Egg Roll in a Bowl

The Egg Roll in a Bowl is your new favorite weeknight wonder bold, savory, and ridiculously easy to make. Packed with seasoned ground pork, crunchy cabbage, and aromatic garlic and ginger, this dish delivers all the deliciousness of a traditional egg roll, minus the deep-frying and carb-heavy wrapper.

Whether you’re eating low-carb, following Whole30, or just need something quick that the whole family will love, this skillet meal comes through every time. With just a few pantry staples and 25 minutes, you’ll have a nutritious, high-protein dinner on the table that tastes like it came from your favorite Asian restaurant.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground pork (or ground chicken/turkey)

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional)

  • 1 (14 oz) bag coleslaw mix

  • 2 green onions, sliced

  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions:

  1. Heat sesame oil and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

  3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

  4. Add ground pork to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.

  5. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Mix well.

  6. Add coleslaw mix and toss to combine. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, until the cabbage is tender but still crisp.

  7. Remove from heat. Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

  8. Serve hot, optionally over cauliflower rice for a complete low-carb meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 290 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

If you’re searching for a weeknight dinner that checks all the boxes quick, easy, low-carb, full of flavor, and family-friendly Egg Roll in a Bowl is the perfect solution. This dish has exploded in popularity in the health-conscious cooking community for good reason: it delivers all the flavor of a traditional egg roll, without the carbs, deep-frying, or mess. Whether you’re following a specific dietary plan or just looking for something satisfying and simple, this skillet meal is likely to become a staple in your kitchen.

What Is an Egg Roll in a Bowl?

Egg Roll in a Bowl is a modern, deconstructed twist on the classic Chinese-American egg roll. Instead of wrapping meat and vegetables in a wheat-based wrapper and deep-frying them, all the savory filling ingredients are cooked together in one skillet and served as-is no rolling or frying required.

Typically, the dish features ground pork or chicken, shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix, and a savory-sweet seasoning blend of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. The result? A delicious stir-fry-style meal that tastes like your favorite takeout but is made healthier and faster in your own kitchen.

Why It’s So Popular

The Egg Roll in a Bowl isn’t just a viral food trend it’s a testament to how smart cooking can transform traditional comfort foods into something lighter and more nutritious. Here’s why people love it:

1. Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly

For those on low-carb or keto diets, Egg Roll in a Bowl is a game-changer. Traditional egg rolls are typically off-limits due to their flour-based wrappers and fried preparation. This version skips the carbs while keeping all the flavor, making it ideal for anyone managing blood sugar, aiming for ketosis, or simply reducing processed carbs.

2. Quick and Easy

You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes with minimal prep. Using pre-shredded coleslaw mix cuts down on time, and everything cooks in one skillet, which makes cleanup a breeze. This is the kind of recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or even a last-minute dinner solution.

3. High-Protein and Satisfying

Thanks to the use of ground pork, turkey, or chicken, this dish is high in protein and incredibly filling. When paired with fiber-rich cabbage, it satisfies hunger and keeps you full for hours. It’s also a balanced option that won’t leave you craving snacks shortly after eating.

4. Versatile and Customizable

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Not a fan of pork? Use ground chicken or turkey. Need it spicier? Add chili garlic sauce or sriracha. Want to stretch it into a bigger meal? Serve it over cauliflower rice or even jasmine rice if you’re not watching your carbs. You can also add extra veggies like mushrooms, shredded carrots, or bell peppers to boost the nutritional value even more.

A Perfect Fit for Many Diets

The Egg Roll in a Bowl fits seamlessly into several dietary lifestyles. Whether you’re cutting carbs, avoiding gluten, or trying to eat cleaner, this dish can help you stay on track.

Keto and Low-Carb

By eliminating the wrapper and any added sugars, Egg Roll in a Bowl becomes a perfect fit for ketogenic and low-carb eating plans. Each serving is typically under 10 grams of net carbs, depending on the soy sauce and vegetables used.

Gluten-Free

With a simple switch from traditional soy sauce to tamari or coconut aminos, this meal becomes entirely gluten-free. Be sure to double-check your seasoning labels if you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.

Whole30 and Paleo

If you’re following Whole30 or Paleo guidelines, this dish can still work for you. Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos and skip any processed sauces or sugar. Use a healthy cooking fat like olive or avocado oil, and you’re set.

Dairy-Free

There are no dairy products in the base version of Egg Roll in a Bowl, making it a great option for those avoiding lactose or following a dairy-free diet.

Great for Meal Prep

Another reason this recipe is so beloved? It reheats beautifully. In fact, many say it tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. You can easily double the recipe and portion it out for grab-and-go lunches or heat-and-eat dinners throughout the week.

Meal prep lovers especially appreciate that this dish:

  • Stores well in airtight containers for up to 4 days
  • Can be frozen for up to 3 months
  • Pairs with a variety of bases like cauliflower rice, brown rice, or noodles for variation

If you’re tired of dry chicken and bland leftovers, this is a dish you’ll actually look forward to eating.

Flavor Profile and Texture

Egg Roll in a Bowl is all about balance. The savory umami from the soy sauce blends beautifully with the heat from ginger and garlic, while sesame oil adds a warm, nutty depth. If you add a touch of rice vinegar or sriracha, you get brightness and heat for contrast.

Texture-wise, the ground meat provides a hearty base, while the cabbage (especially if just slightly wilted) offers a pleasant crunch. This contrast is what makes the dish so satisfying. Top it off with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality meal made at home.

Creative Variations

Once you’ve tried the basic version, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to experiment. Here are some creative spins to keep it fresh:

  • Thai-Inspired: Use ground chicken, Thai basil, fish sauce, lime juice, and chopped peanuts.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Replace meat with tofu or a mix of mushrooms and lentils for a plant-based option.
  • Sweet & Spicy: Add hoisin sauce, chili garlic paste, or even a bit of pineapple for a different flavor twist.
  • Seafood Style: Try ground shrimp or chopped cooked shrimp for a coastal variation.

Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing

Because it tastes like familiar takeout, this dish is a hit with picky eaters, too. If your kids are hesitant about cabbage, try chopping it finer or cooking it a bit longer to soften the texture. You can also reduce the garlic or ginger to make it more mild.

Serving a group? This is a budget-friendly and scalable meal. Double or triple the recipe and let everyone add their own toppings—extra sriracha, fresh cilantro, crushed peanuts, or even a fried egg on top.

Conclusion: A Staple Worth Adding to Your Rotation

Egg Roll in a Bowl is more than just a recipe it’s a lifestyle-friendly, practical, and deeply satisfying dish that deserves a permanent spot in your meal rotation. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, it manages to hit the sweet spot between comfort food and healthy cooking.

It’s perfect for anyone trying to eat cleaner, cook faster, or just bring more variety into their weeknight dinners. Whether you’re keto, gluten-free, Whole30, or just hungry and short on time, this dish delivers every single time.

So the next time you’re tempted by takeout or find yourself asking, “What’s for dinner?” give this low-carb stir-fry a try. It might just become your new favorite.

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