Hot Peppers, Jalapeno, Japanese, leftover Chicken, leftover turkey, Leftovers, Lime, miso paste, mushrooms, noodles, radish, ramen, Soup, spaghetti, Tofu, Turkey
________________________________________
Today I’ll be sharing this recipe at our very own Throwback Thursday Link Party. You might want to bookmark this special two-week extravaganza – they’re all lots of links to both Thanksgiving & Thanksgiving leftovers, Thanksgiving Crafts & Holiday Decorating.
I’ll also be sharing at Fiesta Friday, hosted this week by Julianna @ Foodie On Board and Hilda @ Along The Grapevine, and Saucy Saturdays. Saucy Saturdays are hosted by four incredible bloggers: Dina, Jennifer, Christine & Swayum.
Helpful Links
If you came to this recipe looking for a way to use leftover turkey or chicken, be sure to check out the link below for 12 Days of Turkey. You might want to see the sister post for 12 Days of Ham, too.
Pingback: Turkey Ramen | My Meals are on Wheels