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Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl Recipe

by Jennifer Debth October 20, 2016

4.83 from 17 votes

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This healthy Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl is a deconstructed version of the spicy tuna sushi roll. Loaded with protein-packed tuna, brown rice, veggies and smothered in a creamy, spicy mayo sauce, this bowl is almost too good to be true!

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General
Sushi bowl vs poke bowl
Is this hot or cold?
Ingredients
How to make
Get the recipe
Step-by-step video
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this healthy?
How to store
Nutrition information

“This might be the best thing I’ve eaten in a while.” This is an actual quote from Trevor after he tried this Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl recipe. SUCCESS!

Trevor usually likes the food I make, but it’s a special victory when he says it’s the BEST thing he’s eaten in a while! Well, you guys, I’d have to agree with Trevor. I think this is the best thing I’ve eaten in a while too. This Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl is a deconstructed version of everyone’s favorite sushi roll: the spicy tuna roll. And it’s SO. DARN. GOOD!

Here’s why this spicy tuna roll bowl is the real deal: it’s quicker than making homemade sushi, it’s easier than making homemade sushi, and it’s cheaper than buying sushi.

Oh and also it’s SO YUMMY!!!

What’s the difference between a sushi bowl and a poke bowl?

A poke bowl is typically made up of rice, raw salmon or tuna, and toppings like soy sauce and seaweed. A sushi bowl can simply be another name for a poke bowl, but it can also be made with cooked fish instead of raw.

In today’s recipe, we’re ditching the raw tuna and using canned cooked tuna instead. We’re also having fun with the toppings and adding a spicy mayo sauce!

Is this sushi bowl served hot or cold?

This bowl is best served cold . . . just like the actual spicy tuna roll! Because we’re serving this cold, this makes a perfect meal prep lunch. Simply prep all your ingredients, store in the fridge, then assemble and eat. No microwaving required!

Ingredients

Spicy Mayo Ingredients

You guys this spicy mayo is to die for and perfect drizzled over our sushi bowl. Creamy, spicy, tangy and made with very few ingredients:

Mayonnaise – I used an olive oil-based mayonnaise to keep it on the lighter side, but you can use whatever mayo you prefer!
Sriracha – I like to add more sriracha to make my sauce extra spicy but you can add as little or as much as you like depending on your heat preferences!
Lemon Juice – adds a bit of tang to the spicy mayo.
Sesame Oil – offsets the tang of the lemon juice with an earthy, nutty flavor. It’s a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way.
Soy Sauce – the classic dipping sauce for sushi to provide a salty “umami” flavor. Use tamari or coconut aminos to keep this gluten free.
Rice Vinegar – adds a slight tangy, fermented flavor. I don’t recommend substituting another vinegar. Rice vinegar isn’t as potent as other vinegars such as white or apple cider.

Other Sushi Bowl Ingredients

Between the whole grains, lean protein, and veggies . . . we’ve got a whole lot of healthy going on:

Brown Rice – the base for the bowl. I love using brown rice for its health benefits and hearty texture. Feel free to use whatever grain you have on hand.
Canned Tuna – a delicious, lean protein for your healthy sushi bowl. Since this is the star of our bowl, be sure to use a good quality canned tuna.*
Cucumbers – add an amazing freshness to the rich sauce and tuna.
Carrots – add color and a crunchy texture.
Avocado – a great healthy fat!
Salt and Pepper (to taste) – brings out other flavors and adds spice.
Sesame Seeds (optional) – add some crunch and a nutty taste.
Pickled Ginger (optional) – pickled ginger isn’t for everyone, but I LOVE the strong ginger flavor it adds to the sushi bowl.
Jalapeños (optional) – gives the meal some extra heat to go along with the spiciness from the mayo sauce.
Sesame Oil (optional) – for topping. Adds more of that nutty taste.

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This is SOME wiggle room in this recipe. If you’re not a fan of tuna, canned salmon or even canned chicken will work beautifully.

Vegan? Use veganaise for the mayo and chickpeas for the canned tuna. It’ll still be a delicious, protein packed lunch!

*What does good quality canned tuna mean?

Look for the word “solid” – this yields a better texture, because you’ll break it up yourself. No mushy tuna, thank you very much.
Look for “packed in water” – we’re adding our own healthy fats in the sauce and with the avocado in this recipe. We don’t need any additional fat from the can of tuna.
Look for “pole and line fishing only” – this means the tuna weren’t mass caught.
Look for the MSC-certified seal – this means that the tuna were sustainably caught.

How to make this spicy tuna sushi bowl

Whether you’re making these bowls in advance for meal prep lunches or whipping them up on the fly, this recipe is insanely quick and easy:

Use a whisk to mix together your spicy mayo sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
If eating immediately: combine all ingredients in a bowl then drizzle with sauce or if meal prepping: store all components in separate airtight containers.

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Pro tip

If meal prepping, be sure your brown rice has completely cooled after cooking before storing in an airtight container in the fridge.

Is this spicy tuna roll bowl healthy?

Yes! This spicy tuna roll bowl is full of complex carbs, healthy fats, lean protein, and tons of fresh veggies!

1 bowl + 1/2 the dressing has 397 calories, 15 grams of fat, 26 carbs, and 36 grams of protein.

Looking for more healthy meal prep recipes? Check out these chicken burrito bowls or these healthy Asian lettuce wraps!

How to store

All the spicy tuna sushi bowl components can be stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Since it’s served cold, there’s no reheating necessary. I would not recommend freezing this recipe.

– Jennifer

This post has been updated to provide more detailed content.