Description
Achieve restaurant-quality crispy egg rolls right in your kitchen with this foolproof recipe featuring a savory pork and vegetable filling that's better than takeout!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 pound ground pork
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
4 cups shredded cabbage (from about 1/2 small head)
2 cups shredded carrots (from about 2-3 medium carrots)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 package (20-25 count) egg roll wrappers
Water or egg wash (1 beaten egg + 1 tablespoon water), for sealing
4-6 cups vegetable oil (or canola, peanut oil), for frying
Instructions
Step 1: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the pork. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in the shredded cabbage and carrots. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened but still retain a slight crispness. You don't want them mushy!
Step 4: Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice vinegar. Mix well to combine everything. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and any excess liquid to evaporate. The filling should not be watery. Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely. This is crucial; warm filling can make your wrappers soggy.
Step 5: Lay an egg roll wrapper on a clean, dry surface with one corner pointing towards you (like a diamond). Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled filling just below the center of the wrapper. Don't overfill, or they'll be hard to roll and might burst.
Step 6: Fold the bottom corner up over the filling, tucking it in tightly.
Step 7: Fold in the left and right corners towards the center, creating an envelope shape.
Step 8: Roll the wrapper tightly from the bottom upwards. Before you reach the top corner, moisten the edges of that corner with a little water (or an egg wash made from a beaten egg and a tablespoon of water) to seal it securely. This ensures your egg roll stays intact during cooking. Repeat with the remaining filling and wrappers.
Step 9: In a large, deep pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil (or another high smoke point oil like canola or peanut oil) to 350°F (175°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature; maintaining the correct temperature is key to a crispy, non-greasy result.
Step 10: Carefully lower 3-4 egg rolls into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 4-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
Step 11: Remove the cooked egg rolls with a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For best results, ensure the filling is completely cooled before wrapping to prevent soggy wrappers. Do not overcrowd the pot when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure maximum crispiness. Serve immediately for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 egg roll
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg