Egg Roll Bowls (Gluten Free + Paleo Friendly)

Egg Roll Bowls – This deconstructed egg roll makes a perfect quick-and-easy one pan dinner. Gluten free, paleo & Whole30 friendly. Scroll down for the full recipe + video!

I’ve seen Egg Roll Bowls (or “Egg Roll in a Bowl”) all over the place lately and can’t get over what a great idea they are. (Whoever “invented” this idea first is a genius!). A quick stir-fry dinner that’s perfect for a busy night? Count me in.

Aaaand if you’re wondering “what exactly is an egg roll bowl?,” it’s basically just an unpacked version of egg rolls. Think all the filling components without the wrappers/deep frying.

There are all sorts of versions of egg roll bowls floating around the internet, but here’s what I put in mine…

WHAT’S IN AN EGG ROLL BOWL?

To make an egg roll in a bowl, you’ll need just a few pretty straightforward ingredients, like:

• GROUND PROTEIN – I use ground chicken in our egg roll bowls because it goes over the best at our house, but see the FAQ below for other choices that also work!
• COLESLAW MIX – A key ingredient for egg roll bowls! I pick it up in the bagged produce section near the lettuce. Usually sold for under $2 a bag, this shortcut is also budget friendly. It’s simply a mix of shredded cabbage (green & red or just green) + a few grated carrots.
• GRATED CARROTS + ONION – Since I like a bit more color and substance, I punch things up with a few grated carrots. I love the color and flavor they bring to the table. The onion is a nice base layer of flavor that’s soft and not too strong in the final product.
• GARLIC + GINGER – These aromatics lend a distinctly Asian-inspired flavor to the dish. Love this combination.
• TAMARI OR COCONUT AMINOS – A bit of umami and saltiness to balance out the flavors. We most often use low-sodium gluten free tamari for egg roll bowls, but you can use coconut aminos for a paleo option (delicious!) or soy sauce if you don’t have any dietary restrictions.
• RICE VINEGAR – A small splash of vinegar brings a little brightness and helps balance out the other flavors. I highly recommend it. (Paleo? See the FAQ for another option!)
• SESAME OIL – Not 100% essential, but sesame oil is really nice here. It’s got a toasty, nutty flavor that’s lovely. (It’s a common component of teriyaki sauce)
• GREEN ONION –  The final garnish. It’s fantastic here for color and taste. You can also go off the books and add a bit of minced cilantro if you like.

HOW DO YOU SERVE EGG ROLL BOWLS?

IN BOWLS AS A MAIN DISH – You have lots of options! It’s easy to serve egg roll bowls as an all-in-one option and complete main dish. If you serve it as a main dish, you’ll get about 4 generous servings.

AS A MEAL COMPONENT – Or, you can use it as a meal component, and serve it with steamed rice, scooped into lettuce cups, or with extra veggies. When we make this for a family dinner, it goes over best when served with rice. If you serve the egg roll bowl as a component or the meal (served with rice, in lettuce cups, etc.), you can probably stretch it to 5 or even 6 servings.

SIDE DISH IDEAS – Besides some steamed rice or extra veggies, we love sliced mango or fresh fruit as a side dish. Something light and bright makes a nice contrast to the umami-rich stir fry and veggies.

FAQ + TIPSP FOR THE BEST EGG ROLL IN A BOWL:

PALEO & WHOLE30 NOTES – Your egg roll bowls can easily be paleo & Whole30 compliant by using a few simple swaps. First, use coconut aminos in place of the gluten free tamari. Second, use apple cider vinegar in place of the rice vinegar. Easy-peasy!

OTHER MIX-IN IDEAS: You can easily add more veggies to your egg roll bowls or spice things up. My favorite extra veggies to add are bean sprouts or thinly sliced/diced bell peppers. Another variation is to add a little spice with a pinch of 5-spice powder. Or, you can add a bit of kick with a few shots of sriracha at the end!

MAKE YOUR OWN GROUND CHICKEN BREAST – I buy pre-ground chicken breast at Sprouts, but I’ve also seen it other places as well. If you can’t find it, you can make your own with chicken breast and a food processor fitted with a metal S blade. Just cut the chicken up into cubes, then pulse until it’s finely ground. Or, if that’s too much fuss…

CAN I USE GROUND TURKEY OR PORK INSTEAD? Yes! You can use any ground meat you like for your egg roll bowls. I don’t personally care for ground turkey, so I use ground chicken breast.

CAN’T FIND COLESLAW MIX? No problem! Use 5 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 c shredded purple cabbage, and 1/2 cup additional shredded carrot.

Craving More? You Might Also Like:

• Healthy Beef & Broccoli (GF + Paleo)
• Healthy Orange Chicken (GF + Paleo)
• Paleo Chicken Lettuce Wraps (GF + Paleo)
• Egg Drop Soup (GF + Paleo)

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