There’s something wonderfully simple yet satisfying about this one-pan meal. The Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe captures all those familiar Asian flavors of an egg roll—crispy, savory, a little spicy—without all the fuss of wrapping or frying. It’s such a comforting dish that comes together quickly, and I find myself reaching for it on busy weeknights more often than not.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This dish quickly became a staple in my kitchen because it hits the perfect balance of comfort and healthiness. You’ve got all that classic egg roll flavor without any of the heavy frying or carbs from the wrapper—so it’s lighter but still indulgent. Plus, it’s super flexible, which is great when you want to customize it to your taste or dietary needs.
- Speedy Prep and Cook Time: You can have a warm, flavorful dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, which is a game changer on hectic nights.
- Low-Carb and Healthy: This recipe uses cabbage instead of wrappers, making it lighter and perfect for anyone watching carbs or just wanting a veggie-packed meal.
- Flavorful and Comforting: The combination of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil brings all those Asian takeout vibes, but homemade and fresher.
- Endlessly Customizable: You can swap out protein, level up the spice, or sneak in more veggies really easily—so it suits whatever you have on hand or your preferences.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe plays an important role in layering flavor and texture, all while keeping the prep simple. I always take a moment to pick fresh ginger—it really makes a difference—and a good quality soy sauce or tamari to keep the dish balanced. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players:
- Ground turkey or chicken: These lean proteins cook quickly and pair beautifully with the bold flavors; I love turkey for its mild taste, but chicken works just as well.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed, rounding out the savory notes in the dish.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential here—it packs a punch and is the soul of the savory base.
- Fresh ginger: Grated or minced, it adds warmth and a zesty brightness that lifts the entire recipe.
- Coleslaw mix: A handy shortcut for shredded cabbage and carrots—this mix cooks quickly and soaks up flavor perfectly.
- Soy sauce or tamari: Brings the salty umami kick, so choose a low-sodium version to keep things balanced.
- Toasted sesame oil: This gives the dish an irresistible nutty aroma and depth, so don’t skip it.
- Sriracha or sambal oelek: Adds just the right amount of heat—adjust according to your spice tolerance.
- Green onions: Used fresh at the end for a pop of color and mild onion flavor.
- Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro: These garnishes add crunch and freshness that bring the whole dish to life.
- Optional cooked cauliflower rice: A great way to make it a full meal and keep it low-carb without added grains.
Make It Your Way
What I love most about the Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often tinker with the protein or adjust the spice level depending on my mood—and honestly, you can’t go wrong. Feel free to add extra veggies or mix in some heat with your favorite chili sauce!
- Protein swaps: I’ve tried ground pork and beef too, and both add a different, richer flavor—ground pork gives it that authentic, juicy bite I sometimes crave.
- Spice it up: When I’m feeling adventurous, I add extra sriracha or a drizzle of chili crisp on top; it’s totally up to your heat tolerance.
- Make it vegan: Tofu or tempeh work beautifully if you want to skip meat—just crumble the tofu and cook it similarly, adding a splash of soy sauce for depth.
- Add an egg: For a protein boost, I sometimes whisk an egg right into the skillet at the end, stirring gently until cooked.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Brown the meat beautifully
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and add your ground turkey or chicken. As it cooks (about 5-6 minutes), break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season generously with salt and pepper as you go. The key here is to get the meat nicely browned without overcooking so it stays juicy and flavorful.
Step 2: Sauté the aromatics and add the veggies
Once the meat is cooked through, add your chopped onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger to the skillet. Stir everything together and let them soften for a minute or two. Then toss in the coleslaw mix, which cooks quickly. Pour in the soy sauce (or tamari), a splash of toasted sesame oil, and sriracha for heat. Cook for another 5 minutes until the cabbage is tender but still has a bit of crunch.
Step 3: Taste, adjust, and finish with fresh toppings
Give everything a good taste test. If you feel it needs more zing, add extra soy sauce or a drizzle more sriracha. Then portion your egg roll mixture into bowls and sprinkle with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro. I like to keep a bottle of sriracha or chili crisp on the table in case I want an extra kick.
