This Whole30 Tonkotsu Ramen is a health-conscious yet indulgent twist on the classic Japanese dish, perfect for those following a Whole30 diet or simply seeking a flavorful, dairy-free alternative. Featuring tender, seared pork shoulder simmered to perfection in a rich, savory broth, this recipe achieves its creamy tonkotsu-style base using steamed cauliflower blended with unsweetened coconut milk. Zucchini noodles replace traditional ramen, offering a low-carb, gluten-free option that pairs beautifully with the umami-packed broth infused with nutritional yeast and coconut aminos. Topped with vibrant garnishes like green onions, soft-boiled eggs, sesame seeds, and nori, this dish is a culinary delight that's full of comfort and flavor while staying totally Whole30-compliant. Ready in just three hours, it's a wholesome and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion!
Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee or olive oil.
Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until nicely browned, about 2β3 minutes per side. Remove the pork and set it aside.
In the same pot, add the garlic, ginger, and shallots, sautΓ©ing until aromatic and lightly browned, about 2β3 minutes.
Add the chicken bone broth to the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the seared pork back in.
Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 2β3 hours until the pork is tender and easily shred with a fork.
While the pork simmers, prepare the cauliflower cream. Steam the head of cauliflower until tender, about 8β10 minutes. Blend the steamed cauliflower with 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk until smooth and creamy.
Once the pork has finished cooking, remove it from the pot and shred it with two forks.
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding the solids. Return the strained broth to the pot over medium heat.
Stir in the cauliflower cream, nutritional yeast, coconut aminos, sea salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler, create zucchini noodles (zoodles) from the zucchini. Set aside.
To assemble, divide the zucchini noodles into bowls. Top each bowl with shredded pork and ladle the creamy broth over it.
Garnish with sliced green onions, soft-boiled eggs (if using), sesame seeds, and nori sheets as desired.
Serve hot and enjoy your Whole30-compliant Tonkotsu ramen!
Calories |
2836 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 199.0 g | 255% | |
| Saturated Fat | 107.3 g | 536% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 807 mg | 269% | |
| Sodium | 8382 mg | 364% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 109.6 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.0 g | 100% | |
| Total Sugars | 61.2 g | ||
| Protein | 179.1 g | 358% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 510 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 23.4 mg | 130% | |
| Potassium | 6263 mg | 133% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.