Egg Roll in a Bowl

A tasty Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe with ground pork, cabbage, and a delicious soy, garlic, and ginger sauce. Fast, easy, and full of flavour.

Skip the takeout and make this easy Egg Roll in a Bowl at home. It has all the flavours you love from a classic egg roll filling, with savoury ground pork, tender cabbage, garlic, and ginger, all tossed in a simple soy-based sauce.

This one-pan recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without a lot of effort. The combination of fresh vegetables and rich, seasoned pork gives it great texture and flavour in every bite.

Serve it on its own or over rice, and finish with your favourite toppings like green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of chilli sauce for a little extra kick.

Tips for Best Results

• Don’t overcook the cabbage
  Cook just until it’s tender with a slight crunch. Overcooking will make it watery and dull the texture.
• Brown the pork properly
  Let the pork sit for a minute or two before stirring so it develops some colour. This adds much more flavour to the dish.
• Drain excess grease if needed
  Ground pork can release a fair amount of fat. Remove any excess so the final dish isn’t greasy.
• Use fresh garlic and ginger if possible
  Fresh gives the best flavour and makes a noticeable difference in this simple recipe.
• Add sesame oil at the end
  Stir it in off the heat to keep its rich, nutty flavour from fading during cooking.
• Taste and adjust the sauce
  Add a splash more soy sauce for saltiness or a touch more hoisin for sweetness if needed.
• Cut cabbage evenly
  Uniform pieces help everything cook at the same rate and improve the final texture.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan
  Use a large skillet so the ingredients sauté instead of steaming.
• Prep everything before you start
  This recipe moves quickly, so having everything ready makes cooking much easier.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Ground pork – Adds rich flavour and keeps the dish juicy. You can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or beef if preferred.
• Oil – Used for cooking the pork and aromatics. Any neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or light olive oil works well.
• Onion – Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavour. A yellow or white onion can be used in place of a sweet onion.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavour, but pre-minced garlic can be used for convenience.
• Ginger – Fresh grated ginger adds a bright, slightly spicy note. Ground ginger works in a pinch, though the flavour will be milder.
• Shredded cabbage – The base of the dish. Green cabbage is ideal, but you can use pre-shredded coleslaw mix or even a mix of green and purple cabbage.
• Carrots – Add colour and a touch of natural sweetness. Pre-shredded or matchstick carrots are great time-savers.
• Soy sauce – Brings saltiness and umami. Use low-sodium if preferred, or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Hoisin sauce – Adds a slightly sweet, rich depth to the sauce. If you don’t have it, you can add a bit more soy sauce and a pinch of brown sugar.
• Rice vinegar – Balances the flavours with a mild acidity. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute.
• Sugar (optional) – Helps round out the sauce. You can skip it or replace with honey or brown sugar.
• Toasted sesame oil – Adds a nutty finish. A little goes a long way, so don’t skip it if possible.
• Salt and black pepper – Used to season and balance the dish to taste.

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Yields: 4 Servings | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (olive oil or vegetable oil)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
• 6 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for balance)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• salt, to taste

Optional Garnishes

• sliced green onions
• sesame seeds
• chopped peanuts
• sriracha or chilli oil

Directions

1. Cook the pork
   Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed. (Image 1)
2. Add aromatics
   Stir in the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. (Image 2)

1. Cook the vegetables
   Add the shredded cabbage and carrots to the skillet. Toss well with the pork and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt but still has a little bite. (Image 3)
2. Add the sauce
   Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring, until everything is evenly coated and heated through. (Image 4)
3. Finish with sesame oil
   Remove the skillet from the heat and drizzle in the toasted sesame oil. Toss to combine.
4. Serve
   Spoon into bowls and top with green onions, sesame seeds, or your favourite toppings.