Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos
Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos combine everything you love about crispy egg rolls and turn it into an easy, handheld taco. Seasoned ground chicken or turkey is cooked with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a crunchy cabbage and carrot mix, then tucked into warm flour tortillas and crisped until golden.
The best part is the toppings. Fresh cabbage, cilantro or green onion, chili crisp, and a drizzle of gochujang sauce give these tacos plenty of crunch, heat, and flavor.
They’re quick enough for a weeknight dinner and fun enough for a casual taco night.
Why You’ll Love These Egg Roll Tacos
- Quick and easy: Everything cooks in one skillet before the tacos are assembled.
- Crispy and flavorful: The tortillas become golden and lightly crisp while the filling stays savory and juicy.
- Egg roll-inspired: Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, cabbage, and chili crisp bring classic egg roll flavors.
- Easy to customize: Use chicken or turkey and adjust the spice level to your taste.
- Great toppings: Fresh vegetables and spicy sauces add texture and brightness to every bite.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3–4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
For the Egg Roll Tacos
- 1 lb. ground chicken or turkey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste, or 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste, or a 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup shredded cabbage and carrot mix
- 6–8 small flour tortillas
- 2–3 tablespoons avocado oil or toasted sesame oil
For the Toppings
- Fresh cabbage and carrot mix
- Fresh cilantro or sliced green onion
- Chili crisp
- Gochujang sauce
How to Make Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos
1. Cook the Ground Meat
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground chicken or turkey and cook for about 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink.
2. Add the Garlic and Ginger
Reduce the heat slightly and add the garlic and ginger.
Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
3. Season the Filling
Add the soy sauce and chili crisp to the skillet.
Stir well so the seasonings coat the meat evenly.
Cook for another minute or two, allowing the sauce to soak into the meat.
4. Add the Cabbage and Carrots
Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cabbage and carrot mixture.
Cook for about 2–3 minutes, just until the vegetables begin to soften while still keeping some of their crunch.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
5. Assemble the Tacos
Warm the tortillas briefly so they become flexible.
Spoon some of the egg roll filling onto each tortilla, keeping the filling toward the center.
Don’t overfill them, or they can be difficult to crisp without spilling.
6. Crisp the Tacos
Wipe out the skillet if necessary and return it to medium heat.
Add a little avocado oil or toasted sesame oil.
Place the filled tortillas in the skillet and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden and lightly crisp.
Work in batches if needed so you don’t overcrowd the pan.
7. Add the Toppings
Transfer the crispy tacos to a serving plate.
Top with fresh cabbage and carrot mix, cilantro or green onion, chili crisp, and a drizzle of gochujang sauce.
Serve immediately while the tortillas are warm and crisp.
Recipe Tips for Success
Use a cabbage-based slaw mix.
A store-bought cabbage and carrot mix makes this recipe especially quick. It can be used both in the filling and as a fresh topping.
Don’t overcook the vegetables.
The cabbage should soften slightly but still have some crunch.
Warm the tortillas first.
Softening the tortillas makes them easier to fill and fold without cracking.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet.
Crisp the tacos in batches if necessary. Giving them enough room helps the tortillas brown evenly.
Adjust the heat.
Chili crisp and gochujang can both bring heat. Start with smaller amounts and add more at the table if needed.
Serve immediately.
These tacos are at their best right after cooking, when the tortillas are crisp and the toppings are fresh.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground chicken: Ground turkey works equally well.
- Flour tortillas: Use small street-taco tortillas or another small flour tortilla.
- Soy sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce if preferred.
- Chili crisp: Try chili oil or another spicy garlic chili sauce.
- Fresh ginger: Ginger paste can be used for convenience.
- Cabbage and carrots: Use a prepared coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage with grated carrots.
- Gochujang: Use a sweet-spicy Korean-style sauce or a little extra chili crisp.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Egg Roll Tacos
Add extra chili crisp to the meat mixture and finish the tacos with an extra drizzle of gochujang.
Sesame Chicken Egg Roll Tacos
Use toasted sesame oil for crisping and sprinkle sesame seeds over the finished tacos.
Fresh Herb Egg Roll Tacos
Add plenty of fresh cilantro and green onion along with a squeeze of lime for a brighter flavor.
Cheesy Egg Roll Tacos
For a fusion-style variation, add a small amount of shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack before crisping the tortillas.
