Last Tuesday after basketball practice, Emma asked for "something really filling but not heavy" since he had homework and didn't want to feel sluggish. I'd been seeing egg roll in a bowl recipes everywhere claiming they delivered takeout flavors in minutes without carbs. Twenty minutes later, we had a skillet full of savory ground pork and cabbage that tasted exactly like egg roll filling, and Emma ate two huge servings before declaring it his new favorite dinner.The deconstructed egg roll combined with Asian-inspired seasonings creates the most satisfying low-carb egg roll in a bowl that delivers authentic takeout taste without the wrapper.
Why You'll Love This Egg Roll In A Bowl
This healthy egg roll in a bowl has rescued countless weeknight dinners when I needed something substantial and satisfying that wouldn't derail Emma's athletic nutrition goals or leave him hungry an hour later reaching for snacks to fill the void. The skillet egg roll in a bowl format means everything cooks in one pan in literally twenty minutes from start to finish, creating minimal dishes and zero complicated timing coordination that makes weeknight cooking feel overwhelming when you're already tired. I love that this egg roll bowl recipe uses simple, recognizable ingredients – ground meat, coleslaw mix, soy sauce, ginger.
What really wins me over is how this egg roll without wrapper concept proves you don't need fried dough to enjoy egg roll flavors, and that often the filling is the best part anyway with the wrapper just being a delivery vehicle you could happily skip. This high-protein skillet meal works for literally every dietary preference – naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, Whole30, paleo, low-carb – making it the rare dish that satisfies everyone at mixed gatherings where people have different nutritional needs and restrictions.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Ingredients You'll Need For Egg Roll In A Bowl
- How To Make Egg Roll in a Bowl Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Egg Roll In A Bowl Variations
- Equipment For Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Storing Your Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Top Tip
- How My Sister's Kitchen Became Our Family's Heart
- FAQ
- Healthy, Quick, Delicious!
- Related
- Pairing
- Egg Roll In A Bowl
Ingredients You'll Need For Egg Roll In A Bowl
For the Bowl:
- 1 pound ground pork (or turkey, chicken, beef)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bag (14 oz) coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas
- Water chestnuts for crunch
- Bamboo shoots
For Serving:
- Cauliflower rice or regular rice
- Sesame seeds
- Extra green onions
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- Fried egg on top
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Egg Roll in a Bowl Step By Step
Brown the Meat:
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add sesame oil. When the oil is shimmering and hot, add ground pork (or your chosen protein) and break it up into small crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is completely browned with no pink remaining and has developed some crispy, caramelized bits that add texture and flavor. Don't stir constantly or the meat will steam instead of brown – let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two between stirs to develop proper browning.
Add Aromatics:
Push the browned meat to the edges of the pan, creating a well in the center. Add minced ginger and garlic to the center and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant and sizzling – the brief direct heat contact blooms their flavors without burning. Stir the aromatics into the meat, coating everything evenly with the ginger-garlic mixture that forms the flavor foundation of this dish. The ginger provides that distinctive egg roll taste while garlic adds savory depth.
Cook the Vegetables:
Add the entire bag of coleslaw mix to the skillet along with any additional vegetables you're using like bell peppers or mushrooms. Stir everything together, coating the vegetables with the seasoned meat and aromatics. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cabbage wilts and softens but still retains some crunch – overcooked cabbage becomes watery and mushy with unpleasant texture. The volume will reduce dramatically as the cabbage cooks down, which is completely normal.
Season and Finish:
Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha (if using) to the skillet, stirring to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly, creating glazed coating rather than soupy mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce, vinegar, or sriracha based on your preferences – some people like it saltier, others prefer more tang or heat. Add sliced green onions and stir once or twice to incorporate.
Serve Immediately:
Remove from heat and divide into bowls. Top with sesame seeds, extra green onions, and a fried egg if desired – the runny yolk mixing with the savory vegetables and meat is incredible. Serve as is for low-carb option, or over cauliflower rice for extra volume, or over regular rice if you're not worried about carbs. This egg roll filling bowl tastes best fresh and hot, though leftovers reheat well for meal prep throughout the week.
Smart Swaps for Your Egg Roll in a Bowl
Different Proteins:
- Ground turkey → Pork (egg roll in a bowl turkey, leaner)
- Ground chicken → Pork (lighter, milder)
- Ground beef → Pork (hamburger egg roll in a bowl)
- Crumbled tofu → Meat (egg roll in a bowl vegetarian)
Vegetable Options:
- Fresh shredded cabbage → Coleslaw mix (fresher)
- Broccoli slaw → Coleslaw mix (different texture)
- Spiralized vegetables → Cabbage (varied)
- Extra mushrooms → Standard veggies (umami boost)
Sauce Variations:
- Hoisin sauce → Plain (sweeter, richer)
- Coconut aminos → Soy sauce (paleo, less sodium)
- Tamari → Soy sauce (gluten-free)
- Liquid aminos → Soy sauce (different flavor)
Egg Roll In A Bowl Variations
Chicken Egg Roll:
- Use ground chicken
- Chicken egg roll in a bowl style
- Lighter, leaner
- Budget-friendly
Spicy Korean:
- Gochujang paste in sauce
- Kimchi on top
- Korean-inspired
- Heat lovers dream
Thai Basil:
- Fresh basil and mint
- Fish sauce instead of soy
- Lime juice
- Southeast Asian twist
Teriyaki Style:
- Teriyaki sauce instead of soy
- Pineapple chunks
- Sweet and savory
- Kid-friendly
Equipment For Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Large skillet or wok
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Sharp knife for chopping
- Cutting board
- Serving bowls
Storing Your Egg Roll in a Bowl
Room Temperature (2 hours max):
- Don't leave out longer
- Bacteria grows quickly
- Refrigerate promptly
- Food safety important
Refrigerator (4-5 days):
- Store in airtight containers
- Perfect for meal prep
- Reheat in microwave or skillet
- Add fresh toppings when serving
Freezer (3 months):
- Great make-ahead
- Portion into containers
- Thaw overnight in fridge
- Texture stays good
Top Tip
- Don't overcook the cabbage or it becomes watery and mushy – cook just until wilted but still slightly crunchy for best texture. Use high heat and don't stir constantly when browning the meat so it develops caramelized bits rather than steaming. Prep all ingredients before starting because once you begin cooking, everything moves quickly and you won't have time to stop and chop. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end since soy sauce brands vary in saltiness and you might need more or less depending on your brand and preference.
