Easy Beef Egg Roll Bowl
This easy egg roll in a bowl recipe combines juicy ground beef with coleslaw mix and savory, Asian-style seasonings. Served alone, this egg roll in a bowl recipe is keto-friendly and low-carb. Or, I’ll serve it with rice or ramen for a flexible, family-friendly dinner. It’s ready in one pan in 20 minutes!
Table of Contents
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Asian
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Keto
- Skill Level: Easy
Any given weeknight, you’ll find Asian-style dinners like Beef Stir Fry and Orange Chicken at my table. Inspired by Chinese takeout, this keto egg roll in a bowl is family-friendly, ready in 20 minutes, and flexible. I make mine with juicy ground beef, convenient coleslaw mix, and seasonings like ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
All About This Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
This meal has all the savory, umami flavor of an egg roll filling, minus the carbs and deep-frying. You’ll love it because it’s:
- Quick to make. This egg roll in a bowl recipe is made in one pan with almost no prep work.
- Budget-friendly. I make this dish with affordable ground meat and (mostly) pantry staples.
- Diet approved. My egg roll in a bowl is low-carb as-is, and easy to make keto-friendly, gluten-free, paleo, or Whole 30.
- Adaptable. Serve it with fluffy jasmine rice or noodles if your family isn’t low-carb. You can also adjust the recipe for spice, protein, and add-ins, like veggies.
Recipe Ingredients
An egg roll in a bowl is basically a deconstructed version of takeout egg rolls. It consists of seasoned ground meat and stir-fried veggies, minus the wrapping and frying. Here’s what you’ll need. Remember, the full amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ground Beef: While sausage is often used in egg rolls and egg roll bowls, I usually use ground beef because I almost always have a package in the fridge or freezer. Ground turkey or chicken can also be substituted, though you may want to bump up the seasonings.
- Coconut Oil: Or another neutral oil, like canola or avocado oil.
- Sesame Oil: You only need a small amount, but it really adds that authentic egg roll flavor. Peanut butter is a good substitute in a pinch.
- Ginger: You can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger or 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger or ginger paste.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a bit of heat. A dash of sriracha or hot sauce also works, or you can omit the chili if you’re sensitive to spice.
- Soy Sauce: Make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos. You can also use regular soy sauce if you’re not making this dish gluten-free. The flavors are slightly different, though, so adjust to taste.
- Coleslaw Mix: Or an equal amount of shredded cabbage. You can use different vegetables or even add additional ones, like mushrooms, bell peppers, and carrots, as long as they’re finely minced.
- Rice vinegar – White wine vinegar and cider vinegar are good substitutes for that bit of acidity. If you are gluten free, watch out for seasoned rice vinegar, which isn’t always gluten free. Unseasoned usually is, but check your labels.
- Garlic – If you don’t have fresh garlic, use a half-teaspoon of garlic powder per fresh clove.
How to Make This Egg Roll in a Bowl
Follow the steps below to whip up this satisfying dinner in one pan and 4 easy steps.
- Cook the beef. Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet. Brown the ground beef over the heat and drain any excess grease.
- Add seasonings: Add in the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Follow this up with the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Combine with the cabbage. Stir in the coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage and cook until it starts to wilt a bit.
- Serve! Gather your bowls and dish up. Drizzle some Sriracha or another hot sauce over the bowl before serving, plus some sliced scallions, if desired.
Tips and Variations
- Watch the sodium. Add a little soy sauce at a time until you have the best flavor. You can always add, but never take away!
- Use good-quality ground meat. Since ground beef is the star of this egg roll dish, make sure you use quality meat for the best flavors and results. The same goes if you swap beef with chicken, turkey, or pork.
- Add seasonings. Speaking of using different proteins, if you’re using a leaner or milder ground meat like chicken or turkey, I’d suggest boosting the seasonings slightly. This can be as easy as adding a little extra soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Keto egg roll in a bowl. Use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce. Use shredded cabbage instead of coleslaw mix, and plain rice vinegar (versus seasoned rice vinegar that will contain extra sugars).
- Paleo or Whole 30. Substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos. As with the keto version, it’s best to avoid seasoned rice vinegar.
- More vegetables. Just like a stir-fry, this egg roll in a bowl recipe is an excellent “fridge dinner”. Instead of or in addition to the coleslaw mix, you can add in finely chopped mushrooms, spring onions, bell peppers, or carrots.
- Make it spicy. Amp up the heat with extra chili flakes, hot sauce, or diced hot peppers.
Make-Ahead
You can cook the ground beef ahead of time and freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. However, I’d recommend keeping the other ingredients separate until you’re ready to thaw and reheat it. To serve, allow the beef to thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat it in a skillet before adding in the other ingredients, then cook as usual.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate. If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store the ground beef egg roll mixture in an airtight container.
- Reheat. Warm leftovers in the microwave with a splash of soy sauce or water (to keep it from drying out).
Make It a Meal
I love my egg roll in a bowl drizzled with chili sauce or hot sauce, or oyster sauce to boost the umami. Another great way to bump up the flavor is with gluten-free, homemade teriyaki sauce, Bang Bang sauce, or peanut sauce for an extra layer of flavor. In short, you can serve this recipe in so many creative ways! Here are some suggestions:
- Rice and noodles. Serve your deconstructed egg rolls over rice, or ramen or lo mein noodles. You can also make it low-carb and serve it over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash.
