Japanese Hamburger Dish

Browned ground beef simmered with ramen noodles, Japanese-style frozen vegetables, and soy sauce, finished with butter-toasted almonds on top. This one-skillet dinner has a retro, American-meets-Japanese vibe that delivers a lot of flavor for very little effort.

Toast the slivered almonds in butter first and set them aside. They brown fast and burn faster, so watch them closely. The same butter and fond left in the skillet goes to work browning the beef, building a savory base before the liquid goes in.

The noodles and vegetables cook right in the skillet with the beef. Two minutes for the noodles to soften, then add the frozen vegetables and simmer for three more. Everything finishes together in one pan with a splash of soy sauce stirred in at the end.

Kitchen Tips

• Remove the toasted almonds before browning the beef. They’ll burn if left in the pan during the longer cooking.
• Break apart the frozen vegetables with a fork as they cook so they heat evenly.
• Use light soy sauce for seasoning without overpowering the dish. Regular soy sauce works but use less.
• Don’t overcook the noodles. They should be tender but still have some chew.

Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
• Add a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds at the end for a nuttier flavor.
• Stir in sriracha or chili garlic sauce for heat.