13 Uses For Your Leftover Ramen Seasoning Packets

Ramen noodles are quick and easy to prepare, making them a staple in many homes, workplaces, and, of course, college dorm rooms. All you need to do is bring a pot of water to boil on the stovetop, dump in the included flavor packet, and cook the noodles in the seasoned water until they're tender. Sometimes, you'll find the noodles come with an extra seasoning packet, or maybe you're looking to cook the plain noodles to serve as a side dish. In cases such as these, make sure you save the seasoning packet instead of tossing it in the trash can.

There are several other ways to put the foil-wrapped seasoning packet to use that don't involve combining it with ramen noodles. From seasoning meat, jazzing up frozen french fries, or even making a unique compound butter, you'll find the uses for these packets are nearly endless — and will always elevate the dish you're applying the seasoning to. Here's 13 delicious uses for that leftover ramen seasoning packet. 

If you like the flavor the seasoning packet adds to your bowl of ramen noodles, don't you think it could also enhance the taste of a salad? Making your own salad dressing with a packet of ramen noodles is the ideal way to experience this upgraded flavor. And, it's easier than you might think to make salad dressing using ramen seasoning.

The first thing you need to do is decide whether you prefer balsamic style or creamier dressings. To make a balsamic-style dressing, you'll only need three ingredients: the seasoning packet, oil, and vinegar. Combine equal parts oil and vinegar, sprinkle in a few shakes of the packet, mix and enjoy. For a creamier option, try combining equal parts buttermilk and mayonnaise, then mix in some of the seasoning packet. This will create a dressing with a similar consistency to ranch dressing. But, instead of the traditional dill, chives, and parsley, it'll have that delicious ramen flavor.

If you're tired of the same old plain rice as a side dish, you can easily spice things up (literally) with a ramen seasoning packet. The rice will pick up those same flavors that you enjoy so much with your bowl of ramen, making the entire meal all the more enjoyable. Keep in mind that each seasoning packet will impart a unique flavor to the rice. Consider which meats and other sides will best complement this flavor. For example, seasoning rice with a packet from beef ramen might not go well with grilled scallops or shrimp, but a chicken or shrimp ramen seasoning packet could present the perfect pairing.

Making seasoned rice with a ramen packet is simple. Add the seasoning packet to the water at the same time you pour in the uncooked rice. This way, the flavor will be more evenly infused into the grains. If you wait to stir the seasoning in until after the rice is cooked, it might not be as evenly distributed, and you could end up with some over- or under-seasoned bites.

Why buy a container of dip when you can make your own. With a packet of ramen seasoning and a few other key ingredients, whipping up the perfect accompaniment for chips, veggies, and more is a breeze. If you've ever made a ranch-flavored dip, then the steps for making a ramen-flavored one should sound familiar.

Start with equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream (½ cup to 1 cup of each, depending on how much dip you want to make). Then, mix in a few teaspoons of the seasoning. The more you add, the stronger the flavor. However, your dip will also have a saltier taste when you use a lot of the seasoning, so start small and taste as you go. For a slightly healthier option, consider using Greek yogurt as the base for the dip instead of mayonnaise and sour cream. Once your dip is made, eat it right away or save it in the fridge for up to four days.

Even if boxed mac and cheese is as much of a staple in your house as ramen noodle packets, it can still get boring eating the same thing over and over again. Fortunately, you don't have to get the Blue Box blues. Instead, you can spice things up a bit and make that ooey and gooey cheesiness even better.

Cook the pasta according to the directions. Then, when you're making the roux for the cheese sauce with milk, butter, and the cheese packet, add the ramen seasoning to the mix as well. You can include the whole packet for a stronger flavor, or opt to mix in about half for a more subtle taste. Then, mix in the cooked pasta, and dig in. In the same way that adding some canned tomato soup to mac and cheese completely transforms the dish into something new and exciting, this hack is certain to tickle your taste buds — whether you used chicken or beef ramen seasoning — as the flavors combine with the creaminess and cheesiness of the mac.

