High-Protein Egg Roll in a Bowl
High-Protein Egg Roll in a Bowl
All the filling, no wrapper – one skillet, 25 minutes
This is the inside of an egg roll, cooked in a skillet. Ground meat browns in clumps. Cabbage, carrot, and onion go in last so they stay crisp-tender, like the bowl in the photo. A soy-ginger glaze coats everything. No wrapper. No fryer.
Twenty-five minutes. Four bowls. Eat it steaming.
Why you’ll love this bowl
- 32g protein per serving – dinner that holds you
- Only 8g net carbs – cabbage instead of a fried wrapper
- About 25 minutes, one skillet
- Glossy meat, green cabbage, carrot sticks, like the photo
- No wrapper, no deep fryer
- Leftovers reheat clean for lunch
Health notes
- High protein: A full pound of meat across 4 bowls.
- Low carb: Cabbage and carrot, no wonton wrapper.
- Four servings: One skillet, four bowls.
- Macros are per serving, not the whole pan.
Key element – brown the meat hard, then add the cabbage last
If you dump the slaw in with raw meat, everything steams gray. Brown the meat until the clumps are dark, like the photo. Push it aside, then wilt the cabbage only 3 to 4 minutes so it stays green and crisp.
Ingredients
Skillet (4 bowls)
- 1 1/2 lb (680g) lean ground beef or pork (93% lean)
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil or sesame oil
- 1 small onion, sliced thin
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 6 cups (about 12 oz) shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup carrot matchsticks
Sauce
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp monk fruit or a pinch of brown-style sweetener, optional
- 1/4 tsp black pepper + pinch of red pepper flakes
Finish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds, optional
- Sriracha or chili crisp, to taste
Swaps
- Turkey or chicken: Same weight. Add 1 extra tsp oil so it does not dry out.
- Coleslaw mix: A 14 oz bag replaces the cabbage and carrot.
- No soy: Use coconut aminos only.
- Extra protein: Scramble 2 eggs into the pan at the end.
Instructions
| 1 | Mix the sauce. Stir coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, sweetener if using, black pepper, and chili flakes in a small cup. Set aside. |
| 2 | Brown the meat. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add oil and the meat. Break it into clumps and cook 6 to 8 minutes without stirring too much, until the pieces are dark brown, like the photo. Drain extra fat if the pan is swimming. |
| 3 | Aromatics. Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until the onion softens and it smells toasted. |
| 4 | Cabbage last. Add cabbage and carrot. Pour the sauce over. Toss 3 to 4 minutes until the cabbage is shiny and still a little crisp. Do not cook it to mush. |
| 5 | Serve hot. Divide into 4 bowls. Top with green onion, sesame seeds, and chili crisp. Eat while it steams. |
Pro tips
- A wide skillet is better than a deep pot. Crowded meat steams gray.
- Leave the meat alone for a minute at a time so the clumps brown.
- Bagged slaw is fine. Skip watery bags that already look wet.
- Cabbage should still have crunch. If it looks boiled, you went too long.
- A fried egg on top adds protein and looks like a diner bowl.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per serving (1/4) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Net carbohydrates | 8g |
| Total carbohydrates | 11g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Total fat | 16g |
| Sodium | 620mg |
Estimates with 93% lean beef and coconut aminos. Soy sauce will raise sodium.
Variations
Pork classic
Use ground pork. That is the closest flavor to a takeout egg roll.
Spicy
Add 1 Tbsp chili crisp with the sauce and extra flakes at the end.
Shrimp
Swap the meat for 1 1/2 lb peeled shrimp. Cook 2 minutes per side, then add veg.
Cauliflower rice
Stir in 2 cups cauliflower rice with the cabbage if you want a bigger bowl.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Airtight; reheat in a skillet so cabbage stays crisp |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Cabbage softens; still fine for lunch |
| Meal prep | 4 boxes | Add green onion after reheating |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about this bowl
1. Protein per serving?
2. Net carbs per serving?
3. How many bowls does this make?
4. When do you add the cabbage?
5. Why brown the meat hard first?