How My Sister's Kitchen Became Our Family's Heart
My older sister has been making egg roll in a bowl every single Sunday evening for her family for nearly eight years, and gradually over those years, Sunday dinners at her house transformed from just her immediate family eating together into the weekly gathering place where our entire extended family somehow always ended up appearing around six o'clock, drawn by the incredible smells coming from her kitchen and the warm, welcoming atmosphere she'd created without any formal invitations or expectations that people show up.
What started as casual visits – dropping by to return borrowed items, stopping to say hello after being in the neighborhood, bringing over something we'd picked up at the store – somehow always happened on Sunday evenings and always resulted in her adding another place setting at the table and scooping another portion of egg roll bowl onto someone's plate with the easy generosity that made everyone feel welcome and wanted rather than like an imposition or unexpected burden on someone already cooking for their own family.
FAQ
What are the ingredients for egg roll in a bowl?
The basic ingredients are: ground pork (or turkey, chicken, beef), coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots), fresh ginger, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Optional additions include sriracha for heat, various vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, and toppings like sesame seeds or fried eggs. The dish is essentially deconstructed egg roll filling without the wrapper, making it naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
What is the best meat for egg roll in a bowl?
Ground pork is traditional and most authentic to actual egg rolls, providing rich flavor and proper fat content for juicy results. Ground turkey is the leanest option, perfect for those watching fat intake. Ground chicken offers mild flavor that works well. Ground beef (hamburger egg roll in a bowl) creates heartier, more American-Chinese takeout style. For vegetarian versions, use crumbled tofu or tempeh. The best choice depends on your dietary preferences and what you have available.
What exactly is egg roll in a bowl?
Egg roll in a bowl is a deconstructed egg roll – all the savory filling (ground meat, shredded cabbage, carrots, ginger, garlic, soy sauce) served in a bowl without the fried wrapper. It's a low-carb, keto-friendly, Whole30-compliant one-pan meal that delivers authentic egg roll flavors in about 20 minutes. The concept strips away the fried dough wrapper and focuses on the flavorful filling, making it healthier while maintaining the taste people crave from Chinese takeout.
What are common mistakes when making egg roll in a bowl?
Common mistakes include: 1) Overcooking the cabbage until mushy instead of stopping when still slightly crunchy. 2) Using low heat so meat steams instead of browns. 3) Adding soy sauce too early which makes everything steam rather than stir-fry. 4) Not draining excess liquid from vegetables which creates watery bowl. 5) Skipping the ginger which provides authentic egg roll flavor. 6) Using old, stale sesame oil that tastes bitter. 7) Not seasoning adequately – taste and adjust.
Healthy, Quick, Delicious!
Now you have all the secrets to creating this incredible egg roll in a bowl that proves healthy eating can be quick, easy, and genuinely delicious without requiring you to sacrifice flavor, satisfaction, or enjoyment in exchange for better nutrition and health outcomes that support athletic performance, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. From the fresh cabbage upgrade that takes literally two extra minutes but creates noticeably better texture and flavor to the oyster sauce umami boost that adds depth people can taste but can't quite identify .
Looking to make healthy eating simple, delicious, and stress-free? Our one-pan meals are perfect for busy days when you want flavor without the fuss. Try our Healthy Chicken Piccata Recipe, loaded with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, for a quick and satisfying dinner, or enjoy our Delicious Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe, a low-carb twist on a classic favorite that’s full of fresh veggies and bold flavors. And don’t forget breakfast our Easy Dehydrated Mango Recipe starts your day with protein, colorful vegetables, and energy to keep you going.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Egg Roll In A Bowl
Egg Roll In A Bowl
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet or wok (Preferably nonstick or cast iron)
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula (For browning meat and mixing)
- 1 Sharp knife (For chopping vegetables)
- 1 Cutting board
Ingredients
For the Bowl:
- 1 lb Ground pork - Can substitute ground turkey chicken, beef, or tofu
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil - For browning meat
- 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger - Minced
- 3 cloves Garlic - Minced
- 14 oz Coleslaw mix - Shredded cabbage and carrots
- 3 Green onions - Sliced
- 3 tablespoon Soy sauce - Or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha - Optional
- To taste Salt and pepper
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 Bell pepper - Sliced
- 1 cup Mushrooms - Sliced
- 1 cup Snap peas
- Water chestnuts - Chopped for crunch
- Bamboo shoots - Optional
For Serving:
- Cauliflower rice or regular rice - Optional
- Sesame seeds - Optional
- Extra green onions - Optional
- Fried egg - Optional
Instructions
- Heat skillet with sesame oil. Add ground pork and cook 5–7 min until browned and caramelized.
- Push meat aside. Add minced ginger and garlic, cook 30–60 sec until fragrant, then mix with meat.
- Add coleslaw mix and optional vegetables. Stir and cook 5–7 min until cabbage wilts but is still slightly crunchy.
- Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Cook 2–3 min to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Add green onions, serve immediately with optional toppings like sesame seeds, fried egg, or rice.
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