What to Serve With Egg Roll Tacos
These tacos are filling on their own, but they pair well with simple sides such as:
- Steamed rice
- Fried rice
- Cucumber salad
- Asian-style slaw
- Edamame
- Steamed broccoli
- Crispy wontons
A refreshing cucumber salad is especially good with the spicy chili crisp and gochujang.
How to Store
Store leftover cooked filling and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, keep the tortillas separate and assemble the tacos when you’re ready to eat.
Reheat the filling in a skillet or microwave, then crisp fresh tortillas in a skillet before assembling.
Can You Freeze Egg Roll Taco Filling?
Yes. The cooked chicken or turkey filling can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly in a skillet.
For the best results, prepare the tortillas and fresh toppings when you’re ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground pork?
The original concept can be made with ground pork, but this version uses ground chicken or turkey for a pork-free option.
What tortillas are best for egg roll tacos?
Small flour tortillas work particularly well because they are flexible and crisp nicely in a skillet. Street-taco-sized tortillas are a convenient choice.
Can I make these tacos less spicy?
Absolutely. Reduce or omit the chili crisp and use a smaller amount of gochujang. You can always add more at the table.
Can I use regular cabbage instead of a slaw mix?
Yes. Thinly shred green or napa cabbage and add grated carrots if desired.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes. The filling can be cooked a day ahead and refrigerated. Reheat it before assembling and crisping the tacos.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 4 servings and ground chicken:
Calories: 430
Protein: 27g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fat: 21g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 1,050mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the tortillas, ground meat, sauces, and amount of oil used.
Final Thoughts
Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos are a fun way to turn familiar egg roll flavors into a quick weeknight meal. The seasoned chicken or turkey filling is savory and aromatic, while the cabbage and carrots bring plenty of crunch.
Finish each taco with fresh herbs, chili crisp, and gochujang for a combination of spicy, savory, and fresh flavors. With just one skillet and a handful of easy ingredients, these tacos make an excellent addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.
PrintBrandon’s Egg Roll Tacos
Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos combine the savory flavors of an egg roll with the crispy, handheld fun of a taco. Seasoned ground chicken is cooked with soy sauce, chili crisp, garlic, ginger, and crunchy cabbage, then tucked into small flour tortillas and toasted until golden. Finish with fresh cabbage, herbs, chili crisp, and gochujang for an easy weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 tacos
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
Egg Roll Tacos
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste, or 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste, or a 1/2-inch piece ginger, grated
- 1 cup shredded cabbage and carrot mix
- 6-8 small flour tortillas
- 2-3 tablespoons avocado oil or toasted sesame oil
Toppings
- Fresh cabbage and carrot mix
- Fresh cilantro or green onion
- Chili crisp
- Gochujang sauce
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.
- Add the aromatics: Stir in the garlic paste and ginger paste. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Season the filling: Add the soy sauce and chili crisp. Stir well to coat the chicken and cook for another 1-2 minutes so the flavors come together.
- Add the vegetables: Stir in the shredded cabbage and carrot mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened while retaining some crunch. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Fill the tortillas: Place a small amount of the chicken mixture across the center of each flour tortilla. Fold the tortilla over the filling and gently press to flatten it slightly.
- Crisp the tacos: Heat the avocado oil or toasted sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the tacos in the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Transfer the crispy egg roll tacos to a serving plate. Top with fresh cabbage and carrot mix, cilantro or green onion, chili crisp, and a drizzle of gochujang sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Protein options: Ground chicken or turkey work well for a pork-free version. Ground beef can also be used for a richer flavor.
- Tortillas: Small flour tortillas, especially street-taco size, are easy to fold and crisp quickly.
- Don’t overfill: Use a modest amount of filling so the tortillas close securely and become crisp without splitting.
- Control the heat: Reduce the chili crisp and gochujang for a milder version, or add extra for more heat.
- Vegetables: A bagged coleslaw mix makes this recipe especially quick. You can also add thinly sliced green onions or bell peppers.
- Oil choice: Avocado oil is neutral and works well for crisping, while toasted sesame oil gives the tacos a stronger nutty flavor.
- Storage: Store leftover filling separately from the tortillas and toppings. Reheat the filling in a skillet and assemble fresh tacos for the best texture.
