With this deconstructed Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe you can enjoy the traditional flavors but in a healthier, Keto and low-carb way! (And in under 30 minutes!) Quickly cook up ground turkey, or another ground meat, with shredded cabbage, carrots, soy sauce and other Asian seasonings in one pot for an easy recipe the whole family will love!

Keto and low-carb egg roll in a bowl dinner recipe with chopsticks and a blue napkin.

Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe

It was exactly 5 years ago that I first created this easy egg roll bowl recipe.

Since then, it has been the all-time FAVORITE easy dinner recipe on the Evolving Table site, and I think I know why!

  • You get all of the delightful Asian flavors of a traditional egg roll but in an easier, deconstructed, inside-out fashion. 
  • It’s made with healty, low-carb and keto ingredients. (Shredded cabbage and ground turkey, to name a few!)
  • All cooked up in a large skillet or one-pot in less than 30 minutes!

Think you’ll miss that fried egg roll wrapper?! I promise you won’t.

(Want to take it up a notch? Next time drizzle some of this Sriracha Mayo made with sriracha sauce to give it a spicy kick!)

Low-Carb Egg Roll Bowl (Step-by-step Video)

Cabbage, ground turkey, carrots, garlic, and ginger as the ingredients for an egg roll in a bowl recipe.

Ingredients

  • Ground Turkey: A 93/7 ground turkey is my personal perference, but ground pork, ground chicken, or even a leaner ground beef can be used.
  • Cabbage: Thinly shredded cabbage is best. You’ll need about 1 medium head of cabbage. You can also do a mixture of purple and green cabbage to give it an extra pop of color. (Learn How to Shred Cabbage if you don’t already know!)
  • Carrots: Thinly shredded whole carrots or matchstick carrots can be used.
  • Onion: A sweet onion is used but red or yellow may be substituted. Green onions also make a wonderful addition when serving.
  • Ginger & garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic are both used to add a zippy punch of flavor.  To make things easier you can buy the pre-peeled garlic and use ginger paste.
  • Soy sauce: Traditional soy sauce works great if you are not avoiding soy or gluten. Tamari Sauce is my favorite soy sauce substitution if you are gluten-free. Finally, liquid coconut aminos are free from gluten and soy and make a great Whole30 and Paleo substitute. Use low sodium soy sauce if you are watching your sodium intake.
  • Vinegar: Rice vinegar delivers the most authentic flavor. Apple cider vinegar is the second best one to use and is a great Whole30 and Paleo substitute for rice vinegar. White wine vinegar will work if that is all you have.
  • Sesame Oil: Do not leave this very important ingredient out! It gives this dish a unique flavor.

Recipe Tip

Instead of shredding your own cabbage and carrots, you can buy a bag of coleslaw mix without the dressing to save time!

How to Make Egg Roll in a Bowl

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and ingredient measurements.

1. Cut the Cabbage

How thinly you shred the cabbage makes a big difference on the finished recipe. For the cabbage, it is best to slice it with a very sharp knife and cut it no thicker than ¼- to ½-inch thick.

If you didn’t buy matchstick carrots, you’ll need to shred the carrots using either a large food processor or a cheese grater.

(Learn more about how to shred cabbage if you’re not sure where to start. Or quickly julienne cut the carrots!)

Finely sliced green cabbage as an ingredient in an egg roll in a bowl recipe.

2. Cook the Ground Meat

Cook the meat in a large skillet over medium or medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, or until it is almost cooked through. Be sure to break up the meat as it is cooking so there are no big pieces. (I use a potato masher to do this!)

Browned meat and onions are cooked in a skillet.

3. Mix in Veggies and Seasonings

Push the cooked meat to the side of the pan and add the onion and the other tablespoon of oil. Sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add shredded carrots, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 2 more minutes. Stir the vegetables and turkey together.

Pour the chicken broth in the pan and scrape the bottom of it to deglaze it. 

Add the cabbage, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well and cover with a lid. 

Cabbage is added to the mixture in the skillet.

4. Cook Cabbage and Serve

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until cabbage is to your desired tenderness. Just before serving add toasted sesame oil and stir to combine. 

Top with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. Or sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. You can serve it over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice or enjoy it by itself!

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. (This makes a great recipe to meal prep for busy weeks!)

Want to up-level the flavor even more? Try a drizzle of some Sriracha Mayo or even this easy Peanut Sauce recipe!

A metal spatula scooping up some shredded cabbage and ground turkey from a large skillet.

What is Egg Roll in a Bowl?

An Egg Roll in a Bowl combines all the flavors and fillings of a traditional egg roll, but skips the wrapper. This method is great when you are looking to cut calories or carbohydrates.

FAQs

What’s typically in an egg roll? 

Usually, egg rolls contain vegetables like cabbage, carrots, or onions along with meat, typically pork, turkey, or shrimp.

Is egg roll in a bowl low calorie? 

Full of fresh ingredients, a serving of egg roll in a bowl is under 300 calories, making it a relatively low-calorie food option.

Does egg roll in a bowl freeze well? 

Unfortunately, egg roll in a bowl does NOT freeze well. The cabbage will wilt and lose its flavor and texture.

Recipe Tips

  • Make it colorful. Use different varieties of cabbage—green or purple cabbage both taste great!
  • Choose your favorite. Ground beef, turkey, or pork all are fantastic in the recipe.
  • Adjust to your meal plan. If you’re not on a Paleo, keto, or Whole30 diet you can use regular gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari instead.
  • Pack a punch. Load it up with even MORE vegetables. Chinese broccoli, zucchini, and squash would taste great in here, too.
  • Top it off. This dish is fantastic on white or brown rice. Or make it healthier on riced cauliflower. But, it is also delicious by itself!

What to Serve with Egg Roll in a Bowl?

This recipe is already pretty filling on its own, but you can serve it with any of these simple sides.

Asian Cucumber SaladAir Fryer AsparagusChinese Green Beans are all excellent greens.

If you don’t mind carbs, serve it with Instant Pot White RiceWhite RiceBasmati Rice, or Jasmine Rice.

Or top this dish with some Asian Ginger Dressing.

Tap stars to rate!

4.96 from 192 votes

Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe

With this deconstructed Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe you can enjoy ALL of the delicious flavors you love but in a healthier, Keto and low-carb way! Quickly cook up ground turkey with shredded cabbage, carrots, soy sauce and other Asian seasonings in one pot for an easy 30-minute meal.
A metal spatula scooping up some shredded cabbage and ground turkey from a large skillet.
Yield 4 servings
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 Tbsp. oil avocado or olive, divided
  • 1 lb. ground turkey pork or beef, 90/10 or 93/7
  • 1 ½ cups sweet onion finely diced
  • 1 cup carrots shredded
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • ½ tsp. ginger paste or minced ginger
  • ¼ cup chicken broth regular sodium
  • 6 cups shredded cabbage cut into ¼-inch shreds
  • 3 Tbsp. soy sauce Tamari or coconut aminos, gluten-free*
  • 1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ tsp. salt to taste
  • ¼ tsp. pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  • Toasted sesame seeds optional
  • Green onions optional

Instructions 

  • Cook Ground Meat: In a large saute pan over medium heat drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil and add ground meat. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until turkey is almost cooked through.
    2 Tbsp. oil, 1 lb. ground turkey
  • Sauté and Deglaze: Push turkey to the side of the pan and add onion and other tablespoon of oil. Sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add shredded carrots, garlic, and ginger and saute for 2 minutes. Stir the vegetables and turkey together. Pour chicken broth in the pan and scrape the bottom of it to deglaze it.
    1 ½ cups sweet onion, 1 cup carrots, 3 cloves garlic, ½ tsp. ginger paste, ¼ cup chicken broth
  • Mix in Cabbage and Seasonings: Add cabbage, coconut aminos or soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until cabbage is to your desired tenderness.
    6 cups shredded cabbage, 3 Tbsp. soy sauce, 1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar, ¾ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper
  • Finish with Toppings: Add toasted sesame oil just before serving and top with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve over regular rice, cauliflower rice, or eat it in a bowl by itself.
    1 tsp. toasted sesame oil, Green onions, Toasted sesame seeds

Tap stars to rate!

4.96 from 192 votes

Video

Notes

*Recipe was updated on 11/6/23 to include an additional cup of cabbage, tablespoon of soy sauce, teaspoon of rice vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Prep-Ahead Instructions
This is the perfect make-ahead dish, the flavor marries as it sits, so you can prepare it a couple of days in advance. Or, simply shred the carrots and cabbage the day before to have them ready.
Storage Directions
Egg roll in a bowl can be refrigerated for up to 3 to 5 days. I would not recommend freezing this recipe. Excess water will accumulate after thawing and make the cabbage mushy. Warm up leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat for the best taste and texture. You can also warm it up in the microwave, but it will be soggier.
Recipe Tips
  • Make it colorful. Use different varieties of cabbage—green or purple cabbage both taste great!
  • Choose your favorite. Ground beef, turkey, or pork all are fantastic in the recipe.
  • Adjust to your meal plan. If you’re not on a Paleo, keto, or Whole30 diet you can use regular gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari instead.
  • Pack a punch. Load it up with even MORE vegetables. Chinese broccoli, zucchini, and squash would taste great in here, too.
  • Top it off. This dish is fantastic on white or brown rice. Or make it healthier on riced cauliflower. But, it is also delicious by itself!

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 1134mg, Potassium: 742mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 5481IU, Vitamin C: 45mg, Calcium: 78mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wow! I made this and it taste just like an egg roll. I used purple cabbage in place of the green.
    The egg roll bowl is so delicious also it is healthy and gluten free.

    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Tanya! It’s the best of both worlds. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!

    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Gail! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!

    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Chauvonna! Sounds tasty. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!