There’s something about the crunch and spice of an egg roll that just hits differentbut what if you could skip the wrapper, the deep fryer, and the grease, and still get all that flavor in one skillet? That’s exactly what Egg Roll in a Bowl delivers. It’s savory, ginger-kissed ground pork and cabbage with that unmistakable sesame-soy finish, ready in twenty minutes flat.
I first made this on a rainy Tuesday in 2019 after my daughter asked for takeout and I had exactly one head of cabbage and a craving to prove a point. The smell of garlic and ginger hitting hot oil filled the kitchen so fast she wandered in asking what I orderedthen couldn’t believe it came from our own stove. After a decade of blogging and testing one-pan wonders, I can tell you this dish earns its weeknight MVP status every single time.
PrintEasy Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes
This Egg Roll in a Bowl is a fast and tasty weeknight meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s perfect for families wanting a healthy one pan dinner full of fresh vegetables and savory flavors.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
- ½ medium onion finely diced
- 1 medium carrot julienned or coarsely grated
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups green cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion optional for garnish
- ¼ tsp sesame seeds optional for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a large pan on medium-high heat and brown the ground beef for around 5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Mix in the diced onion and carrot, cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until the onion softens, stirring every so often.
- Add the minced garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Incorporate the cabbage, ground ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar, sautéing for 5 to 7 minutes until the cabbage is tender but slightly crisp.
- Take the pan off the heat and sprinkle with chopped green onion and sesame seeds if desired, then serve while hot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the kind of dinner that makes weeknights feel easy again. You get all the savory, gingery flavor of a crispy egg rollwithout the wrapper, the oil, or the wait. Just one skillet, twenty minutes, and you’re sitting down to a meal that tastes like takeout but feels so much lighter.
- Fast and forgiving: Everything cooks in one pan, and there’s no fussy technique to worry about.
- Sneaky healthy: Packed with cabbage, carrots, and lean proteinbut it doesn’t taste like diet food.
- Leftovers that shine: This actually gets better the next day when the flavors have had time to marry.
What You’ll Need (and Why It Works)
The magic here is in the simplicity. You’re building layers of flavor with just a handful of ingredientsmost of which you probably already have tucked in your pantry or crisper drawer.
Ground beef gives you that hearty, savory base. I use 85/15 because it’s lean enough to feel light but still has enough fat to keep things flavorful. Cabbage is the starit wilts down into tender, slightly sweet ribbons that soak up all that sesame and soy. The ginger and garlic bring warmth and punch, while a little sugar balances the salty soy sauce beautifully. And don’t skip the sesame oilit’s what makes the whole dish smell like your favorite takeout spot.
How It All Comes Together
You’ll start by browning the beef in a hot skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Once it’s no longer pink, toss in your diced onion and grated carrot and let them softenthis is where the sweetness starts building. After a quick stir with the garlic (just 30 seconds so it doesn’t burn), you’ll add the cabbage along with the ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
Everything cooks down together in about five to seven minutes. The cabbage should be tender but still have a little bitenobody wants mushy slaw. Pull it off the heat, sprinkle with green onion and sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy, and you’re done.
| Step | What to Do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown ground beef with olive oil, salt, and pepper | 5 minutes |
| 2 | Add onion and carrot, cook until soft | 5–7 minutes |
| 3 | Stir in garlic | 30 seconds |
| 4 | Add cabbage, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar | 5–7 minutes |
| 5 | Garnish and serve | 1 minute |
Tips to Make It Even Better
A food processor is your best friend hereuse it to shred the cabbage and grate the carrot in seconds. If you don’t have one, a box grater or even a sharp knife works just fine; it’ll just take a minute longer.
Pro Tip: Prep everything before you turn on the stove. This dish moves fast once you start cooking, and you don’t want to be frantically mincing garlic while your beef is browning.
Watch the cabbage closely toward the end. You want it tender with a little crunch leftnot soft and soggy. Pull it off the heat as soon as it starts to wilt and turn glossy.
How to Serve and Store
Serve this straight from the skillet while it’s still warm and fragrant. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also spoon it over rice, tuck it into lettuce cups, or even top it with a fried egg for breakfast the next morning.
| Storage | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days |
| Freezer | Freeze in portions for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in fridge |
| Reheat | Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals |
Leftovers taste even better the next day once everything has had a chance to mingle. Just add a splash of water or soy sauce when reheating to bring back a little moisture.
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FAQs ( Egg Roll in a Bowl )
What cabbage works best for this recipe?
Green cabbage is my top choice because it holds its shape well and provides the perfect crunch. Napa cabbage works too but gets softer faster. I recommend shredding it into thin strips for the most authentic texture that mimics traditional egg roll filling.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, this meal keeps well for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve overnight. Store it in airtight containers and reheat in a skillet over medium heat to restore some of the cabbage’s crispness.
What ground meat substitutes work well?
Ground turkey, chicken, or pork all work beautifully in this recipe. For a vegetarian version, try crumbled extra-firm tofu or plant-based ground meat. The key is browning whatever protein you choose well before adding the vegetables.
How do I prevent the cabbage from getting soggy?
Cook over medium-high heat and don’t overcrowd your pan. Add the cabbage in batches if needed and stir frequently. Most importantly, don’t cover the pan – this traps steam and makes everything mushy. The cabbage should be tender-crisp, not soft.
What are the best toppings for this stir-fry?
Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of sriracha are my go-to toppings. Chopped peanuts add great crunch, and a squeeze of lime brightens everything up. For extra indulgence, try a fried egg on top.
You’ll love how Egg Roll in a Bowl turns outsavory, gingery, and ready in just twenty minutes with that glossy, fragrant finish that fills your whole kitchen. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like a weeknight win every single time, especially when everyone comes back for seconds.
Try swapping ground pork for the beef if you want a more traditional egg roll vibe, or toss in a handful of mushrooms for extra earthiness. Leftovers reheat beautifully in a hot skillet with just a splash of soy sauce to bring back the moisture. A trick I learned from my mom’s kitchen: serve it over cauliflower rice for a lighter meal, or pile it into crispy wonton cups for an easy appetizer that looks way fancier than it actually is.
If this becomes a regular in your dinner rotation, I’d love to hear about ittag me with a photo or tell me how your family liked it. Did you grow up sneaking bites of egg rolls straight from the takeout bag? There’s something so comforting about bringing those flavors home, right into your own skillet. Save this one for busy nights, share it with a friend who needs an easy win, and enjoy every bite.
