Egg Roll in a Bowl Is a Low-Carb Twist on the Takeout Classic — That Tastes Even Better!

If you’re like us, no Chinese takeout dinner is complete without an order of egg rolls. We can’t get enough of the shredded cabbage and more stuffed inside a perfectly crispy fried wrapper. So when we heard that keto devotees were buzzing about a low-carb version, our curiosity was piqued. Dubbed “egg roll in a bowl”, it features the irresistible flavors and ingredients of a traditional egg roll, just enjoyed out of a bowl without the wrapper. And even if you don’t want to eat low-carb, we’re sure you’ll be a big fan too, especially since it’s super easy to prep and ready in under 30 minutes. Here’s everything to know about an egg roll in a bowl.

What is an egg roll in a bowl?

Think of this dish as a deconstructed egg roll minus the wrapper. At its core, an egg roll in a bowl contains meat, shredded vegetables and seasonings like soy sauce, garlic and ginger that are stir-fried together until tender. Skipping the wrapper drastically lowers the carb content, making this dish a favorite among keto fans. (For more easy low-carb recipes, check out these lazy keto meals.)

How many carbs are in an egg roll in a bowl?

One meal-size serving of an egg roll in a bowl contains 10.6 grams of carbohydrates, with 7 grams of “net carbs” (that’s total carbs minus fiber). Compare that to just one regular fried egg roll, which has 24 grams of carbohydrates.

Another perk of eating an egg roll in a bowl: It’s not fried in tons of oil like the appetizer version. So you’re avoiding a greasy fried dish that could otherwise trigger weight gain, inflammation and drain your energy. Overall, this twist on a classic appetizer is delicious, nutritious and fun to make once you’ve got all of the ingredients prepped and ready to cook! (Click through to discover another low-carb option: lettuce-wrapped burgers.)

How to make an egg roll in a bowl

In addition to being a low-carb version of an egg roll, Jessica Randhawa, recipe creator behind The Forked Spoon, notes that this dish is a speedy weeknight meal. “Creating an egg roll in a bowl at home is a simple process that combines a range of tasty ingredients cooked together to give you the flavors of a traditional egg roll without having to deal with the wrapper,” she says. Below, you can find Randhawa’s recipe for creating the ultimate egg roll in a bowl along with easy ways to boost the taste of your dish.

Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe

Ingredients (makes 4 servings): 

• 1 lb. ground pork or chicken 
• 1 Tbs. sesame oil 
• 1 onion, finely diced 
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 Tbs. fresh ginger, grated 
• 2 (16 oz.) bags of coleslaw mix (or about 4 to 5 cups of shredded cabbage and carrots) 
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 green onions, sliced 
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat large skillet or wok over medium heat, and add ground pork or chicken. Cook until it’s no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Remove cooked meat from skillet and set it aside. 
2. In same skillet, add sesame oil, followed by onion. Sauté onion until it becomes translucent. Add in minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing 1 additional minute until they become fragrant. 
3. Add coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage and carrots to skillet. Stir-fry vegetables about 3 to 4 minutes, until they start to become tender.
4. Return cooked meat to skillet, and add soy sauce. Stir everything together, allowing ingredients to cook for 3 to 4 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through. 
5. Divide stir-fry between 4 bowls and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Enjoy!

4 ways to customize your bowl

An egg roll in a bowl is yummy as is, but if you want to enhance the flavors try one of these four suggestions.

1. Top the dish with an egg cooked to your liking. Whether sunny side up or soft-boiled, a cooked egg adds extra protein to this dish, making it more filling.
2. Serve the meat and veggies over rice or noodles. If you need a starchy component, try serving the stir-fry over a bed of rice or noodles. (Bonus: To keep the carb content to a minimum, opt for cauliflower rice or low-carb rice noodles. )
3. Use other meats in the stir-fry. You can cook ground beef or turkey in place of pork or chicken, or even use leftover shredded rotisserie chicken so it doesn’t go to waste. Vegetarian? Add cubes of tofu or even edamame.
4. Add a spicy kick. For a touch of spiciness, sprinkle the bowl with chili flakes or drizzle a hot sauce like sriracha before digging in.

Who knew you could savor the mouthwatering flavors of egg rolls guilt-free? And if you enjoyed an egg roll in bowl, you’ll definitely love these dishes below:

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