If a fast, budget-friendly dinner is the unicorn, this ground pork egg roll in a bowl is the sparkly miracle you’ve been looking for. One pan, no chopping, and my kid was actually excited when I made it two nights in a row. Save this one for those takeout cravings when your wallet says otherwise.
*This is a sponsored post in partnership with the Iowa Pork Producers Association. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Why We Love Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Quick And Easy – I love that this recipe uses ground pork and pre-shredded coleslaw, no big prep, just one pan and done. When I said we had to test it again the next night, my daughter gave me a sarcastic “oh no, not again”… then immediately followed it up with “so what time’s dinner tomorrow?”
- Budget Friendly – This egg roll in a bowl makes dinner taste amazing without spending a ton. It keeps things simple with ground pork and coleslaw mix, quick, filling, and totally wallet-friendly. Add some steamed rice, and you’ve got a complete meal that feels satisfying, not skimpy.
- Supports US Farmers – When you buy pork, you’re supporting hardworking farmers right here in the U.S. It doesn’t matter which brand or store, that purchase helps families who raise animals with care. It feels good knowing dinner can do a little extra good.
Ingredients For Egg Roll In A Bowl
- ground pork – I used a lean ground pork. If you use a ground pork that is less lean, you can just use a paper towel to soak up a little bit of the oil so the finished dish isn’t oily.
- minced garlic
- ground ginger
- cabbage coleslaw mix – this is found without dressing in the lettuce and prebagged salad section
- low sodium soy sauce – if you only have full sodium soy sauce try starting with 1/4 cup, then add more to taste. Adding the full amount with regular sodium soy sauce may be too salty.
- rice vinegar – you can also use apple cider vinegar but you may want to use slightly less. Apple cider vinegar tends to pack more punch, rice vinegar is naturally sweeter.
- sesame oil – optional, but adds a lot of flavor
- green onions – for garnish, adds flavor
- sesame seeds – for garnish, adds crunch
How To Make Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Place a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground pork, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until there is no more pink, about 11-12 minutes, stirring often. The pork will just start to lightly brown but doesn’t need to be crispy. Drain any excess oil from the pan. A paper towel can be used to help remove excess oil if needed.
- Add the minced garlic and ground ginger to the cooked pork. Stir well, cooking for about 1 minute.
- Pour the coleslaw mix into the pan, stirring it into the pork. Add the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes.
- Pour the sesame oil over the pork (optional) and give everything a good stir. Top with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!
Variation Ideas
Add More Vegetables – A quick stir fry dish like this can be a great way to use up some other extra veggies. Shredded carrots, diced zucchini, shelled edamame, and diced bell pepper are all great additions. Don’t be afraid to clean out the fridge for veggies, just be sure to shred or dice any veggies thin and small so they cook up quickly. Frozen small veggies like peas or frozen diced veggies like onion can also be used, but you may want to cook them separately as some can add too much water to the sauce.
Try Adding Nuts – Nuts can give a bit of extra crunch. If your family likes them try throwing in a few handfuls of peanuts or cashews.
Try a Fried Egg – A fried egg on top of this bowl would be extra delicious, I like to scramble it with a little soy sauce and a sprinkle of ginger when I add it to an Asian dish.
Make It Spicier – I like things a little spicy, but my kid doesn’t always. I’ll add some sriracha at the table to mine and my husband’s. If your family loves a deeper flavor with a kick, try adding a spoonful of gochujang paste (a little can go a long way, but it’s delicious!).
Sprinkle Fried Wonton Strips – Fried wonton wrapper strips can usually be found near other salad toppings, but they go great in this dish too. A sprinkle at the table will give you a similar crunch like when you bite into an egg roll.
Kristy’s Tip: Let Them Build Their Own Bowl
If you’ve got picky eaters, let them add their own toppings, a little sprinkle of sesame seeds, extra green onions, or even crispy wontons. When kids get to “build their own bowl,” dinner goes way smoother.
FAQ About This Egg Roll In A Bowl Recipe
Yes! This dish is great for meal prep. The flavors get even better the next day, and the cabbage holds up surprisingly well. The cabbage softens slightly, but still has a nice bite. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I don’t recommend freezing egg roll in a bowl, but you could freeze just the cooked pork. The cabbage will soften more when frozen and tends to get a slimy texture. You can make the pork and stop right before you add the cabbage. Freeze the pork in a covered, freezer safe container. Then when you are ready to eat, heat up the pork in a pan and add the cabbage.
I usually serve it with steamed rice, but you’ve got options! Cauliflower rice works if you want something lighter. You could also add a quick side like cucumber salad, frozen potstickers, or even steamed edamame to round things out.
Yes! Just make sure you use a large skillet or Dutch oven so everything cooks evenly. You may need to stir a little more often to make sure the cabbage softens just right.
Yes, absolutely! The sesame oil adds flavor and the seeds add a little crunch, but the recipe will still be delicious without them. If allergies are a concern, just leave them out.
How Long Will Egg Roll In A Bowl Last?
This dish will last about 3 days in the fridge in a covered, airtight container, and it makes amazing leftovers. The flavors get even better on day two, and the cabbage still holds its texture. If you’re not in the mood to eat the same thing twice, here are a few fun ways to mix it up:
- Stuff it into lettuce wraps
- Wrap it in a tortilla for an egg roll-style burrito
- Toss it with rice and a scrambled egg for quick fried rice
- Stir it into a bowl of ramen for a cozy noodle soup
Egg Roll In A Bowl (With Ground Pork!)
This easy egg roll in a bowl is made with ground pork, coleslaw mix, and simple flavors kids and grown-ups both love. It all cooks in one pan and tastes like takeout. Serve it with rice for a fast, family-friendly dinner.
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Place a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground pork, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until there is no more pink, about 11-12 minutes, stirring often. The pork will just start to lightly brown but doesn’t need to be crispy. Drain any excess oil from the pan. A paper towel can be used to help remove excess oil if needed.
1 pound ground pork
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Add the minced garlic and ground ginger to the cooked pork. Stir well, cooking for about 1 minute.
2 teaspoons minced garlic, ½ teaspoon ground ginger
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Pour the coleslaw mix into the pan, stirring it into the pork. Add the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes.
16 ounces cabbage coleslaw mix, ½ cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
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Pour the sesame oil over the pork (optional) and give everything a good stir. Top with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!
½ teaspoon sesame oil, green onions, sesame seeds
Normally I would tell you that a garnish is optional and it is, but the sesame seeds and green onion add some really good crunch and flavor to this dish. I wouldn’t skip the garnish, kids like to sprinkle on their own dish too.
Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1232mg | Potassium: 644mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg
Did You Make This?
I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
