Think of all the tasty flavors inside an egg roll—ginger, garlic, sesame—but without the hassle of frying or dealing with wrappers. This dish takes those flavors and turns them into a simple, one-pan meal. Easy, satisfying, and perfect for anyone following the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). You’ll love how healthy and comforting it is, whether it’s a weeknight or meal-prep day.
Let’s dig in!
Quick Recipe Facts
- Time Needed: About 25 minutes
- Serves: 4 hearty portions (great for leftovers!)
- Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
What you need:
- A big skillet or wok
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden spoon (or spatula)
- Measuring cups/spoons
Pro Tip: Cook a big batch and store it for easy meals! This keeps in the fridge for four days or freezes well for three months.
Ingredients: What You’ll Use
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 1½ lbs ground beef or sausage (swap for turkey, chicken, or even game meat)
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 1½ tbsp sesame oil (use avocado oil for strict AIP)
- 1½ tsp powdered ginger (or 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated)
- ½ tsp black pepper (skip for AIP)
- 1 tsp garlic granules (or 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- Optional: A pinch of stevia for a touch of sweetness
- Optional: ½ tbsp red pepper flakes if you like a little heat
- 2 tbsp white wine (or extra broth for AIP)
- ⅓ cup beef broth (veggie broth works too!)
- 9 cups shredded cabbage (1 medium-sized head, or grab a coleslaw mix to save time)
- 1½ cups shredded carrots
- 4 tsp tamari (or coconut aminos for AIP)
- Optional: Green onions for garnish
Useful substitutes:
- Want faster prep? Pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix works like a charm.
- Coconut aminos are perfect if you’re keeping it soy-free (they’re sweeter, too!).
- No stevia? Try a tiny drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you prefer.
How to Make It
1. Brown the Meat
Heat your skillet over medium-high. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as you go. No pink? You’re good. If there’s a lot of fat, you can drain it.
2. Cook the Onions and Garlic
Add the onions, garlic, and sesame oil to the skillet with the cooked meat. Stir constantly for 3–4 minutes, until the onions look golden and smell amazing.
3. Add the Seasonings
Turn the heat down to medium. Mix in the ginger, salt, black pepper (if using), and any extras like stevia or red pepper flakes. Add the white wine (or broth) and beef broth. Give it all a good stir.
4. Toss in the Veggies
Slowly add your shredded cabbage. Stir to coat the cabbage in the sauce. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until it softens slightly. Add the carrots during the last 2 minutes to keep them crunchy and bright.
5. Finish with Flavor
Drizzle tamari or coconut aminos over the dish and stir well. Taste it—need more salt or tamari? Adjust as you like.
6. Serve It Up
Spoon into bowls. It’s great on its own or over cauliflower rice for AIP (or regular rice if that’s your thing). Green onions on top? Fancy.
Customize Your Bowl
- Vegan or Vegetarian? No meat? No problem. Sub in tofu, tempeh, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Low-Carb Option? Skip the rice and stick with cauliflower rice.
- Not into spice? Leave out the red pepper flakes, and you’re good. Feel like cranking up the heat? Add a splash of sriracha for fun.
Seasonal Twist:
Brussels sprouts instead of cabbage in winter? So good. For summer, kale slaw works nicely.
Feeling Fancy? Top with toasted sesame seeds for some crunch. Or keep it simple—it’s just as tasty.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Store It Right: Fridge for four days in an airtight container. Freeze for up to three months in portioned containers for easy meals later.
- Reheat Like a Pro: Use the microwave on medium power in 1-minute bursts. Or reheat in a skillet on low—just add a splash of broth to keep it moist.
Why You’ll Love It
This “Egg Roll in a Bowl” is everything: quick, healthy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re staying AIP-friendly, meal prepping, or just looking for comfort food, it’s a dish that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Give it a try, and let me know how yours turns out!
PrintAIP Egg Roll in a Bowl
This AIP-friendly Egg Roll in a Bowl is a deconstructed take on the classic Chinese-American egg roll. Packed with savory flavors, tender cabbage, and juicy ground meat, it’s a quick, healthy, one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy all the comforting flavors of an egg roll—without the wrapper!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef or sausage (substitute with turkey, chicken, or game meat)
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons unrefined sesame oil (use avocado oil for strict AIP)
- 1 ½ teaspoons powdered ginger (or freshly grated ginger)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (omit for AIP)
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules (or 4 cloves garlic, minced)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- Optional: 1/16 teaspoon stevia extract for sweetness
- Optional: ½ tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- 2 tablespoons white wine (substitute with broth for AIP)
- ⅓ cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegan option)
- 9 cups shredded cabbage (about one medium head)
- 1 ½ cups shredded carrots
- 4 teaspoons tamari (or coconut aminos for AIP compliance)
- Green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped onions, garlic granules, and sesame oil to the pan. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in powdered ginger, salt, black pepper (if using), stevia extract, red pepper flakes (optional), white wine (or broth), and beef broth. Mix well to coat the meat evenly.
Gently fold in the shredded cabbage and stir to coat with the sauce mixture. Cook while stirring frequently until the cabbage begins to wilt slightly—about 5–7 minutes. Add shredded carrots during the last two minutes of cooking to keep them slightly crisp.
Drizzle tamari or coconut aminos over the mixture and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
Serve hot over cauliflower rice or regular rice if not strictly following AIP. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this dish with steamed broccoli or an Asian cucumber salad for a complete meal. It’s also delicious on its own or served over noodles for a non-AIP twist.
Tips & Tricks:
- Use pre-shredded coleslaw mix to save time on chopping vegetables.
- Adjust coconut aminos or tamari to balance sweetness and saltiness based on your preference.
- For extra flavor, drizzle toasted sesame oil on top before serving (if not strictly AIP).
Storage & Reheating:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to prevent drying out. For longer storage, freeze individual portions for up to three months; thaw overnight before reheating.