There’s something incredibly comforting about the savory, crunchy flavors of a classic egg roll, but without the hassle of frying and wrappers. This Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe nails that experience in just one pan, making it a quick, flavorful dish you’ll want on repeat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I get why this recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen. It’s fast, fuss-free, and packed with all the familiar flavors of an egg roll without deep frying or extra prep. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s such a crowd pleaser.
- One-pan simplicity: Everything cooks right in your skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
- Healthy and customizable: You control the protein and sauces, making it gluten-free, paleo, or Whole30 friendly.
- Crunchy and fresh: The shredded coleslaw adds texture and keeps each bite deliciously vibrant.
- Quick weeknight dinner: Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect when you want something warm but easy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe shines because of its simple but thoughtfully combined ingredients. Each one brings an essential flavor or texture to the table, balanced just right to mimic that classic egg roll taste without the fuss.
- Olive oil: For cooking the meat and aromatics, providing a mild richness without overpowering flavors.
- Ground chicken breast: I love how lean chicken cooks quickly yet stays tender and juicy. You can swap it for turkey, pork, or beef depending on what you have.
- Diced onion: Adds a subtle sweetness when sautéed that rounds out the savory profile.
- Fresh ginger: This little punch of zing wakes up the dish and pairs perfectly with garlic.
- Minced garlic: A classic aromatic that brings warmth and aroma to every bite.
- Shredded carrots: They add subtle sweetness and a little crunch.
- Coleslaw mix: The star veggie here—cabbage and carrots shredded finely to give that egg roll crunch without frying.
- Low sodium gluten-free tamari: This is your savory umami punch, better than plain soy sauce and great for gluten-free diets. Coconut aminos are a fantastic paleo swap.
- Rice vinegar: Adds bright acidity that lifts the flavors.
- Toasted sesame oil: Just a little goes a long way to infuse a nutty aroma that screams Asian comfort food.
- Green onions: I add these last to keep their fresh bite and color.
- Bang Bang Sauce: Whether it’s sriracha, sweet chili, or mayo-spiced sriracha, this finishing touch is pure magic on the dish.
Make It Your Way
I like to tweak this Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood. Feel free to swap proteins or pile on more veggies—it's really forgiving and fun to personalize.
- Variation: Once, I swapped ground pork for the chicken and added sliced shiitake mushrooms. It gave the dish a richer flavor and an earthy twist that totally impressed my family.
- Spice level: Adjust the bang bang sauce or add chili flakes to dial up or down the heat.
- Veggie swap: Feel free to toss in bell peppers or snap peas for seasonal crunch.
- Protein-free: For a vegetarian spin, use firm tofu crumbled and browned instead of meat—still delicious!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Protein
Start by heating olive oil on medium in a large nonstick skillet. Add ground chicken and break it apart with your spoon. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until it’s no longer pink. Don’t drain the water that naturally comes out—it helps keep everything moist and tender.
Step 2: Add the Flavor Builders
Next, toss in your diced onions, minced garlic, and fresh ginger. Stir everything for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions turn translucent and fragrant. This step fills your kitchen with that cozy home-cooked vibe.
Step 3: Veggie Time!
Add the shredded carrots and half of your coleslaw mix. Now drizzle the tamari, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil evenly over the veggies. Cook everything for 1 to 2 minutes—just enough for the cabbage to wilt slightly but still keep that essential crunch.
Step 4: Finish with the Rest of the Slaw
Add the remaining coleslaw mix and continue cooking another 1 to 2 minutes until it all softens just right. You want your bowl to have a mix of tender and crisp textures, mimicking the perfect egg roll bite.
Step 5: Green Onion and Serve
Sprinkle sliced green onions on top, give everything one last stir, and it’s ready to serve! I love pairing it with a drizzle of spicy bang bang sauce for that extra kick.
Top Tip
Having made this many times, I’ve learned a few things that up the flavor and save time. Here are my best tips to nail this Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe every time:
- Don’t drain the meat juices: That water you see in the pan? It keeps your meat juicy and helps cook the veggies in flavor-packed steam.
- Fresh ginger is key: Pre-minced can work, but fresh ginger brings such brightness that really elevates the dish.
