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Veggie Turkey Egg Roll In A Bowl

LONG AND EASY TO READ VEGGIE TURKEY EGG ROLL IN A BOWL

A quick, low-carb, and highly flavorful deconstructed egg roll made with lean ground turkey and tons of wilted cabbage. This skillet meal captures all the savory, aromatic qualities of the classic appetizer without the heavy wrapper.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

FOR THE TURKEY AND AROMATICS
  • 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil (such as canola or avocado oil)
  • 1 pound ground turkey 93% lean or higher preferred
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
FOR THE VEGETABLES
  • 1 bag (16 ounces) pre-shredded coleslaw mix green cabbage and carrots
  • 4 cups shredded Napa cabbage or additional green cabbage
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms optional, but recommended for texture
FOR THE SAUCE AND SEASONING
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari, or Coconut Aminos for gluten-free
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar unseasoned
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha or chili garlic sauce adjust to desired spice level
FOR GARNISH AND SERVING
  • 2 tablespoons chopped scallions (green onions)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Equipment

  • Very Large Skillet or Wok
  • Small Mixing Bowl

Method
 

STEP 1: PREPARE THE SAUCE AND VEGETABLES
  1. In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, and Sriracha. Whisk them together thoroughly until the sugar is fully dissolved. Set the sauce aside.
  2. Ensure all your vegetables are ready (minced garlic/ginger, diced onion, shredded cabbages). This dish cooks very quickly once the vegetables are added, so preparation is essential (mise en place).
STEP 2: BROWN THE GROUND TURKEY
  1. Heat a very large skillet, wok, or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the tablespoon of neutral cooking oil.
  2. Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the turkey up into small, uniform pieces as it cooks. Season the turkey liberally with the 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
  3. Cook the turkey for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is completely cooked through and no pink remains. If a large amount of excess liquid or fat has rendered, carefully drain it from the pan before proceeding.
STEP 3: SAUTÉ THE AROMATICS
  1. Reduce the heat to medium. Push the cooked turkey to one side of the skillet, or move it temporarily to a bowl. Add the diced yellow onion to the cleared area of the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
  2. Add the minced garlic and minced fresh ginger to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the mixture is highly fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
  3. Stir the onions, garlic, and ginger into the cooked turkey, blending the ingredients well.
STEP 4: WILT THE VEGETABLES
  1. Raise the heat back to medium-high. Add the more firm vegetables first, such as the optional sliced mushrooms. Stir them into the turkey mixture and cook for 2 minutes.
  2. Add all of the shredded cabbage (both the pre-shredded coleslaw mix and the Napa cabbage) to the skillet. The skillet will look extremely full at this stage.
  3. Toss the mixture vigorously for 3 to 5 minutes. The high heat will cause the cabbage to quickly wilt and decrease significantly in volume. Continue stirring until the cabbage is crisp-tender but still retains a bit of crunch. Do not overcook, or the vegetables will become watery.
STEP 5: SAUCE AND FINISH
  1. Pour the prepared sauce mixture (soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, etc.) evenly over the entire skillet contents.
  2. Stir the entire mixture rapidly, ensuring the sauce coats all the turkey and vegetables. Cook for just 1 to 2 minutes more, allowing the sauce to slightly reduce and heat through.
  3. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as needed. You may add a splash more soy sauce for saltiness, or a dash more rice vinegar for acidity.
STEP 6: SERVE AND GARNISH
  1. Turn off the heat. Divide the mixture immediately among serving bowls.
  2. Garnish each bowl generously with the freshly chopped scallions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
  3. Serve hot, with extra soy sauce or chili garlic sauce offered on the side for those who prefer more heat.

Notes

Variations: To make this dish less low-carb, serve over white rice, brown rice, or lo mein noodles. You can substitute the ground turkey for ground chicken or lean ground pork (use 85% lean for pork for best flavor). For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with 1 block of crumbled, pressed tofu.