Top Tip
After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that keep it flavorful and hassle-free. These little tweaks really elevate the dish and make sure it turns out perfectly every time.
- Caramelize the onions: Take a couple extra minutes to soften and lightly caramelize the onions before adding garlic and ginger—it deepens the flavor beautifully.
- Don’t overcook the cabbage: The coleslaw mix should be just tender, not mushy, so watch it closely in the last few minutes.
- Use fresh ginger: It makes a world of difference. Grated fresh ginger adds a brightness that ground ginger or powder just can’t match.
- Season and taste as you go: Soy sauce and sriracha levels can vary widely, so start with less and add more until it hits your perfect balance of salty-spicy.
How to Serve Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
I always top my egg roll bowl with fresh sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. They add a great crunch and color contrast. Lately, I’ve been loving adding chopped cilantro for a bright, fresh twist. Sometimes I drizzle on a little yum yum sauce for creaminess—it totally transforms the dish!
Side Dishes
This recipe stands well on its own, especially with cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal. But if you want some sides, a simple cucumber salad or steamed edamame complement it perfectly without overpowering those savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I like to serve this in individual lettuce cups—like little handheld bowls—that make it fun and interactive. Kids and grown-ups both love grabbing a spoonful of filling and wrapping it up. It instantly feels more festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover egg roll in a bowl in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for 3-4 days. When I reheat it, I find using a skillet over medium heat works best to keep the texture nice and avoid sogginess.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well, which is a lifesaver when I want to meal prep. Just cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, leave it overnight in the fridge and then reheat gently on the stovetop.
Reheating
To reheat, I like warming the leftovers in a nonstick pan with a sprinkle of water or extra soy sauce to revive those flavors. Microwave works in a pinch but can sometimes make the cabbage a bit watery in my experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Ground beef works wonderfully and gives the dish a richer flavor. Just drain excess fat if needed and adjust seasonings to balance the taste.
Yes, this Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, especially if you serve it without rice or with cauliflower rice. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavors without the carbs.
You sure can! Swap the ground meat for crumbled tofu or tempeh and use tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free. It’s just as tasty and filling without the meat.
The level of spice is totally up to you. The base recipe calls for 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or sambal oelek, which adds a mild to medium heat. You can always adjust by adding more or less, or serve extra on the side.
Final Thoughts
This Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe is one of those meals I come back to time and again because it’s comforting, tasty, and effortless. I know when I’m juggling a busy schedule, having a flavorful, wholesome dinner that comes together fast is priceless. Give it a try—you’ll love how easily it fits into your weeknight rotation, and I promise it’ll quickly become a favorite that’s both healthy and deeply satisfying.
Print
Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Egg Roll in a Bowl is a healthy, low-carb one-pan meal that captures the flavors of traditional egg rolls without the wrapper. Ground turkey or chicken is cooked with garlic, ginger, and a crunchy coleslaw mix, then seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a spicy kick of sriracha for a quick, delicious dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated or minced
Vegetables and Sauce
- 1 (12-14 oz) package coleslaw mix
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or sambal oelek
Toppings and Serving
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sriracha, for serving (optional)
- Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Cooked cauliflower rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey or chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Break meat into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula while cooking, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
- Add Vegetables and Sauce: Add chopped onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, coleslaw mix, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and sriracha to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes until cabbage is tender. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more soy sauce or sriracha if desired.
- Serve: Portion the mixture into bowls. Top with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro. Serve with additional sriracha, soy sauce, or chili crisp on the side. Optionally, serve with cooked cauliflower rice.
Notes
- Topping idea: Add a drizzle of yum yum sauce for creaminess and extra flavor.
- Protein substitutions: Swap ground turkey or chicken with ground pork or beef. For a vegan option, use tempeh or tofu.
- Add an egg: To increase protein, create a well in the skillet after cooking the mixture, crack an egg into it, scramble until cooked, then serve.
- Serving size: The recipe yields 3 servings. For a family of 4 or leftovers, double the recipe. If serving without cauliflower rice, 2 servings are quite filling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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