- Toast your sesame oil carefully: Add it near the end so it maintains its nutty aroma and doesn’t burn.
- Use a sharp knife for green onions: It keeps them crisp and pretty, so they don’t bruise and wilt too fast.
How to Serve Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish my bowls with a handful of sliced green onions and a generous drizzle of bang bang sauce—be it spicy sriracha mayo or sweet chili. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for bonus crunch and presentation. A wedge of lime on the side never hurts either for a fresh zing.
Side Dishes
To keep it balanced, I often pair my egg roll bowl with steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice if I want to keep it low-carb. For an easy appetizer, crispy spring rolls or a light cucumber salad complement the flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this in individual lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held version that’s super fresh. Another idea I've tried is layering into mason jars for an easy grab-and-go lunch—you can eat it warm or chilled.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers go straight into an airtight container and last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. I find the flavors even deepen overnight. Just give it a good stir before reheating to redistribute the sauces and juices.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this recipe a couple of times with success. Just cool completely before packing into freezer-safe containers. When you want it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or microwave to keep textures intact.
Reheating
My go-to is reheating on medium-low heat in a skillet, stirring frequently. This keeps the veggies from getting mushy and revives that just-cooked fresh taste. A quick splash of tamari or sesame oil while reheating perks up the flavor too.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Ground turkey, pork, beef, or even crumbled tofu works wonderfully here. Just adjust cooking time accordingly if you choose a denser protein.
Yes! Using low sodium gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos ensures it’s gluten-free and paleo friendly. Also, swapping out the vinegar for cider vinegar keeps it paleo compliant.
You can! Replace the ground meat with crumbled firm tofu or plant-based meat alternatives, and make sure your sauces are vegan. The flavor and texture still come together nicely.
I love spicy sriracha mayo or sweet chili sauce as a bang bang sauce on top—it adds creaminess and heat that perfectly complements the dish’s flavors. You can also try a simple drizzle of hoisin or extra tamari for variety.
Final Thoughts
This Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe is one of those gems that feels like a treat but comes together super fast with ingredients you already trust. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want that egg roll fix minus the guilt and extra work. I hope you love making it as much as I do—it’s always a hit in my kitchen, and I know it will be in yours too!
Print
Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Egg Roll In A Bowl is a quick, healthy one-pan meal that captures all the flavors of a traditional egg roll without the wrapper. Made with ground chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful seasonings, this gluten-free and paleo-friendly dish is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken breast (can sub ground turkey, pork, or beef)
- ½ onion (diced, about ½ cup)
- 1 ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 carrots (peeled and shredded, about ¾ cup)
- 1 14-oz bag coleslaw mix
- 3 Tablespoons low sodium gluten-free tamari (or coconut aminos for paleo)
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar (or cider vinegar for paleo)
- 1-2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 green onions (sliced)
Optional Sauce
- Bang Bang Sauce (Sriracha, Sriracha mayo, sweet chili sauce, etc.)
Instructions
- Cook The Chicken. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken breast and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to break the meat into small pieces until completely cooked through. Do not drain any liquid released during cooking.
- Add Aromatics. Add minced garlic, fresh ginger, and diced onion to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the aromatics soften.
- Start Adding Veggies. Add shredded carrots and half of the coleslaw mix to the skillet. Drizzle tamari, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil over the vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt slightly.
- Add Remaining Coleslaw. Add the rest of the coleslaw mix to the skillet. Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the cabbage starts to soften.
- Finish With Green Onion. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the dish and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Serve & Store. Serve warm straight from the skillet, optionally topped with Bang Bang Sauce. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This dish is a deconstructed egg roll, making it a quick and easy one-pan dinner.
- Using ground chicken breast keeps the dish lean; ground turkey, pork, or beef can be used as substitutes.
- To keep it paleo-friendly, substitute tamari with coconut aminos and use cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
- Adding Bang Bang Sauce or your favorite spicy sauce is optional for extra flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge and reheat easily on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.25 recipe (about 2 cups, without sauce)
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 5.6 g
- Sodium: 623.3 mg
- Fat: 7.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.4 g
- Fiber: 3.4 g
- Protein: 28.7 g
- Cholesterol: 82.7 mg
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