Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl with Ground Pork and Cabbage
Craving the savory flavor of an egg roll but don't want to deal with wrappers, rolling, or deep-frying? This egg roll in a bowl delivers those familiar flavors in a simple skillet meal.
Ground pork is cooked with garlic, ginger, cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a quick dinner that comes together in about 25 minutes. It is also flexible enough to make with ground turkey or chicken when you want to switch things up.
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| A quick one-pan dinner inspired by the savory flavors of a classic egg roll. |
What is egg roll in a bowl?
Egg roll in a bowl is a deconstructed egg roll made without the wrapper. It typically combines seasoned ground meat, cabbage or coleslaw mix, carrots, garlic, ginger, and savory seasonings in a skillet. The result is a quick, flavorful one-pan meal inspired by the filling of a traditional egg roll.
Why You'll Love This Egg Roll Bowl
This recipe keeps the best parts of an egg roll—the savory protein, tender-crisp vegetables, aromatic garlic and ginger, and sesame flavor—while simplifying the cooking process.
A few reasons it works well for busy weeknights:
One skillet: Less cookware means easier cleanup.
Quick cooking: The ingredients cook in roughly 20–25 minutes.
Flexible protein: Pork, turkey, chicken, or beef can work.
Lots of vegetables: Cabbage and carrots provide texture and color.
Easy to customize: Add spice, change the protein, or use a bagged coleslaw mix.
Meal-prep friendly: Portions can be refrigerated and reheated for another meal.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
For about 4 servings, you'll need:
Main Ingredients
1 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil
4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
3 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
1–2 teaspoons chili sauce, optional
The combination of ground pork, cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil creates the classic savory profile that makes this deconstructed egg roll so satisfying.
How Do You Make Egg Roll in a Bowl?
1. Brown the ground pork
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and cooked through.
Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Add the aromatics
Reduce the heat slightly. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly.
Be careful not to let the garlic or ginger burn.
3. Add the cabbage and carrots
Add the sliced cabbage and shredded carrots to the skillet. Toss everything together.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage softens but still retains some texture.
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| Ground pork, cabbage, and carrots come together in one skillet for an easy weeknight dinner. |
4. Season the skillet
Pour in the soy sauce and stir thoroughly so the meat and vegetables are evenly coated.
Add the toasted sesame oil and optional chili sauce. Taste before adding any extra salt because soy sauce already contributes plenty of saltiness.
5. Finish and serve
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the sliced green onions and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
Use a large skillet: Cabbage takes up considerable space before it wilts. A large pan makes tossing easier.
Don't overcrowd the pan: If your skillet is small, the vegetables may steam rather than cook evenly.
Cook the pork thoroughly: Ground meat should be fully cooked before serving.
Watch the aromatics: Garlic and ginger can burn quickly, so keep them moving in the pan.
Keep some cabbage texture: Avoid cooking it too long if you prefer a tender-crisp bite.
Add soy sauce gradually: Different brands vary in saltiness, so taste before adding more.
Use bagged coleslaw mix: It can save preparation time and often contains shredded cabbage and carrots.
Can I Use Coleslaw Mix?
Yes. Bagged coleslaw mix is a convenient shortcut for an egg roll bowl with cabbage.
Look for a basic cabbage-and-carrot mixture without a creamy dressing. You can generally use it in place of the sliced cabbage and shredded carrots in this recipe.
This is especially useful when you want a 20-minute dinner with minimal chopping.
Protein Options
Ground Pork
Ground pork gives the bowl a rich, savory flavor and works especially well with ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is a leaner-tasting alternative. Because it can be milder than pork, you may want to emphasize the garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and chili sauce.
Ground Chicken
Ground chicken also works well and has a relatively mild flavor that allows the seasonings and vegetables to stand out.
Ground Beef
Ground beef creates a richer variation. It will have a different flavor profile but still works with the cabbage-and-soy-sauce combination.
Plant-Based Protein
For a vegetarian-style version, replace the meat with a suitable plant-based ground protein. You can also add sliced mushrooms for additional texture and savory flavor.
Low-Carb and Gluten-Free Adaptations
For a lower-carb version, skip rice, noodles, or other starches and serve the skillet mixture on its own.
For a gluten-free adaptation, use gluten-free tamari or another verified gluten-free soy-sauce alternative instead of regular soy sauce, since conventional soy sauce may contain wheat. Check individual ingredient labels to ensure the entire meal meets your dietary requirements.
A keto-style version may be possible depending on the specific ingredients and quantities you use, but dietary suitability should always be determined from the actual products and their nutrition labels.
Make It Spicy
If you like heat, add chili sauce while seasoning the skillet.
You can also use:
Crushed red pepper flakes
Thinly sliced fresh chili peppers
A drizzle of your preferred hot sauce
Start with a small amount and increase gradually.
What Should You Serve With Egg Roll in a Bowl?
This skillet meal can be served on its own, especially when you're looking for a simple weeknight dinner.
For a heartier meal, serve it with:
Steamed white or brown rice
Cauliflower rice
Cooked noodles
Extra sautéed vegetables
Cucumber slices
A simple side salad
Choose your side based on your dietary preferences and how substantial you want the meal to be.
Can You Meal Prep Egg Roll in a Bowl?
Yes. Egg roll in a bowl is convenient for meal prep because the cooked meat and vegetables can be divided into individual containers.
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| Portion the skillet mixture into containers for an easy make-ahead dinner. |
Allow the food to cool appropriately before refrigerating, then portion it into clean, airtight containers.
Storage: Keep leftovers refrigerated and use conservative food-safety practices. When in doubt about how long a prepared food has been stored, discard it.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through, stirring partway through. You can also reheat the mixture in a skillet over medium heat.
The cabbage may soften slightly after refrigeration, but the flavors remain well suited to a make-ahead dinner.
If this recipe is going into your weekly dinner rotation, a meal-planning tool can make organizing meals easier.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is egg roll in a bowl?
It is a deconstructed egg roll made without the wrapper. Ground protein is cooked with cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, and savory seasonings in a skillet.
What meat is best for egg roll in a bowl?
Ground pork is a natural choice because its rich flavor pairs well with cabbage, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Ground turkey and chicken are also good alternatives.
Can I use bagged coleslaw mix?
Yes. Plain bagged coleslaw mix can replace the sliced cabbage and shredded carrots, making preparation faster.
Is egg roll in a bowl low carb?
The basic skillet mixture can be lower in carbohydrates than an egg roll served with a wrapper, but the exact carbohydrate content depends on the ingredients and quantities used. Avoid adding rice or noodles if you want to keep the meal lower in carbohydrates.
Can I make egg roll in a bowl ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the recipe, portion it into airtight containers, refrigerate it, and reheat individual servings when needed.
Can I make it without soy sauce?
Yes. You can use an appropriate soy-sauce alternative such as tamari or coconut aminos, depending on your dietary needs and the flavor you prefer.
What should I serve with egg roll in a bowl?
It can be served on its own or with rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or additional vegetables. Choose the side according to your preferences and dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
This egg roll in a bowl recipe is a straightforward way to enjoy the savory combination of ground meat, cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil without making or frying egg roll wrappers.
The one-skillet approach keeps preparation simple, while the flexible protein and vegetable options make it easy to adapt for different dinner routines.
For busy nights, meal prep, or whenever you want an easy Asian-inspired dinner, this deconstructed egg roll is a practical recipe to keep in your rotation.
Looking for more easy meal ideas to add to your routine?
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