- Toppings. Sprinkle over wonton strips or crispy Chinese noodles. If you are gluten free and need some crunch, try water chestnuts. And toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor.
- Salads. Swap out the meatballs in this Banh Mi Salad with egg roll filling instead.
- Lettuce wraps. Scoop your favorite variations into lettuce cups, roll them up, and enjoy easy Asian-style lettuce wraps!
- Rice paper rolls. Use this egg roll filling in place of the shrimp in my rice paper rolls recipe.
- Asian-style sides. Serve this egg roll in a bowl alongside these gluten-free vegetable pancakes, sautéed broccolini, or this Thai chicken noodle soup. Try these homemade mochi donuts for dessert!
More Easy Ground Beef Dinner Ideas
Egg Roll in a Bowl
This easy egg roll in a bowl is a family-friendly dinner recipe made with juicy ground beef, coleslaw mix, and savory, Asian-style seasonings. It's ready in one pan in under 20 minutes!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon dried ground ginger (or 1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger or ginger paste)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari (can substitute coconut aminos, but may need to add salt to taste at the end)
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- one 12-16 oz bag coleslaw mix
- sriracha or other hot sauce, sliced scallions for serving, if desired
Instructions
- In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 teaspoon coconut oil over medium heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking up as it cooks. Drain excess grease, if desired.
- Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and saute for a minute or two.
- Stir in 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari, 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil.
- Add one 12-16 oz bag coleslaw mix and stir in until heated through and slightly wilted, which should take just another three or four minutes.
- Spoon into bowls and serve with sriracha or other hot sauce, sliced scallions , if desired.
Notes
Storage:
- Store leftovers airtight in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze ground beef mixture for up to 3 months.
- Chicken or Turkey Egg Roll Bowls: Substitute an equal amount of ground turkey or chicken in place of beef.
- Gluten Free Egg Roll Bowls: Substitute tamari or gluten free soy sauce.
- Low Carb Keto Egg Roll Bowls: Use gluten-free tamari in place of soy sauce. If you prefer to avoid all soy products, use coconut aminos (though this is higher in carbs than soy sauce or tamari). You may also prefer to use a coleslaw mix that does not contain carrots, or use only shredded cabbage. Lastly, opt for plain rice vinegar, and not a seasoned rice vinegar that contains added sugar.
- Paleo or Whole 30 Egg Roll Bowls: Substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos, and, as with the keto version, avoid seasoned rice vinegar.
- Egg Roll Rice or Noodle Bowl: Serve over rice or rice ramen noodles.
- Low Carb Egg Roll Rice or Noodle Bowl: Follow the keto variation and serve over cauliflower rice, shirataki noodles, or spaghetti squash.
- Egg Roll Lettuce Wraps: Using any variation you prefer, scoop the egg roll mixture into lettuce cups.
Nutrition Facts
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Amount Per Serving
Calories 298
Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Cholesterol 77mg26%
Sodium 908mg38%
Potassium 558mg16%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 148IU3%
Vitamin C 42mg51%
Calcium 65mg7%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
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This recipe should win some kind of an award. It’s ridiculously easy and so flavorful. Honestly tasted just like takeout and it was ready so fast. We are making it again tonight. I’m going to add a half of an onion to it because I love the onion flavor of the scallions, but scallions don’t always agree with me.
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate this!
Our extended family loves this recipe. Such an easy, healthy take on a favorite Chinese food that’s typically deep-fried and greasy.
Hands down an easy, one pot meal that was super delicious! We had no leftovers. We did sub Trader Joe’s broccoli slaw and white vinegar. This will definitely be in our rotation!
Haven’t made recipe yet but Keto is not healthy if you have heart problems. There is too much fat in the diet. Will make these with coleslaw mix. They sound yummy.
Different ways of eating work better for different people, so feel free to adjust for yourself. I opt for lean ground beef because I am not keto, but I do like to watch my carb intake sometimes. However, for those that need a keto diet, they can also enjoy this dish.
Fast, Easy and Awesome. Will make again!
Great recipe! Very easy to make, most of the ingredients are a pantry household staple. I only had to pick up a few items. Simple and absolutely delicious. Thank you so much
This is my second time making this recipe, making enough for not only my husband and me but also for my daughter and her family (total servings, 6). We like it served over Asian rice noodles. Tasty and quick to make! Thanks, Brianne.
I hate keto….not healthy . However, I tried this recipe because I love cabbage dishes. This recipe is good and it is easy. I used veg oil instead of coconut oil. Added rice as a side dish.
So glad you liked it! I am not keto, but don’t eat a lot of grains because they are hard on my stomach. But my kids love eating this over rice or ramen noodles. It’s such a flexible recipe.
Love this,added bell pepper( yellow and orange) and celery, also onion. Top with shrimp cooked in garlic and olive oil. Yum!
Keto is very healthy and my entire family is on it and results are amazing in dropping weight and my dad’s doc is shocked of how well it has helped him. He is no off more then half his medications including cholesterol, no longer diabetic and we all have had great results.
Good to hear!