Ramen in the Prep Stash, Yay or Nay?

[halfclickwest]

So, I've been thinking about whether to keep ramen in my prep stash. I mean, it's cheap and fills you up, but I know it's not the most nutrient-dense option out there. I've got a few cases tucked away, but how long can I really count on them past the expiration date? Also, what's the best way to store them? Just leaving them in the box doesn't feel right. Do y'all rotate your ramen regularly, or have any tricks to spice it up for long-term use? Seems like they last longer than what the label says.

 

[Morgan101]

So, I've been thinking about whether to keep ramen in my prep stash. I mean, it's cheap and fills you up, but I know it's not the most nutrient-dense option out there. I've got a few cases tucked away, but how long can I really count on them past the expiration date? Also, what's the best way to store them? Just leaving them in the box doesn't feel right. Do y'all rotate your ramen regularly, or have any tricks to spice it up for long-term use? Seems like they last longer than what the label says.

Ramen is definitely part of our long term larder, and we keep the boxes in the freezer. JMHO, but I doubt it will ever go bad when it has so much salt in it. You would be hard pressed to find anything cheaper, so you can get a significant amount of food and not break the bank.

As you said, I would consider it a filler, or additive. Mix it with a can of stew or chili and feed the family.

 

[TriumphMan]

I keep a cases around for a nice, different snack or meal. You can doll them up with some canned mushrooms and Chinese vegtables from a can for a really filling elite redneck dining pleasure. But, to make sure they last and don't go stale, you need to remove from the box and take a couple/three or four and vacuum seal them to keep flavor.

 

[Morgan101]

You can add many things to them to make a larger meal. I have added shrimp, tuna fish, and eggs to name a few. Douse it with soy sauce, and it turns out pretty good.

 

[Edmund]

The instant ramen noodles are fried, and they will go stale after a while...maybe 6-12 months...possibly last as long as 18 months. I just checked, and the kind we buy (rarely) has 17 grams of fat in it. I used to eat a lot of ramen, thinking it was just noodles, how bad could it be, but I started gaining weight.

So, you will have to rotate through it. The salt won't help, because it is not in the noodles, so it doesn't protect them from spoilage. The salt is in a packet.

For "preps," I suppose if you freeze it, you might be ok. But I don't have freezer space for ramen. I'd rather spend freezer space on things like meats.

Personally, I would look for something that lasts longer sitting on a shelf (cool, dark shelf, obviously). You might be better off with ordinary pasta noodles in a sealed container with an oxygen absorber...but I don't know, as I haven't done that.

 

[Edmund]

You can add many things to them to make a larger meal. I have added shrimp, tuna fish, and eggs to name a few. Douse it with soy sauce, and it turns out pretty good.

Yes, I used to add canned vegetables to it. Also, a little sriracha or other hot sauce (with maybe half the seasoning packet that comes with it, to keep my salt intake down). Easy and tastes good. But, probably not the healthiest food.