This Quick & Easy Egg Roll Stir Fry is my weeknight dinner hero! It has all the delicious flavors of a traditional egg roll, but without the deep-frying or the hassle of wrapping. It’s basically a deconstructed egg roll in a bowl, and it’s incredibly easy to make. Packed with ground meat, fresh vegetables, and a savory sauce, this stir-fry is a healthy, flavorful, and satisfying meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Egg Roll Stir Fry
- All the Egg Roll Flavor: You get all the delicious flavors of an egg roll filling without the deep-fried wrapper.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy and Customizable: It’s packed with vegetables and lean protein, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
- One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in one skillet or wok, which means minimal cleanup.
Ingredients for Egg Roll Stir Fry
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful stir-fry. I’ve divided them up for clarity, but the full list with measurements is in the recipe card directly below.
Meat and Vegetables
- Ground meat (chicken, turkey, or pork) (Protein)
- Onion (Vegetable)
- Garlic (Aromatic)
- Green cabbage (Vegetable)
- Carrots (Vegetable)
Seasoning and Sauce
- Vegetable oil (for cooking)
- Ginger (Aromatic)
- Soy sauce (Condiment)
- Sesame oil (Flavoring)
- Rice vinegar (Acid)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) (Spice)
Garnish
- Green onions (Herb)
- Sesame seeds (optional) (Garnish)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
I love this recipe as is, but here are a few variations you might want to try:
- Use Ground Beef or Sausage: Try using ground beef or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Add More Vegetables: Toss in some sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or bean sprouts for added nutrients and texture.
- Make it Spicy: Add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for extra heat.
- Add Noodles: Serve it over rice noodles or add some cooked noodles to the stir-fry for a heartier meal.
- Make it Low-Carb: Serve it over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
How to Make Egg Roll Stir Fry
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Quick & Easy Egg Roll Stir Fry:
Cook the Ground Meat
- First, I heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Then, I add the ground meat and cook it until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- I drain off any excess fat.
Sauté the Aromatics
- I add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the skillet.
- I cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is softened and fragrant.
Add the Vegetables
- I stir in the thinly sliced cabbage and shredded carrots.
- I cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, I whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- I pour the sauce over the stir-fry and mix everything well to combine.
Meld Flavors
- I cook for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Garnish and Serve
- Finally, I remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds (if using).
- I serve it hot, optionally with steamed rice or cauliflower rice.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips I’ve learned to make this stir-fry even better:
- Use a Large Skillet or Wok: A large skillet or wok will give you plenty of room to stir-fry the ingredients without overcrowding.
- Prep the Vegetables Ahead: Slice the cabbage and shred the carrots ahead of time to save time during cooking.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
How to Serve
This Egg Roll Stir Fry is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Over Rice: Serve it over steamed white or brown rice for a classic presentation.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice.
- Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the stir-fry into lettuce cups for a fun and healthy alternative.
- Noodles: Toss it with cooked rice noodles or your favorite Asian noodles.
Make Ahead and Storage
This stir-fry is best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe:
- Can I use pre-shredded cabbage?
- Yes, you can use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix to save time.
- Can I make this vegetarian?
- Yes, you can omit the ground meat and add extra vegetables or tofu. You may also want to add a tablespoon of hoisin sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce for a richer flavor.
- What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
- You can substitute white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Enjoy this Quick & Easy Egg Roll Stir Fry! It’s a delicious and healthy meal that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Print
Egg Roll Stir Fry
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Main Course, Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
This Egg Roll Stir Fry is a quick, easy, and healthy meal that captures all the flavors of an egg roll without the wrapper! It’s packed with ground meat, vegetables, and a delicious savory sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat (chicken, turkey, pork, or beef)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 medium head of green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
- Cook Vegetables: Stir in the thinly sliced cabbage and shredded carrots. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Combine and Finish: Pour the sauce over the stir-fry mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds (if using). Serve hot.
Notes
- Meat Options: You can use any type of ground meat you like in this recipe. Ground chicken, turkey, pork, or beef all work well.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Serving Suggestions: This stir-fry is delicious on its own or served over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.