Whether you make yourself popcorn on a regular basis or save this delicious treat for a snack when watching a movie on the couch, you want to enjoy it. Buttery popcorn is good, but it just isn't that exciting, and sometimes you're craving something a bit more savory. You could purchase a popcorn seasoning online or from your local grocery store, but why spend money when the solution you're looking for is in your pantry.

Try sprinkling some ramen seasoning atop your popcorn, and thank us later. The combination of the herbs and seasonings in the packet will offer the perfect complement for the buttery and salty popcorn in your bowl. Be careful not to add too much seasoning to those popped kernels. Because of the higher salt content in both the seasoning and popcorn, it will probably take less than you think to noticeably impact the flavor. Plus, you can always sprinkle a little more if it isn't seasoned to your liking. If you're making popcorn on the stovetop, you could mix the seasoning in with the melted butter before pouring it over the hot, popped kernels. This can lead to a better distribution of flavors.

You can use ramen packets to season practically anything in your fridge or pantry. As you're exploring their potential uses, think about how their flavor could enhance the things you cook most frequently. And, if you're like many, you probably cook meat several times a week. Whether you're making burgers, chicken legs, or pork chops, ramen seasoning holds great potential.

The type of meat you're seasoning and how you plan to cook it will dictate precisely how you'll want to use the ramen seasoning packets. For example, when you're cooking burgers, it's best to season them just before grilling. Seasoning too early, particularly with something salty like ramen seasoning, may end up pulling out too much moisture from the meat leaving it overly dry when you cook it. On the other hand, if you're making pork chops or chicken, you might want to season them 30 minutes to several hours before you plan to cook them. This can help tenderize the meat and infuse the flavor.

One way to use ramen seasoning is in a favorite soup recipe — it'll kick the flavor up a notch. You can add the seasoning to broth-based and creamy soups. For example, if you're making your favorite chicken noodle soup, sprinkle one of the packets of chicken ramen seasoning for a more savory meal that has a hint of that beloved ramen flavoring. Try adding a packet of beef ramen seasoning the next time you make cream of potato soup or cheddar broccoli soup. You can even upgrade a can of store-bought soup with a packet of the seasoning. Sprinkle some of the seasoning into the soup before heating it on the stove or in the microwave to give it some extra flavor and umami. 

Canned soups that could benefit from this extra seasoning include cream of chicken, beef and vegetable, or even clam chowder. Beyond upgrading the flavor of canned soup or your favorite home-cooked recipe, ramen seasoning can be used to make a quick, no-fuss broth for a simple soup. Use a few packets in place of other seasonings — or if you didn't realize you were out of chicken broth — and dinner can be done in a few minutes. After mixing the seasoning with the water, bring it to a boil, and drop in a few chicken breasts or thighs. Cook them directly in the boiling water and shred them after they're done. Put the shredded chicken back in along with a few sautéed veggies — and voila! Dinner is done.

French fries are a versatile side dish. They're hot, crispy, and delicious. If you serve them alongside your meals frequently — even if they come from a bag in the freezer — you can make them taste even better with the help of some ramen seasoning. If you think about it, ramen seasoning is ideal for french fries. It's nice and salty (a must for the best fries) and can quickly transform fries into a more sophisticated side dish, helping you change up your menu a bit and keep dinner guests (or hungry children) begging for more.

As with many other uses for those ramen seasoning packets, now is the time to practice self-control. Even if you really enjoy the flavor of ramen, you probably won't want to dump the whole packet over your plate of fries. A little of the seasoning goes a long way. So, start by sprinkling a tad over the fries. Then, give them a quick taste test and add a few more shakes from the packet if you think they need it.

If you're looking for a more unique fried chicken recipe, then you've just found another way to put those packets of ramen seasoning to good use. The next time you're making your own fried chicken — even air fryer fried chicken — you only need to make one slight modification to the recipe you usually use. Instead of adding the traditional paprika, salt, and pepper into the flour before using it to coat the chicken, stir in a packet of ramen seasoning. Mixing the seasoning into the flour will ensure the flavor is evenly distributed over each piece of chicken. Sprinkling ramen seasoning over the chicken after you cook it also works. 

