This Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe captures the delicious flavors of your favorite Chinese appetizer without the need for deep-fried wrappers! It’s a quick, healthy dinner solution that requires just one skillet and less than 30 minutes of your time. I love making Asian stir-fries and takeout dishes at home because they’re so quick and satisfying. I’ve been enjoying this deconstructed Egg Roll in a Bowl for over 5 years, and it’s always a hit. I’ve served it to many people of all ages, and the reaction is consistently the same: “This is incredible!”
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal fast.
One Skillet: Enjoy minimal cleanup with this one-pan dish, making it as convenient as it is flavorful.
Simple Ingredients: Use ingredients that are likely already in your pantry, so there’s no need for an extra trip to the store.
Healthy & Flavorful: Full of protein and veggies, this dish is both nutritious and bursting with taste.
Customizable: Make it your own by adding extra veggies, trying different proteins, or adjusting the seasonings to fit your preferences!
INGREDIENTS
Ground Turkey: I prefer 93/7 ground turkey for this recipe, but you can also use ground pork, ground chicken, or lean ground beef.
Cabbage: Use thinly shredded cabbage—about 1 medium head. For extra color, mix purple and green cabbage.
Carrots: Thinly shredded whole carrots or matchstick carrots work well.
Onion: A sweet onion is ideal, but you can substitute red or yellow onions. Green onions are also a great addition when serving.
Ginger & Garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic add a vibrant flavor. To simplify, consider using pre-peeled garlic and ginger paste.
Soy Sauce: Traditional soy sauce is perfect unless you’re avoiding soy or gluten. For a gluten-free option, try tamari sauce or liquid coconut aminos. Use low sodium soy sauce if you’re monitoring your sodium intake.
Vinegar: Rice vinegar provides the most authentic flavor, but apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar can be used as alternatives, though they will slightly alter the taste.
Sesame Oil: This essential ingredient imparts a distinctive flavor to the dish, so be sure not to leave it out!
HOW TO MAKE EGG ROLL IN A BOWL
- Prepare the Veggies: Slice the cabbage thinly with a very sharp knife, aiming for pieces no thicker than ¼ to ½ inch. If you didn’t buy matchstick carrots, shred them using a large food processor or a cheese grater.
- Cook the Ground Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook the ground meat for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks to ensure there are no large chunks. (A potato masher works great for this!)
- Add Veggies and Seasonings: Push the cooked meat to one side of the skillet. Add the onion and an additional tablespoon of oil to the empty side. Sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then add the shredded carrots, garlic, and ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir everything together. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Mix in the cabbage, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cover with a lid.
- Cook and Serve: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your desired tenderness. Just before serving, add toasted sesame oil and stir to combine. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, or sprinkle red pepper flakes for extra spice. Serve over white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or enjoy on its own!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH EGG ROLL IN A BOWL?
This recipe is already pretty filling on its own, but you can serve it with any of these simple sides.
Asian Cucumber Salad, Air Fryer Asparagus, Chinese Green Beans are all excellent greens.
If you don’t mind carbs, serve it with Instant Pot White Rice, White Rice, Basmati Rice, or Jasmine Rice.
Or top this dish with some Asian Ginger Dressing. Want to up-level the flavor even more? Try a drizzle of some Sriracha Mayo or even this easy Peanut Sauce recipe!
RECIPE VARIATIONS
There are countless ways to customize this dish to your liking! Here are some ideas:
- Add Egg: Top it with a fried or poached egg for extra richness.
- Increase Veggies: Load up on more vegetables like Chinese broccoli, zucchini, and squash, or use a mix of green and purple cabbage.
- Lower Sodium: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if you’re reducing sodium.
- Save Time: Use a pre-packaged coleslaw mix for convenience.
- Switch Meat: Try ground beef, turkey, or pork for a different flavor.
- Make It Vegetarian: Substitute tofu, chickpeas, or another meat alternative.
- Add Heat: Spice it up with Sriracha mayo.
- Garnish: Top with cilantro, peanuts, peanut sauce, or a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor.
STORAGE AND MEAL PREP
Prep-Ahead: Chop the vegetables and prepare any sauces you plan to use, such as sriracha mayo.
Storage: Keep leftovers refrigerated for 3-4 days. Avoid freezing, as thawing can cause excess water to accumulate, making the cabbage mushy.
Reheating: For the best taste and texture, reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat. You can also use the microwave, but be aware it may result in a softer texture.
