Cheap Microwave Ramen With Canned Diced Beets

Craving ramen but bored of the same old packet? We’re transforming basic instant noodles into a vibrant, budget-friendly meal with one quirky twist: canned diced beets for color, nutrients, and sweet-earthy flavor.

Best part? This entire dish cooks in your microwave in under 3 minutes and costs less than $2 per serving. Yes, ramen just leveled up.

We’ll cover how beets boost your noodles, share pro tips to avoid mushy disasters, and reveal creative add-ins for next-level microwave magic.

Why Use Canned Diced Beets in Microwave Ramen?

Let me tell you about the time my aunt Clarice showed up to our family holiday party with a neon-pink ramen dish. We thought she’d lost her mind – until we tasted it. Canned diced beets became our secret weapon for three reasons:

• Instant vibrancy: No peeling, roasting, or staining your cutting board. They’re pre-cooked and ready to tint your broth electric magenta in seconds.
• Nutrition boost: Beets pack fiber, folate, and manganese – a nutrient trio that basic ramen desperately needs.
• Sweetness balance: Their natural sugar cuts through salty seasoning packets like a tangy-sweet ninja.

Plus, at $0.89 per can versus $3.50 for fresh beets? Our wallets cheer louder than Aunt Clarice’s karaoke rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock.”

What Does Beet-infused Ramen Taste Like?

Imagine your standard savory ramen broth getting an earthy-sweet sidekick. The beets add depth without overpowering – think gentle soil notes (in the best way!) mingling with umami-rich flavors, especially when combined with canned chicken for a lazy microwave meal.

Texture matters too. Canned beets retain a slight firmness when microwaved briefly, creating a pleasant contrast against soft noodles. That tangy liquid in the can? It’s free flavor gold – we stir a teaspoon into the broth for extra zing. This simple addition pairs well with lazy microwave meals like boxed mac and cheese, making for a quick yet satisfying dish. With just a few canned diced beets, you elevate a classic comfort food into something a little more exciting.

Aunt Clarice’s holiday party guests initially balked at “pink noodles.” Ten minutes later, they were scraping their bowls clean. The combo works like mismatched socks – surprisingly delightful once you try it.

Ready to raid your pantry? Let’s break down exactly what you’ll need…

Ingredients for Cheap Microwave Ramen With Canned Diced Beets

Grab these staples from your pantry or local dollar store. Our base recipe costs $1.78 per serving based on Walmart prices – cheaper than vending machine snacks! For an easy and budget-friendly addition to your meals, consider cheap microwave instant couscous veggies. They make for a quick and nutritious option that pairs well with many dishes.

• 1 package instant ramen (discard or reduce seasoning packet to control sodium)
• ½ cup canned diced beets (liquid reserved)
• 1¼ cups water
• Optional upgrades: fried garlic chips, sesame seeds, sriracha

My college roommate once substituted pickled jalapeño juice for water. We don’t recommend that particular “creativity.” If you’re looking for a tasty twist, consider microwave jalapeños as a fun and quick snack. They can add a flavorful kick to many dishes without the mess of pickling.

Ramen Noodle Alternatives

Microwave-friendly swaps exist if you’re gluten-free or craving variety. Rice noodles work beautifully – soak in hot water for 3 minutes post-microwave. Zucchini zoodles stay crisp; microwave them 1 minute before adding beets. Incorporating zucchini into recipes is a great way to enjoy healthy meals while saving time. A simple microwave zucchini recipe can help you create a delicious dish in just minutes.

Avoid egg noodles – they turn gummy without constant stirring. Instant pho noodles? Surprisingly compatible! Their flat shape traps beet juice like flavor sponges. For a quick meal, I often cook egg noodles in the microwave, making them easy to prepare when time is short.

Beet Substitutes and Add-in Variations

No canned beets? Pickled red cabbage adds similar color and tang (use ⅓ cup). Frozen diced carrots microwave in 90 seconds – their sweetness mirrors beets’ profile. Adding a touch of honey and sriracha to those microwaved carrots can create a delightful twist. Quick microwave honey sriracha carrots serve as a great side dish that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.

Boost protein with budget stars:

• Canned chickpeas: 2 tablespoons, rinsed
• Peanut butter: 1 teaspoon swirled into broth
• Fried egg: Cook separately, then plop on top

Also See: Quick & Easy Microwave Mango Coconut Mug Cake Recipe

How to Make Cheap Microwave Ramen With Canned Diced Beets

We’ve all nuked noodles into rubbery oblivion. Follow these steps to avoid culinary tragedy.

Step-by-step Microwaving Instructions

1. Prep your mug: Break ramen into quarters in a 16-oz microwave-safe bowl. Skip the flavor packet.
2. Add liquids: Pour in water and 1 tbsp beet juice from the can. Stir gently.
3. First zap: Microwave 1 minute 30 seconds on high (1100W). Noodles should be 80% tender.
4. Beet time: Stir in diced beets. Microwave 30-45 seconds more.

Total cook time: 2 minutes 15 seconds. Your microwave wattage matters – ours is 1100W. Adjust ±15 seconds per 100W difference.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor

Drain those beets: Pat them dry with paper towels to prevent pink swamp broth. Aunt Clarice learned this after her “beet tsunami” incident of 2019. When preparing beets, cooking them in the microwave can be a quick and convenient option. It allows you to enjoy tender, flavorful beets without the extra time spent boiling.

Boost umami without cost:

• 1 tsp miso paste ($0.10/serving)
• ½ tsp fish sauce (adds depth, not fishiness)
• Pinch of MSG (don’t @ me – it works)

Also See: Cheap Microwave Canned Soup With Instant Polenta

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

We’ve cried over mushy beets and salt-bomb broths so you don’t have to.

Avoiding Soggy Noodles or Overcooked Beets

Timing is everything: Add beets only during the last 45 seconds. Their pigments bleed quickly, and overcooking turns them into sad pink mush.

If your noodles still feel stiff, microwave in 15-second bursts. Three extra zaps can mean the difference between al dente and alien tentacles.

Seasoning Adjustments

Beet broth naturally sweet. Counterbalance with:

• Acid: ½ tsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
• Heat: 5 drops chili oil or dash of black pepper
• Salt: Start with ¼ seasoning packet, taste, then add

Leftovers happen (rarely, but they do). Let’s explore storage hacks to keep your neon noodles food-safe. However, it’s important to consider how you reheat them. Never microwave leftover pasta, as it can lead to uneven heating and alter its texture, making it less enjoyable to eat.

Now It’s Your Turn to Try!

We’ve covered everything from beet-infused flavor profiles to avoiding soggy noodles—now all that’s left is for you to grab those canned beets and instant ramen. This quirky combo delivers a surprising depth of earthy sweetness with minimal effort.

Got creative variations or microwave hacks? We’d love to hear how your beet ramen experiment turns out! Just remember: 90-second microwaving intervals are your friend for perfect texture.