This Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry is a quick, one-pan wonder with ground meat, cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. All the egg roll flavors—minus the rolling!
I’m just gonna be honest—some of my best recipes happen when I’m desperate for dinner ideas. You know those nights where you stare into the fridge, hoping dinner will just… appear? Yeah, that was me last Thursday.
The fridge situation wasn’t pretty—some ground chicken that needed to be used, half a bag of coleslaw mix, and a bottle of soy sauce shoved in the back. I had that moment where you think, Do I cave and order takeout? But then, the idea hit me—what if I made an egg roll… but without the rolling part?
No wrappers. No frying. Just all the good stuff tossed together in one skillet. I figured it could maybe turn out okay?
Spoiler alert: it was better than okay. It was amazing. The ginger, garlic, and soy sauce gave it that classic egg roll flavor, but the fact that it was done in 15 minutes made it even better. My husband literally cleaned his plate, and my 7-year-old (who normally side-eyes anything with cabbage) actually asked for seconds.
This Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry has been on repeat ever since. It’s fast, cozy, and somehow tastes fancier than it really is. Plus, you can switch it up with whatever’s hanging out in your fridge—huge win, right?
Why You’ll Love This Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry Recipe?
- Ready in 15 Minutes: Perfect for those what’s-for-dinner panic moments.
- All the Egg Roll Flavor, No Rolling: No wrappers. No frying. Just flavor-packed goodness.
- Healthier Than Takeout: Loaded with veggies and way less oil.
- Versatile: Beef, chicken, turkey, pork—even plant-based crumbles work here.
- One Pan = Fewer Dishes: Enough said.
Ingredient Notes:
Simple ingredients, but trust me—they all play a role in making this stir fry so addictive.
- Ground Meat: I used chicken, but ground turkey, beef, pork, or even sausage? All winners.
- Coleslaw Mix: The ultimate shortcut. Pre-shredded cabbage and carrots save time and dishes.
- Carrots: If your coleslaw mix is a bit light on carrots, toss in a handful for extra crunch and sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: Go for low-sodium if you want more control over the saltiness.
- Ginger Paste: Listen, I love fresh ginger, but ginger paste is my weeknight hero—no grating, no mess.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for the boldest flavor. Trust me, jarred garlic just doesn’t hit the same.
- Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil gives this dish that nutty, rich flavor.
- Green Onions: For a pop of freshness at the end—don’t skip these!
Pro Tip: Want extra crunch? Toss in some chopped water chestnuts or a handful of peanuts before serving.
How To Make Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry?
You’re gonna love how simple this one-pan wonder is.
Step 1. Heat the Oil
Grab a large skillet and heat half the sesame oil over medium-high heat. We’re saving the rest for the sauce later—trust me, it makes a difference.
Step 2. Brown the Meat
Add the ground meat and diced onion to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and let it cook until it’s mostly done but still slightly pink.
Step 3. Toss in the Carrots
Time to add those carrots! They need a bit longer to soften than cabbage, so give them a 2-3 minute head start.
Step 4. Add the Cabbage
Now, dump in the coleslaw mix. It might feel like a lot, but don’t stress—it wilts down fast. Stir it around so it mixes with the meat and carrots.
Step 5. Whisk the Sauce
While the veggies soften, whisk together the soy sauce, ginger paste, garlic, and the remaining sesame oil in a small bowl. This sauce is where all the bold, savory magic happens.
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Step 6. Sauce It Up
Pour that delicious sauce right over the stir fry. Give everything a good toss so it’s coated evenly, and let it cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cabbage is tender but still crisp.
Step 7. Finish It Off
Remove from heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions. Taste test—need a bit more soy sauce? Maybe a dash of red pepper flakes for heat? Adjust as you go.
Serve it up hot and get ready for those “Whoa, this is amazing!” reactions.
Storage Options:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheats like a dream in the microwave.
- Freezer: Not ideal—cabbage can get a bit soggy after freezing.
- Meal Prep Tip: This stir fry makes awesome lunches. Pack it up in portions for grab-and-go meals.
Variations and Substitutions:
This recipe is practically begging for tweaks. Try these ideas:
- Meatless Version: Swap ground meat for crumbled tofu or tempeh.
- Spicy Kick: Add sriracha, red pepper flakes, or a dash of chili oil.
- Crunch Factor: Stir in chopped water chestnuts or sliced almonds.
- Extra Veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas would be so good here.
- Low-Carb: Skip the carrots and stick with just the cabbage.
What to Serve with Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry?
This dish is filling on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with:
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: Because sauce-soaked rice = happiness.
- Cauliflower Rice: If you’re keeping things low-carb.
- Egg Drop Soup: Cozy and classic.
- Spring Rolls: For extra crunch.
- Edamame: Light and salty for a perfect contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Any ground meat works here—chicken, turkey, beef, pork, even sausage.
What if I don’t have coleslaw mix?
No problem! Just shred about 4 cups of green cabbage and toss in some shredded carrots.
Can I double this recipe?
For sure! Just use a bigger skillet so everything cooks evenly.
This Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry has quickly become one of those “why didn’t I think of this sooner?!” recipes in my house. It’s fast, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to customize—basically everything you want on a busy weeknight.
So, what do you think? Giving it a try this week? If you do, snap a pic and tag me—I love seeing your kitchen wins!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground meat beef, sausage, chicken
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 bag coleslaw cabbage approximately 16 ounces
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 2 teaspoons ginger paste
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Sesame Oil
- Freshly chopped green onion
Instructions
- Heat up half of the oil in a skillet, on high heat.
- Add some ground meat. Chopped onion and cook it until the meat is partially cooked breaking it into smaller pieces.
- When you reach the halfway point toss in some carrots.
- Next introduce coleslaw cabbage to the skillet. Cook it until it becomes slightly soft.
- In a bowl combine soy sauce, ginger paste, minced garlic and the remaining sesame oil.
- Pour this sauce over the ingredients in the skillet. Stir everything together.
- Let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Before serving add a finishing touch of chopped onions as garnish.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning, with soy sauce if desired.
- Now you can savor this Unrolled Egg Roll Stir Fry!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
