Crack Slaw (egg roll in a bowl) gives you all the savory, ginger-sesame flavors of a pork egg roll without the wrapper. Ground pork sausage browns with red onion, then a whole bag of coleslaw mix wilts down into a glossy soy and rice vinegar sauce. It's a 30-minute skillet dinner that tastes like takeout and reheats like a dream.
Craving the savory, umami-packed flavor of a crispy egg roll but want something a little lighter and a lot faster? Meet your new weeknight obsession: Crack Slaw! This deconstructed egg roll in a bowl packs all the deliciousness into a simple, one-pan meal that’s on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s a low-carb, high-flavor dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
• 1 lb / 454 g ground pork sausage
• 16 oz / 454 g package ready-mix coleslaw
• 0.5 cup / 75 g (2.65 oz) chopped red onion
• 3 tbsp soy sauce, or tamari for gluten-free
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
• 0.75 tsp (3.8 ml) ground ginger
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced, for garnish
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Brown the Pork & Onion: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork sausage and chopped red onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking the pork apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through.
3. Drain and Season: Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Stir in the rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ground ginger, coating the pork evenly.
4. Wilt the Slaw: Add the entire bag of coleslaw mix to the skillet. Stir constantly for 5-7 minutes, allowing the cabbage and carrots to wilt and reduce in size.
5. Steam to Perfection: Pour in the soy sauce or tamari and stir to combine. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it steam for 3-5 minutes, or until the slaw reaches your preferred tenderness.
6. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh, thinly sliced green onions.
Nutritional Information
• is an estimate and may vary based on the specific used.
• Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 22g
Pro Tips
• For a spicy kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic and ginger.
• This recipe is fantastic with ground chicken, turkey, or beef. Adjust cooking time as needed to ensure it’s cooked through.
• Add extra crunch and flavor by topping the finished dish with toasted sesame seeds or crispy wonton strips just before serving.
FAQ
Q: Is Crack Slaw keto friendly
A: Yes, this Crack Slaw recipe is very keto-friendly and low-carb. With approximately 12g (0.42 oz) of carbohydrates per serving, it fits well into a ketogenic diet. To ensure it’s as low-carb as possible, use a sugar-free soy sauce or tamari.
Q: Can I use a different protein besides pork
A: Absolutely. This recipe is fantastic with ground chicken, turkey, or beef. Simply substitute it for the ground pork sausage and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure it’s cooked through.
Q: How can I make this recipe spicy
A: For a spicy kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes at the same time you add the garlic and ginger. You can adjust the amount to match your preferred level of heat.
Q: How do I store and reheat leftovers
A: Store any leftover Crack Slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. The cabbage will be softer upon reheating but still delicious.
Pro Tips
- Drain the excess grease off the browned pork sausage before seasoning — the coleslaw mix needs a fairly dry pan to stir-fry and wilt instead of stewing in fat.
- Keep the slaw mix moving constantly for the full 5-7 minutes, then cover and steam it for 3-5 minutes on low; that final steam is what gives you the tender-crisp texture of an egg roll filling.
- For a gluten-free version, swap the soy sauce for tamari — it keeps the same salty depth and the carb count stays in the same range.
- Ground chicken, turkey, or beef all work in place of the pork sausage; brown until cooked through and adjust the cook time slightly for leaner meats.
- Leftovers keep 3-4 days in the fridge and reheat best in a hot skillet — microwaving turns the cabbage soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crack slaw actually keto-friendly?
Yes — each serving lands around 12 g of carbs with 25 g of protein and 22 g of fat, and there's no wonton wrapper involved. Just watch the soy sauce if you're keeping carbs very tight.
Can I make egg roll in a bowl ahead of time?
Absolutely, it meal-preps beautifully. Cook it, cool it, and refrigerate for up to 4 days, then rewarm portions in a hot skillet.
Can I freeze crack slaw?
You can freeze it for up to 2 months, but the cabbage softens quite a bit once thawed. For best texture, eat it fresh or from the fridge.
What can I use instead of ground pork sausage?
Ground chicken, turkey, or beef are all good swaps mentioned for this recipe. Brown the meat thoroughly and cook a little longer if the leaner meat releases more moisture.
Recipe card below.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Crack Slaw (Egg Roll in a Bowl)
Ingredients
Method
- Directions
- Brown the Pork & Onion: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground pork sausage and chopped red onion.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking the pork apart with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked through.
- Drain and Season: Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Stir in the rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ground ginger, coating the pork evenly.
- Wilt the Slaw: Add the entire bag of coleslaw mix to the skillet.
- Stir constantly for 5-7 minutes, allowing the cabbage and carrots to wilt and reduce in size.
- Steam to Perfection: Pour in the soy sauce or tamari and stir to combine.
- Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it steam for 3-5 minutes, or until the slaw reaches your preferred tenderness.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh, thinly sliced green onions.
- Add extra crunch and flavor by topping the finished dish with toasted sesame seeds or crispy wonton strips just before serving.
