Shelter in Place Plan

Ramen Upgrade

Instant noodles made into a fuller meal with canned chicken and vegetables. About 10 minutes on an outdoor stove.

  • Serves 2 servings
  • Time 10 min
  • Heat Outdoor stove
A bowl of noodles with chicken, peas and carrots beside a pot on a camp stove

Instant noodles cook faster than almost anything else in the pantry. On their own they are mostly carbohydrate, so this adds a can of protein and a can of vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (750 mL) safe drinking water, or as the package says
  • 2 packages (3 oz / 85 g each) instant ramen noodles
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) peas and carrots or mixed vegetables, drained
  • 1 can (5 oz / 142 g) chunk chicken, drained
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) peanut butter, optional
  • soy sauce or hot sauce, to taste, optional

Equipment

  • Camp stove or barbecue side burner, outdoors only
  • Medium pot with a lid
  • Manual can opener
  • Fork or tongs

Fuel used

About 5 to 8 minutes on one burner. Less water boils faster and gives a thicker broth.

Steps

  1. Set the stove up outdoors on a flat, stable surface, at least 20 feet (6 m) from doors, windows and vents.
  2. Check the cans, wipe the lids and open them. Drain the vegetables and chicken.
  3. Bring the water to a boil with the lid on.
  4. Add the noodles and cook as the package says, usually about 3 minutes, stirring to separate them.
  5. Stir in the vegetables, chicken and as much of the seasoning packet as you like. Heat until steaming.
  6. Turn the stove off. Stir in the peanut butter if using. Let bowls cool a little before handing them to children.

Swaps from the pantry

  • Canned tuna or salmon instead of chicken.
  • Canned corn, spinach or bean sprouts instead of peas and carrots.
  • Rice noodles for a wheat-free version.
  • Using half the seasoning packet keeps the salt down.

Allergens

  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Peanuts

Wheat in the noodles. Seasoning packets often contain soy and sometimes milk or fish; check the packet. Peanuts only if you add peanut butter.

Ingredients vary by brand, so read every label for your household's allergies.

Food safety

  • Check every can before you open it. Do not use food from cans that are leaking, bulging or badly dented, or that have a deep dent on a seam.
  • Once opened, eat it within 2 hours, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F (32°C). If your fridge is working and at or below 40°F (4°C), put leftovers in a covered container and refrigerate them. If not, throw leftovers out. See food safety when the fridge fails.
  • Use safe drinking water for everything here, and especially for water that is not cooked: bottled, or boiled or treated as in treating water.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. Do not taste food to test it.

Where to buy

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  • Canned beans, tuna, chicken or stew

    Canned chunk chicken breast, multi-pack

    Fully cooked and ready to eat from the can; USDA FSIS lists canned meat and poultry at 2 to 5 years.

    Check prices and optionsat Amazon.comCheck prices and optionsat Amazon.ca

  • Camp stove, outdoor use only

    Coleman: Coleman Classic 2-Burner Propane Camp Stove

    A two-burner propane stove for cooking through an outage; use it outdoors only, never indoors or in a garage, because it produces carbon monoxide.

    Check prices and optionsat Amazon.comCheck prices and optionsat Amazon.ca

  • Battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm

    Kidde: Kidde KN-COB-B-LP Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Battery Operated

    Kidde lists it as UL Listed with an electrochemical sensor, and it runs on 3 AA batteries so it keeps working in a power outage.

    Check prices and optionsat Amazon.comCanadian link coming soon

  • Battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm

    Kidde: Kidde C3010 Worry-Free Carbon Monoxide Alarm, 10-Year Sealed Battery

    Kidde lists its Canadian C3010-CA as CSA Listed with an electrochemical sensor and a sealed lithium battery, so it keeps working in an outage; check the listing shows the CSA mark before buying.

    US link coming soonCheck prices and optionsat Amazon.ca

Sources

Updated