Speedy Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowls

Embrace simplicity and flavor with our easy Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl recipe featuring a convenient coleslaw mix. This remarkable dish delivers all the beloved tastes of traditional egg rolls, without the fuss of rolling and frying, making it an ideal choice for a low-carb, keto-friendly meal. Whether you prefer chicken, ground beef, or sausage, this versatile one-pot wonder adapts effortlessly to your pantry and preferences, proving to be one of our favorite simple cabbage recipes with ground meat.

The concept of “dump dinners” truly simplifies mealtime, and this particular egg roll wrapper recipe idea takes convenience to another level by focusing solely on the delicious filling. Let’s be honest, the wrapper, while providing a satisfying crunch, is primarily a vessel for those mouth-watering insides. By omitting it, we not only reduce carbs but also streamline the cooking process, allowing the vibrant flavors of the ingredients to shine without the extra steps of wrapping or frying. This recipe celebrates the core flavors and textures, delivering pure satisfaction in every spoonful.

Crafting Your Egg Roll Bowl in Any Pressure Cooker (Including Ninja Foodi)

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability across various pressure cooker brands. Whether you own an Instant Pot, a Ninja Foodi, or a Crock-Pot Express, the method remains largely the same: simply combine all ingredients in a single pot. For those using a Ninja Foodi, you’ll utilize the non-attached lid for a quick sauté, followed by pressure cooking with the dedicated pressure lid. And here’s the kicker – the pressure cooking time is a remarkable ZERO minutes. Yes, you read that correctly, zero minutes! This seemingly unconventional timing is actually perfect for achieving the ideal texture for the cabbage, ensuring it’s tender but not mushy.

Perhaps it’s time to reintroduce cabbage to your palate, as taste buds often evolve. I, for one, didn’t fully appreciate this humble vegetable until my forties, and now I’m absolutely obsessed with its versatility and delicate flavor. My culinary awakening began with a simple Instant Pot fried cabbage dish, and from that moment, I was hooked. If you’ve been hesitant to incorporate cabbage into your cooking, I urge you to give it a try with this recipe; you might just discover a new favorite ingredient.

Essential Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl

This recipe thrives on fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together harmoniously in your pressure cooker. Here’s a breakdown of the key components and why they make this dish so special:

• Ground Protein (1 lb): For this particular recipe, I’ve opted for ground chicken, offering a lean and subtle base. However, feel free to get creative! Ground pork, ground beef (such as a roll of Jimmy Dean sausage), or even ground turkey work equally well, allowing you to use whatever you have on hand. This is also an excellent opportunity to utilize leftover cooked protein, diced into small pieces.
• Coleslaw Mix (1 bag, 8 oz): To make preparation incredibly fast and effortless, I highly recommend using a pre-bagged coleslaw mix. These typically contain a blend of shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots, providing both color and texture. Of course, if you prefer, you can certainly chop your own cabbage and carrots for a truly homemade touch.
• Chicken Broth (1/2 cup): Instead of plain water, chicken broth is crucial for infusing the vegetables with a richer, more savory flavor as they steam to tender perfection. It acts as the primary liquid for pressure cooking, ensuring your dish isn’t bland.
• Soy Sauce (1 tbsp): A cornerstone of Asian cuisine, soy sauce (or a gluten-free alternative like tamari or coconut aminos) contributes a deep umami flavor that negates the need for much, if any, additional salt. It’s essential for that authentic egg roll taste profile.
• Ground Ginger (1 tbsp): Fresh or jarred ground ginger adds a bright, zesty, and slightly spicy Asian flavor that truly elevates the dish. If using fresh ginger, grate it finely for even distribution.
• Garlic Powder (1 tbsp): A staple in many savory dishes, garlic powder provides a pungent, aromatic depth that complements the other Asian flavors.
• Black Pepper (1/2 tsp): A touch of freshly ground pepper adds a subtle kick and enhances the overall seasoning.
• Salt (1/2 tsp): While soy sauce provides a good amount of sodium, a small amount of additional salt helps balance and enhance all the flavors in the dish. Adjust to your taste, especially if using a particularly salty broth or soy sauce.
• Optional Toppings: Freshly chopped green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or a drizzle of sriracha sauce can add a fantastic finishing touch, enhancing both visual appeal and taste.

Can You Make This Egg Roll Bowl with Rotisserie Chicken?

