I love this deconstructed egg roll in a bowl—it’s a one‑skillet, low‑carb dish that delivers all the familiar flavors of an egg roll without the wrapper. With ground turkey, shredded cabbage and carrots, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and a dash of soy sauce, it comes together in about 30 minutes and makes cleanup a breeze.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how quick and easy this dish is—ready in under 30 minutes using just one skillet and pantry‑friendly ingredients I usually have on hand. It’s protein‑packed, veggie‑filled, and perfect for paleo, keto, Whole30, or low‑carb eating. Plus it’s endlessly customizable: I can switch protein, freshen up with extra veggies, or turn up the umami with coconut aminos.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
-
1 pound ground turkey
-
1 small sweet onion, finely diced
-
1 cup shredded carrots
-
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
-
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
-
¼ cup chicken broth
-
1 small head cabbage (about 8 cups shredded)
-
3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
-
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
-
¾ teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Optional toppings: cooked white rice, green onions, toasted sesame seeds, sriracha mayo.
directions
-
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it up until nearly done.
-
Push turkey to one side and add remaining olive oil and diced onion. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
-
Stir in carrots, garlic, and ginger; cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
-
Pour in chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom.
-
Add shredded cabbage, soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, then cover and reduce heat to medium‑low. Cook for 12–15 minutes until cabbage is tender.
-
Remove lid, stir in sesame oil, and adjust seasoning.
-
Serve hot—over cauliflower rice or with white rice if not keeping it low‑carb—and top with green onions, sesame seeds, or sriracha mayo as desired.
Servings and timing
-
Servings: 4
-
Prep time: 10 minutes
-
Cook time: 20 minutes
-
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
-
Add an egg: I sometimes top mine with a fried or poached egg for extra richness.
-
Loaded veggies: I’ll toss in veggies like zucchini, Chinese broccoli, or squash.
-
Vegetarian: I swap turkey for tofu or chickpeas for a plant‑based twist.
-
Extra umami: I’ll add a splash of coconut aminos or a drop of sesame paste.
-
Crunchy touch: Adding water chestnuts at the end gives a nice crunch.
-
Spicy kick: Sriracha mayo, sriracha, or gochujang are my go‑to spicy toppings.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. I don’t recommend freezing—cabbage gets watery when thawed. I reheat on the stove over medium‑low for best texture, though microwaving works in a pinch.
FAQs
How can I make this dish gluten‑free?
I use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce to keep it gluten‑free.
Can I use coleslaw mix instead of shredding cabbage and carrots?
Absolutely—I sometimes use a 16‑oz bag of coleslaw mix for convenience, though I find freshly shredded veggies taste a bit better.
Is this recipe suitable for Whole30?
Yes—if I replace soy sauce with coconut aminos and skip any added sugar, it fits the Whole30 diet perfectly.
What meat can I substitute for turkey?
I’ve used ground chicken and lean ground beef. Both work great and offer slightly different flavor profiles.
Can I make this ahead?
I’ll prep veggies and turkey ahead of time, then cook when ready. The finished dish reheats well and still tastes fresh.
Conclusion
This Egg Roll in a Bowl is one of my favorite weeknight meals—it’s fast, flexible, flavorful, and fuss‑free. Whether I’m short on time, watching carbs, or feeding a crowd, it delivers every time. I love having it in my regular dinner rotation and hope it becomes a favorite for you, too!
PrintEgg Roll in a Bowl (Paleo · Keto)
A quick and easy deconstructed egg roll in a bowl made with ground turkey, cabbage, and carrots, seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for low-carb, keto, or paleo diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 small head cabbage (about 8 cups shredded)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Optional toppings: cooked white rice, green onions, toasted sesame seeds, sriracha mayo
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it up until nearly done.
- Push turkey to one side and add remaining olive oil and diced onion. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in carrots, garlic, and ginger; cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom.
- Add shredded cabbage, soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, then cover and reduce heat to medium‑low. Cook for 12–15 minutes until cabbage is tender.
- Remove lid, stir in sesame oil, and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot—over cauliflower rice or with white rice if not keeping it low‑carb—and top with green onions, sesame seeds, or sriracha mayo as desired.
Notes
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free version.
- Coleslaw mix can be used as a shortcut for cabbage and carrots.
- Add a fried or poached egg on top for extra richness.
- To make vegetarian, substitute turkey with tofu or chickpeas.
- Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days; avoid freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg