This keto egg roll in a bowl is the perfect recipe when you’re craving Chinese takeout but don’t want to compromise your low carb diet. Full of fresh flavors and irresistible crunch, it’s a low carb staple that will keep you coming back!
If you find yourself short on time, recipes like this can be a lifesaver. Not only do they store well in the fridge for a few days, but the ingredients are simple and come together quickly. While you can shred your own cabbage for this recipe, a quick pre-shredded bag of coleslaw mix also works perfectly.
One of the best things about this keto egg roll in a bowl is that it’s easy to customize and make work for everyone. Oftentimes, we find a mix of different eating styles in the same house. While you may follow keto, a partner or kids may follow a standard diet that encourages more carbs.
To make the non-lowcarbers happy, you can prepare the recipe as written, then top it with a bag of wonton strips. No, they’re not keto-friendly, but the wonton strips are an excellent option to help fill out a meal for non-keto people in your house, so you don’t find yourself cooking dinner twice every night.
What is egg roll in a bowl?
Egg roll in a bowl is a delicious Asian-inspired dish made up of the ingredients that come inside an egg roll.
Because of this, egg roll in a bowl tastes like an egg roll… just without the wrapper.
If you’re reading this, you probably love tasty egg roll flavors as much as I do, but you understand that the crispy wrapper that holds the egg roll is (undeniably delicious, but…) too high in carbs to fit into a keto diet.
Why this recipe works
- Budget-friendly- Keto egg roll in a bowl is great on a budget. Depending on where you live, you can usually find coleslaw mix for less than $2. Typically, this recipe is less than $10 and makes 6-8 filling portions.
- Easy to make- If you’re new to keto or low carb, this recipe is great to have in rotation. Getting started on keto can feel overwhelming, but simple recipes like this keto egg roll in a bowl, can certainly make the transition easier.
- Delicious – This recipe has all the amazing flavors that come with a traditional egg roll, without all the extra carbs. It’s a great low carb staple to keep coming back to.
Ingredients
The ingredients for low carb egg roll in a bowl are centered around meat, vegetables, and seasonings.
All you need to recreate this delicious keto recipe is:
Ground Pork– Ground pork is the base for this dish, but you can use ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer. It really comes down to taste preference and what you enjoy. If you’re going to use pork, just be sure you grab plain ground pork and not pork sausage. Sausage has extra seasonings that can change the flavor of the dish.
Shredded Coleslaw Mix– A fresh mix of shredded cabbage and carrots. Depending on the brand, some have other ingredients such as red cabbage. Any coleslaw mix you prefer will work great as long as it’s shredded and doesn’t have any dressing mixed in.
Broccoli Slaw– I love broccoli slaw for the texture it adds to my egg roll in a bowl recipe. Typically this recipe is just made with coleslaw, but personally, I like a bit of crunch. Sometimes I find that low carb recipes leave me missing texture. The broccoli slaw is a mix of shredded broccoli stalks, carrots, and red cabbage. The broccoli stalks are on the thicker side, so they don’t cook down as soft and make the dish a little more interesting.
Soy Sauce- Soy sauce is low in carbs and technically acceptable for a keto diet. If you’re someone who steers clear, feel free to swap in coconut aminos for a gluten free/soy free alternative.
Garlic and Ground Ginger– Not only do they smell great, but garlic and ginger also add a ton of flavor. You can use the fresh or ground varieties of the seasonings. I’ve even used the refrigerated pastes before and found them to be an excellent option. Just look for the note on the side of the tube that tells you how much paste to use as a replacement for the ground seasoning.
Garlic Chili Sauce- This ingredient is optional if you’re not into spicy things. I like that it adds flavor and a bit of acidity to the dish. You can use sriracha or Huy Fong Garlic Chili Sauce. Both are delicious!
Toasted Sesame Oil- This is a great finishing oil. It adds a burst of flavor and a little fat to the meal. If you aren’t a huge fan of the taste, feel free to leave it out completely.
Toasted Sesame Seeds and Green Onions- Sesame seeds add the perfect crunch to this dish. You can add the garnishes to the entire pan or add them separately to each individual serving. It’s up to you whether you buy the sesame seeds toasted or toast them yourself, but if you choose the latter, it only takes a few extra minutes and it’s definitely worth the flavor. Additionally, the green onion adds a bright, fresh element to the meal that pulls everything together.
How to make egg roll in a bowl
1. To make keto egg roll in a bowl, the first thing you need to do is brown the meat. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground pork until fully cooked and no pink remains, usually about 7-10 minutes. Use a spatula to break the meat into small pieces. Pork doesn’t usually have fat to drain, but if you notice there’s a lot, you’ll want to drain the grease to keep it out of your finished dish. Add the garlic and a light sprinkle of salt and pepper into the skillet.
2. Next, you’ll add the coleslaw mix to the cooked pork. If you need a bigger pan at this point, feel free to switch it out. The cabbage will cook down, so in a few minutes, it will fit into the pan better. If you need to, feel free to add the coleslaw mix in batches. Once it’s cooked down a little and makes more space, you can add the remaining shredded cabbage. You’ll want to cook the cabbage until it begins to soften and starts to become translucent.
Once the coleslaw mix is cooked down, add the broccoli slaw. If you’re swapping out the broccoli slaw for more shredded cabbage, you can just add that now instead. Continue cooking it down for about 5-7 minutes until all the vegetables are softened but not mushy or breaking apart.
3. Pour the soy sauce into the mixture and gently stir. This is also the time to add salt and pepper, to your preferred taste. I like to give each layer a sprinkle of salt because it helps build the flavor. Some people may like less salt or be unable to eat very much salt, so it’s important to season intuitively to your preference.
4. Add the chili sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. At this point, your dish should look cohesive. The vegetables should be tender and mixed well with the meat.
5. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil, and top your keto egg roll in a bowl with green onions. Serve warm and store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for the best taste.
FAQ and Nutrition
It’s important to note that there are many different approaches to the ketogenic diet right now. While some choose to exclude certain ingredients, others practice under the assumption that anything fitting their daily carb allowance is permissible.
I’m not here to say which is correct, but rather to share recipes that work for low carb and keto diets. You won’t find flour, gluten, or added sugar in any of my recipes. I understand that some readers follow different rules and I respect that. When answering questions pertaining to keto-friendly ingredients, I use my personal viewpoint (such as veggies are good) and reasonable carb allowance that allows balance throughout the day.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and how you wish to/need to practice low carb for your own personal journey.
Is egg roll in a bowl healthy?
This recipe is loaded with vegetables and protein which are great for your body. It can be changed to meet your personal nutrition requirements (lean meat vs fattier meat, a drizzle of oil, etc) so the level of healthiness is truly in your hands.
How many carbs does egg roll in a bowl have?
This recipe has 8g of total carbs, 6g net carbs per serving.
8 grams total carbs minus 2 grams fiber = 6 grams net carbs.
Whether you’re counting total carbs or net carbs, these numbers are extremely reasonable for a protein and vegetable-filled meal that’s packed with nutrients.
Are egg roll wrappers keto friendly?
Typically egg roll wrappers are made with wheat flour which is not generally part of a ketogenic diet. One wrap can contain around 12g of carbs, which can be a large chunk of the ~20g many dieters are aiming to stay under in a day.
Is soy sauce keto?
Soy sauce is made from soybeans and can contain gluten. The amount of carbs in a serving makes this a permissible ingredient, but some people following a keto lifestyle may choose to exclude it. Coconut aminos are a great, soy-free alternative.
Are carrots keto?
Some people who follow a ketogenic lifestyle choose to exclude carrots in favor of getting as close to zero carbs as possible. Personally, I think they’re tasty, nutritional, and fit within the parameters of my personal nutrition. Those things make carrots a great part of my diet.
Does egg roll in a bowl contain egg?
Nope! I have seen people stir eggs into the mixture, but that’s really more of a fried rice thing. Egg roll wrappers have egg in them, but the actual filling does not. Since this recipe doesn’t utilize wrappers, this recipe is egg free.
Do I have to use grass fed and organic ingredients?
No. Honestly, I think you should buy whatever you like that fits your budget. For some, that’s grass fed and organic, for others it’s not. And that’s fine! It’s up to everyone to make the choice for themselves, and it certainly won’t affect this recipe (or any of my recipes) not to use them.
What to serve with egg roll in a bowl?
This isn’t a recipe that needs a side dish. It’s got the vegetables and meat all in one bowl!
Tips and Substitutions
- Don’t add water to the pan- it can be tempting to add water to speed up the process, but cabbage is full of water. As it cooks down, it will naturally add moisture to the dish. Adding excess water will boil the cabbage instead of stir fry and make it mushy.
- Brown the meat first- don’t be quick to add all the ingredients at once. Not only is it safer (because you can see uncooked pieces of meat easier) it also adds flavor to cook in layers.
- If you don’t like pork or don’t eat pork, you can swap out the pork in this recipe for ground chicken, or ground turkey. Ground beef would technically work too, but I think it’s a strong flavor for this type of recipe.
- Feel free to swap the broccoli slaw for equal amounts of coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage.
This recipe first appeared on Heyketomama
