Egg Roll in a Bowl

Egg Roll in a Bowl is a recipe that has all the flavor of the original, but is low-carb, Keto, Whole30, and Paleo. Healthy seasoned ground turkey along with shredded cabbage, carrots, and Asian flavors come together in one pot for a delicious, deconstructed egg roll. This easy, inside-out dish is quick to meal prep, ready in under 30 minutes, and perfect for busy weeks.

This egg roll in a bowl is one of those rare dishes that is a hit wherever it goes.

You get all of the flavors of a traditional egg roll but in an easier, deconstructed, inside-out fashion.

All of the delightful Asian flavors meld together in a harmonious medley of low-carb cabbage and ground turkey bliss.

Make a batch of this easy one-pot dinner recipe… because it takes less than 30 minutes!! (Or double the batch and meal prep it for the week!)

I don’t know about you, but I sure do feel crummy after eating a traditional egg roll. Maybe it’s the grease it’s fried in or the gluten-filled wrapper. Who needs the wrapper when you have all of the inside goodness in one enormous bowl?

But did you know all of the ingredients INSIDE of the egg roll are actually pretty good for you?

So let’s take all of those nutritious ingredients out, toss ’em around in a skillet, and make a healthier, keto and Paleo friendly dinner recipe!

Ingredients

So here are the ingredients inside of an egg roll that we’ll need for this deconstructed version:

• Ground Turkey: Traditionally ground pork is used.  To make this recipe healthier you can either use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground beef, instead.
• Cabbage: Green cabbage was used in this recipe.  You can also do a mixture of purple and green cabbage to give it an extra pop of color.
• Carrots: This one-pot dish would not be complete without this colorful vegetable.  Make sure to read below about the best way to shred carrots for this recipe.
• 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 instead.
• 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 for soy sauce.
• Vinegar: Rice wine vinegar is the most traditional variety used and delivers the most authentic flavor. Apple cider vinegar is second best one to use and is a great Whole30 and Paleo substitute for rice vinegar. White wine vinegar is not the best substitute, but it 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.

Pro 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

Below you will find the step-by-step instructions that will show you how to make this easy dinner recipe.:

Shred the Carrots and Cabbage

How thinly you shred the carrots and cabbage makes a big difference on the finished recipe. Too thin, and it will be soggy. And thick pieces will end up hard.

The best way to shred the carrots for this recipe is to use a large food processor. If you buy matchstick carrots, they will need to be cooked longer to make sure they are soft enough.

For the cabbage, it is best to slice it with a very sharp knife and cut it no thicker than ¼-½ inch thick.

Learn more about how to shred cabbage if you’re not sure where to start.

Sauté the Meat

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the ground turkey.

Heat the meat for 5-6 minutes, or until turkey is almost cooked through. Be sure to break up the meat as it is cooking so there are no big pieces.

Add in Veggies

Push turkey 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, coconut aminos or soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well and cover with a lid. 

Simmer 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 this dish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a flavorful kick. You can serve it over white or brown rice or cauliflower rice. You can also enjoy it by itself!

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep-Ahead: 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.
• To Store: Egg roll in a bowl can be refrigerated for up to 3 to 5 days. 
• To Freeze: I would not recommend freezing this recipe. Excess water will accumulate after thawing and make the cabbage mushy.
• To Reheat: 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.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already dairy-free and low-carb as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Vegetarian: Opt for a non-meat alternative, like tofu, or leave it out. Replace the chicken broth with a vegetable variety.
• Soy-free and gluten-free: Be sure to use liquid aminos for soy-free or Tamari Sauce to be gluten-free.
• Whole30: Serve this with cauliflower rice or eat it plain.
• Paleo: Stick with coconut aminos instead of soy or Tamari.

FAQs

Expert 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!

Make it a Meal

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

• Asian Cucumber Salad
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Instant Pot White Rice
• Asian Ginger Dressing

More Low-Carb Dinner Recipes

If you are looking for other delicious meals that are low in carbs, try one of these next:

• Reuben in a Bowl
• Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
• Zucchini Lasagna
• Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Spaghetti Squash Carbonara