Absolutely! One of the fantastic aspects of this Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl recipe is its flexibility when it comes to protein. You can effortlessly adapt it using pre-cooked meats like rotisserie chicken. Simply dice up a cooked chicken breast or thigh into small, bite-sized pieces and incorporate it into the dish. If you’re using cooked meat, you can entirely skip the initial sautéing step for the ground meat, making the recipe even quicker. This is also a brilliant way to use up various leftovers – we’ve successfully used bits of cooked steak or even shredded pork in the past. The goal is to have small, manageable pieces that blend well with the cabbage mixture.

As I often mention, this globally popular Asian-inspired dish boasts countless variations. While ground chicken was chosen here for its simplicity and lean profile, feel free to use any protein, ensuring it’s broken into small, uniform pieces. For the cabbage mixture, an 8-ounce bag of coleslaw mix is recommended to maintain the optimal vegetable-to-liquid ratio, which is key for proper pressure cooking and texture. While water can be used as a substitute for chicken broth, remember that broth will significantly contribute to the depth of flavor. If using water, you might consider adding a bit more seasoning to compensate.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl

Achieving the best results with your pressure cooker often involves understanding a few key principles. Here are some pro tips to ensure your egg roll bowl comes out perfectly every time:

Many pressure cooker users are familiar with the rule about needing at least 1 cup of liquid to avoid the dreaded burn notice. However, for this particular recipe, that rule is less rigid. When pressure cooking, it’s important to account for the natural release of liquid from both the meat and the vegetables. Ground meat will render some fat and moisture, and the cabbage, despite its seemingly dry appearance, will release a surprising amount of water as it cooks. Adding too much excess liquid can lead to a soupy, mushy result rather than crisp-tender, perfectly wilted vegetables. The 1/2 cup of chicken broth specified in the recipe is carefully calibrated to create just enough steam without over-saturating the dish, ensuring your cabbage retains a pleasant texture.

This image showcases the dish immediately after it’s done and “fluffed” up. It’s crucial not to cook it for more than 0 minutes under pressure, as any longer will cause the cabbage to become excessively soft and mushy, losing its desirable texture. For those who miss the characteristic crunch of a traditional egg roll, consider air frying or deep frying some egg roll wrappers separately and serving them on the side. This provides a delightful textural contrast and adds an element of fun to your meal.

Does This Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl Reheat Well?

Absolutely! As someone who dislikes wasting food, I always seek recipes that offer delicious leftovers for subsequent meals. This Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl is perfect for meal prep, essentially giving you two meals for the effort of one – a quick lunch or dinner option for another day. To ensure it remains moist and flavorful, store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator.

Reheating in the Microwave

Keep in mind that cabbage leaves will continue to soften as they sit, so for the best texture, I ideally recommend enjoying this dish within 24 hours. I’m particular about food texture, so this detail is important to me. When reheating in the microwave, warm in 45-second increments, stirring between each interval, until heated through. While effective, microwaving may further soften the cabbage. If you’re looking to revive some of that crisp-tender texture, consider alternative methods.

Reheating for Better Texture: Oven or Air Fryer

For a superior reheating experience that brings back some of the desired texture, especially if you find the cabbage too soft after refrigeration, the oven or air fryer are excellent choices. Transfer your egg roll bowl mixture into an oven-safe dish or a small pan. Spread it out evenly and heat at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for about 2 minutes. Then, toss the mixture gently and heat for another 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature and the edges of the cabbage leaves begin to crisp up slightly. This method helps to evaporate any excess moisture and revitalizes the dish, giving it a delightful freshness that mimics its initial preparation. Similarly, reheating in a pan on the stovetop will also help reduce moisture and improve texture, providing a more satisfying experience than a simple microwave reheat.

Other Popular Cabbage Recipes You’ll Love

Cabbage is an incredibly versatile and nutritious vegetable, lending itself to a multitude of delicious dishes. Beyond this amazing Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowl, there are tons of other great ideas to explore. You might enjoy our recipes for air fryer frozen egg rolls (if you’re craving that wrapper crunch), or our comforting Instant Pot Cabbage Casserole, which is a true family favorite. Cabbage consistently adds a delightful subtle flavor and a satisfying textural crunch that pairs beautifully with almost any type of meat or protein, making it a go-to ingredient for healthy and flavorful meals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Roll Bowls