Egg Roll in a Bowl

There are nights when you crave takeout, but not the wait. Or the grease. Or the mystery of how much oil went into that crispy wrapper. You want the flavor. The garlic. The soy. The savory filling. But maybe without the deep-fried shell.

That’s exactly why Egg Roll in a Bowl became such a staple in so many kitchens.

It delivers everything you love about a classic egg roll — the seasoned ground meat, the tender cabbage, the garlicky-ginger punch — but skips the wrapper and the fryer. The result? A one-pan, high-protein, veggie-packed dinner that’s shockingly satisfying.

It’s simple. It’s fast. It’s customizable. And it genuinely tastes like something you’d order — just fresher.

If you’ve been searching for low-carb dinner ideas, easy ground pork recipes, healthy Asian-inspired meals, or one-skillet weeknight dinners, this recipe is about to become a regular.

Let’s build it right.

Why Egg Roll in a Bowl Works So Well

The filling is the star of a traditional egg roll anyway. Savory meat. Cabbage. Garlic. Soy sauce. A little sweetness. A little heat.

When you cook it in a skillet instead of wrapping and frying it, you focus on flavor instead of texture. And surprisingly, you don’t miss the wrapper as much as you think you will.

Cabbage softens and absorbs seasoning beautifully. Ground pork (or turkey, or chicken) browns and builds depth. Soy sauce adds saltiness. Sesame oil brings warmth. A splash of rice vinegar brightens everything.

It’s balanced. Savory and slightly sweet. Warm but not heavy.

And it cooks in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

1 pound ground pork (or ground turkey/chicken)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1 small onion, diced
1 bag (14–16 oz) coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon hoisin sauce (optional for sweetness)
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 green onions, sliced
Optional: sesame seeds for garnish

Minimal ingredients. Maximum flavor.

How to Make Egg Roll in a Bowl

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

Add ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Let it develop some caramelized bits — that’s flavor.

Add diced onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

Stir in the shredded cabbage. It may seem like a lot at first, but it wilts quickly.

Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender but not mushy.

Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin (if using), black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to coat everything evenly.

Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until everything is heated through.

Remove from heat and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Serve immediately.

Flavor and Texture Expectations

The meat should be savory and slightly caramelized. The cabbage tender but still holding some structure. Garlic and ginger noticeable but not overpowering.

It’s salty, slightly sweet, lightly tangy. If you add red pepper flakes, there’s a gentle heat that builds.

It tastes clean. Fresh. Satisfying.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as-is for a low-carb meal.
Spoon over steamed rice for a heartier bowl.
Add cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
Top with a fried egg for extra richness.

It adapts easily to your mood.

Make It Your Own

Add shredded carrots for sweetness.
Use ground beef instead of pork.
Drizzle with sriracha for extra heat.
Add water chestnuts for crunch.
Stir in bean sprouts at the end for texture.

The base recipe is forgiving.

Meal Prep & Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days.

Reheat in a skillet or microwave. It reheats beautifully and even tastes better the next day as flavors deepen.

Why This Recipe Became So Popular

It’s fast. It’s healthy-ish. It’s high in protein. It’s affordable. It uses one pan.

It satisfies takeout cravings without deep frying.

And once you realize how easy it is, you’ll start keeping coleslaw mix in your fridge just for this.

Final Thoughts

Egg Roll in a Bowl is bold, simple, and deeply practical.

Savory meat. Tender cabbage. Garlic and ginger warmth. One skillet.

It’s everything you love about an egg roll — minus the wrapper.

And honestly? You probably won’t miss it.