One-Skillet Egg Roll in a Bowl: Fast, Low-Carb Dinner

“All the flavor, less fuss.”

Weeknight dinners do not have to be complicated. This egg roll in a bowl gives you everything you love about the appetizer — cabbage, ginger, garlic, a savory sauce — without the deep fried wrapper. It comes together in one skillet, cleans up fast, and is ready in about 25 to 30 minutes.

This recipe is for busy women balancing work, family, and health who want a comforting meal that is quick and flexible. Use ground turkey, pork, chicken, or even tofu. Brown the protein, add aromatics, stir in cabbage, finish with a little sesame oil, and dinner is served. Serve it as a low carb bowl, tuck it into lettuce cups, or pair it with rice for a heartier plate.

In this article: 

Quick Recipe Card

This quick recipe card is perfect if you already know the dish and just want a quick glimpse. If you're not, scroll down and check our Step-by-Step recipe.

🍳 Egg Roll in a Bowl 

Prep 10 min, cook 15–20 min, serves 4

Ingredients:

• ground turkey or pork 1 lb,

• thinly shredded cabbage 

• 1 medium head or 1 bag coleslaw mix

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• 1 small onion sliced

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced

• 2–3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• ½ cup chicken broth

• salt, pepper, green onions and sesame seeds to garnish.

Method: 

1) Brown meat and drain excess fat. 

2) Sauté onion, garlic, ginger and add carrots. 

3) Add cabbage, broth, soy and vinegar; cover and steam until tender. 

4) Stir in sesame oil, garnish, serve.

Step-by-step method 

Prepare all the ingredients in the Quick Recipes part, then look carefully at these steps:

Prep fast

If you have a food processor, pulse the cabbage for quick shredding. Otherwise, quarter a head of cabbage, remove the core, and slice thinly across the grain. Shredded carrots from a bag are fine, or grate whole carrots for more texture. Mince the garlic and grate or finely chop the ginger.

Brown the meat

Heat a large skillet over medium high. Add a splash of oil and the ground meat. Use a potato masher or spatula to break it into small pieces as it browns. Let it sit a moment between stirs so it can develop a bit of color. Browning gives you more flavor than simply stirring continuously. Once browned, move the meat to one side or remove it briefly to finish in the same pan.

Build the flavor

Lower the heat to medium. Add onion and a tablespoon of oil if needed. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds to wake up the aromatics but not burn them. Return the meat to the pan. Add the carrots and stir for a minute.

Steam the cabbage

Pour in the broth, soy sauce or tamari, and rice vinegar. Add the cabbage and stir to combine. Cover the pan and let it cook on medium low for 10 to 15 minutes until the cabbage is tender but still has some bite. If the pan looks dry, add a splash more broth. Uncover and let any excess liquid reduce briefly so the flavors concentrate.

Finish and garnish

Turn off the heat and swirl in sesame oil for fragrance. Taste and adjust salt or soy; if it needs brightness, a squeeze of lime lifts it. Serve with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. For heat, add red pepper flakes or sriracha at the table.

Seasoning tips

Taste as you go. If soy is too salty, dilute with a splash more broth and a little rice vinegar. For deeper umami, add a teaspoon of fish sauce—use sparingly, a little goes a long way.

What to Serve With 

🍚Low carb sides: cauliflower rice, quick steamed bok choy, or an Asian cucumber salad. If you want carbs, serve jasmine or basmati rice, or a scoop of Instant Pot rice. For something in between, try lightly toasted noodles or sticky rice.

🫙Sauces and toppers: peanut sauce, sriracha mayo, extra soy, or a fried egg make great finishes. For family style, set out bowls of toppings — sliced scallions, sesame seeds, crunchy water chestnuts, and chili sauce — so everyone can customize their bowl.

Easy Swaps and Diet Notes

Protein swaps

Use ground chicken, lean ground beef, or extra firm tofu for a vegetarian version. For plant based protein, cooked chickpeas or crumbled tempeh work well.

Keto and low carb

Keto is short for ketogenic, a very low carb, high fat approach. Serve the egg roll bowl over cauliflower rice and skip any added sweeteners to keep carbs low. Use coconut aminos in place of soy for a lower sodium and gluten free option. Coconut aminos are a soy free sauce with a milder, slightly sweet flavor.

Gluten and sodium

Swap tamari for soy to reduce gluten risk, and choose low sodium broth and low sodium soy to control salt. Add acid like rice vinegar or lime to boost flavor without more salt.

Veggie add-ins

Chinese broccoli, bok choy, zucchini, mushrooms, or water chestnuts add variety and texture. Add tender greens toward the end so they wilt but stay bright.

Kid friendly

Hold the heat and fish sauce for little ones; offer sriracha on the side for grown ups.

Meal Prep, Storage, Reheating 

Make ahead: Cook the full batch and cool completely before storing in airtight containers. Refrigerate up to four days. The flavors often deepen overnight.

Freezing: Portion into freezer safe containers for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Note: texture of some vegetables softens after freezing, so frozen portions are best for hot bowls or wraps.

Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium with a splash of broth to loosen, or microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and fresh scallions to restore brightness.

Batch-cook tips: Double the recipe on Sunday. Use leftovers for lettuce cups, rice bowls, or fried rice the next day.

Troubleshooting + Quick FAQs

Bitter cabbage? Slice thinner or mix green and purple cabbage. A splash of rice vinegar brightens the flavor.

Too salty? Add more shredded cabbage or a spoonful of plain yogurt if you are not following Whole30. A little extra rice does the trick too.

Soggy veggies? Don’t add too much broth at once. Cook uncovered at the end to reduce liquid.

Want more sauce? Make a quick glaze: 1 tbsp soy, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp honey warmed and spooned over each bowl.

Can I add an egg? Yes. A fried or poached egg makes the bowl richer and adds protein.

Nutrition & Midlife Health Notes

This bowl gives you a strong protein base, which helps preserve muscle as hormones shift in midlife. Protein also supports satiety so you are less likely to reach for snacks between meals. The cabbage and carrots add fiber and vitamins that support digestion and steady blood sugar. Watch sodium from soy sauce and broth if you have blood pressure concerns. Low sodium tamari or coconut aminos and extra acid like rice vinegar or lime help keep flavor bright without extra salt. Healthy fats from sesame oil and optional toasted seeds or nuts help your body absorb fat soluble nutrients and make the meal feel satisfying.

Takeaways

More Recipes

1. 5 Overnight Oats Recipes That Make Mornings Effortless

2. Light Broccoli Pasta for Busy Midlife Nights

3. Eat with the Seasons: Easy Recipes to Support Midlife Wellbeing

4. Healthy and Easy Drinks: Alcohol free cocktails, boba tea, and calming lattes