And ramen seasoning can be added to take home chicken from a restaurant or fast food joint. If you try this, be aware the taste may be more intense, particularly in restaurant chicken that's already lip-smacking with flavor — so shake ramen seasoning gently, perhaps adding as you go.  

Garlic bread is the quintessential Italian side dish. It's buttery and garlicky flavor goes so well with everything from spaghetti, to lasagna, to chicken Alfredo. The next time you're craving some garlic bread to go with your favorite pasta dish, consider using some ramen seasoning in place of the garlic. Like garlic, ramen seasoning packs a bit of a punch. It also has a very fragrant aroma, which is part of the whole garlic bread experience.

Garlic bread is simple to make — and ramen bread is no different. All you need to do is soften butter and mix some (or all) of the seasoning packet in with it. Then, spread the mixture over the sliced bread (don't be afraid to use a lot — garlic bread isn't very exciting if it isn't super buttery). Finally, cook the "garlic" bread in the air fryer or toast it in the oven for a few minutes until it's hot and crispy.

The next time you're planning a dinner party or are asked to bring deviled eggs to a picnic or barbecue, surprise your friends and family by giving them a more unique flavor. Because ramen seasoning is one of those ingredients that can make your deviled eggs so much better. The ramen will give the eggs a bit of a stronger flavor with just the right amount of kick.

One way to use ramen seasoning when making your deviled eggs is to simply sprinkle it over a standard recipe in place of the more traditional paprika. Depending on how much you use, this option may deliver a more subtle flavor difference, or it might be more noticeable. Another option is to add the seasoning packet into the ingredient mix when you're combining the egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, celery, and any other favorite additions — this approach will deliver a more consistent flavor through each bite since the seasoning won't be sprinkled on top of the eggs. It will also "hide" the seasoning, leaving it as a tasty surprise to each person who takes a bite.

We're always looking for ways to make pizza taste better. But, most of those ways focus on trying different types of cheese, adding more cheese, or experimenting with new and exciting toppings. We often overlook the crust itself, which truly is one of the most important parts of the whole pie. Without it, there would be no base for the sauce, cheese, and toppings. There also wouldn't be anything to deliver that perfect crunch you get with each bite.

If you want to make a homemade pizza crust more exciting and bring it to center stage, then that packet of ramen seasoning is just screaming to be used. After dissolving the yeast, add the packet of ramen with the bread flour and other ingredients before beating them. Once the dough has risen, unroll the crust and add your favorite toppings before baking the pizza in a cast iron skillet. You can always opt for a more traditional tomato sauce and cheese pizza. But, if you really want to play off of the flavor of the ramen seasoning, consider trying something a little different. If you used chicken ramen, try making an alfredo pizza with alfredo sauce, cheese, and grilled chicken. If you used beef ramen, why not experiment with a barbecue beef pizza topped with barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, seasoned ground beef, and crispy bacon? If you manage to save a few slices for later, be sure to reheat the pizza in the air fryer to keep it crispy and delicious.

If you haven't been making your own compound butter, then you've been missing out. Compound butter is just like regular butter, only better. Instead of plain butter, it's infused with a variety of seasonings, spices, or other ingredients. You can use compound butter in place of the regular stuff when cooking, spread it over bread, smear it on a piece of meat before cooking it in the oven or on the stove top ... and so much more.

Traditional compound butter recipes often call for garlic, rosemary, thyme, and other herbs and spices. Instead of following tradition, try something more unique and mix in part of a ramen seasoning packet with a stick of butter. Ideally, you'll want to soften the butter ahead of time. However, if you forgot to pull it out of the fridge, you can also use a rolling pin to soften butter in a pinch. After mixing the ramen seasoning in with the butter, store it in the fridge for a few days and discover how many different uses there are for it. You can even spread the softened butter into silicone molds — such as the La Chat Silicone Molds — to create a little something special for the plate of each guest at your next dinner party.