Egg Roll In A Bowl

This low-carb Egg Roll In A Bowl recipe is an easy weeknight dinner made in about 20 minutes! It’s a perfect healthy stir-fry for a busy night. (Gluten-Free, Paleo & Whole30-Friendly, too!)

These days, SPEED is the name of the game when it comes to weeknight dinner at my house. I’m always on the hunt for fast dinner ideas that don’t compromise on flavor or nutrition, and these egg roll bowls have been one of our go-to easy dinner recipes since 2019. I though it was time to give this easy recipe a glow-up!

This egg roll in a bowl is a simple, healthy stir-fry that centers around lean protein and plenty of veggies, with a few shortcuts (like bagged cabbage slaw!) that save you time on prep. It’s basically a deconstructed egg roll without the egg roll wrapper!

It makes a great low carb dinner on its own, or you can try one of our favorite side dishes to go with it to fill out the meal even more. (More on that in a minute!)

But best of all, the ingredients are simple & straightforward. Let’s dive in!

Simple Ingredients For Egg Roll Bowls

You’ll need a mix of fresh ingredients & pantry staples to get started!

• Ground Chicken (Or Turkey!). I like ground chicken best, but you can use ground turkey, lean ground pork, or even lean ground beef depending on what you have on hand!
• Onion. A little onion starts our savory base.
• Coleslaw Mix. For ease, I use a bag of coleslaw mix from the grocery store, but you can absolutely shred your own cabbage as needed! Use 5 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded purple cabbage, and 1/2 cup additional shredded carrot.
• Grated Carrots. I usually grate my own, but store-bought shredded carrots can work well, too. 
• Ginger & Garlic. Fresh garlic and ginger add a delicious flavor. I use frozen minced garlic & ginger to save time!
• Gluten-Free Tamari (or Coconut Aminos!). For a gluten-free option, we like low-sodium tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), but for a grain-free or paleo option, you can absolutely use coconut aminos instead.
• Rice Vinegar. A touch of rice wine vinegar lightens the flavor.
• Toasted Sesame Oil. For a final finish. Sesame oil is more delicate, so we leave it right till the end!
• Green Onions. For a final fresh pop of color & flavor!

How To Make An Egg Roll in A Bowl, Step By Step:

1. Cook The Chicken. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet (we recommend a 12-inch skillet!) over medium heat. Add ground chicken breast to the pan and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring to break the meat into small pieces until completely cooked through. (There will likely be a bit of water at the bottom of the pan. Don’t drain it.)
2. Add Aromatics. Next, add garlic, ginger, and diced onion to the cooked meat and cook an additional 3-4 minutes to soften slightly. The onion will begin to turn translucent.
3. Start Adding Veggies. Then, add grated carrot and 1/2 of the coleslaw mix. Drizzle with tamari, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until the cabbage starts to wilt a bit. 
4. Add Remaining Slaw and cook 1-2 minutes more, or until the cabbage is starting to soften. 
5. Finish With Green Onion. Sprinkle with sliced green onion and stir to combine. 
6. Serve & Store. Enjoy warm from the skillet. Store leftovers in an airtight container 3-4 days in the fridge. 

Play With The Flavors!

Our Egg Roll In A Bowl is delicious on its own, but if you’re looking for ways to add some extra flavor or play with the recipe, here are some of our favorite variations…

• Bang Bang Sauce. This restaurant copycat is delicious on egg roll bowls, shrimp, chicken, and more!
• Sriracha or Sriracha Mayo. For a bit of a kick, you can top egg roll bowl with a drizzle of sriracha sauce or a creamy sriracha mayo.
• Sweet & Sour Sauce. Or, try a little sweet & sour sauce drizzled on top! This homemade version has less sugar!
• Sweet Chili Sauce. For a tangy-sweet kick.
• Water Chestnuts. Some finely minced water chestnuts can add a subtle crunch. We love them in our Lettuce Wraps!
• Pork or Beef. Pork adds richer flavor than ground chicken or lean ground turkey, but almost any ground meat works!
• Five Spice Powder. To mimic the flavor in traditional egg rolls, you can add a pinch of five spice powder with the other seasonings. It’s strong, so start small!
• Sesame Seeds. For a satisfying crunch.
• Broccoli Slaw. For a bit more fiber and stronger flavor, you can swap out coleslaw for broccoli slaw. It’s made from shredded broccoli stems & small florets. It turns this into more of a stir-fry, but it can be delicious, too!
• Red Pepper Flakes. Add a little for some warmth, or a lot for some heat!
• Add An Egg! Get more protein by topping your bowl with a fried, poached, or soft-boiled egg (or two!)

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Egg Roll in A Bowl:

TRY IT OVER RICE!. If you’re not eating low-carb, serving this egg roll bowl mixture over white rice or brown rice can be a delicious way to fill out the meal a bit more!

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! (Note: unseasoned rice vinegar is whole30 approved, so long as it’s not sweetened!)

WHAT TO SERVE WITH EGG ROLL BOWLS. Besides some steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or extra vegetables, we love sliced mango or fresh fruit as a side dish. Something light and bright makes a nice contrast to the umami-rich egg roll stir fry and veggies.

⭐ Don’t forget to leave a star rating and comment below when you make our Egg Roll In A Bowl recipe. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!

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Originally shared March 2019. Fully updated with additional notes, new photos & video Jan 2024.