Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice
I have a new favorite recipe, Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice. I enjoy this tuna recipe during these winter months when fresh produce is sparse.
Why? Because I love to pair this recipe with a big ole scoop of kimchi or kraut.
My Spicy Tuna mix incorporates mayo and sriracha with a can of tuna, thus creating a spicy tuna sushi roll-like experience.
This dish is upgraded with crispy rice. I use oil to coat the bottom of a pan or pot. Then, I add cooked rice and some seasonings. The oil crisps up at the bottom of the pot to create the rice crust of your dreams.
In this article, I will discuss the elements that makeup Spicy Tuna and Crispy Rice, how to make this dish, and some information on one of the star ingredients, canned tuna.
The Elements of Spicy Tuna and Crispy Rice
There are three main elements to this dish, the protein (Spicy Tuna), the grain (Crispy Rice), and the vegetable (Kimchi).
Spicy Tuna: My Spicy Tuna has three simple ingredients, canned tuna, mayo, and sriracha… that’s it! You have the option to use sushi-grade tuna instead of canned.
Crispy Rice: I use jasmine rice in this recipe. The long-grain rice provides a “fluffier” texture. If you do not have jasmine rice on hand feel free to substitute basmati or short-grain rice. The rice turns a beautiful golden brown when cooked a second time,
Spicy Kimchi: Make your own or pick up your favorite brand from the store. I always have some kimchi on hand because, in addition to this dish, I also love to add kimchi to my ramen bowl creations.
Optional Garnish: Sesame seeds, fresh herbs, avocado, scallions, a drizzle of spicy mayo, sesame oil, or rice vinegar.
How to Build This Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice
First, we make crispy rice. I have written an article all about how to make crispy rice! You take some already cooked rice cooker rice and add it to a pot with some oil. Then, put the lid on the pot back on and wait for that crispy, crunchy rice (about 5 to 10 minutes). My crispy rice recipe is heavily influenced by Naz Deravain’s Tahdig recipe from her cookbook Bottom of the Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories.
Then, while the rice cooks, mix the Spicy Tuna. It’s just 3 ingredients, mayo, sriracha, and a can of tuna.
Last, build the bowl.
- Grain Base – Rice
- Protein – Spicy Tuna
- Veg- Your favortie Kimchi
Optional: You may choose to add other garnishes like fresh herbs, julienned fresh veggies (like carrots or cucumber), crunchy seeds, aromatic oils, soy sauce, or fresh ground pepper.
Sharper Nutrition Fix: Canned Tuna
Below are some tips for choosing sustainable canned tuna.
- Check for cans that have the following labels
- pole-and-line-caught
- pole-caught
- troll-caught
- FAD-free
- free school
- school caught
- Avoid canned tuna that does not provide information about the fishing method.
- Some brands to look for:
For more information, check out this article by Seafood Watch on Tips for Choosing Sustainable Canned Tuna.
Tuna Nutrition
Vitamin D: Tuna contains Vitamin D! Other foods containing Vitamin D include salmon, sardines, and dairy fortified with vitamin D.
Protein: One 5oz can of tuna has a whopping 40g of protein!
Fat: Tuna is relatively low in fat however, it is still a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s are essential in the diet and benefit the heart, eyes, and brain!
Other Ways to Use a Can of Tuna
My favorite way to eat canned tuna is with a bowl of rice, but some other tried and true favorites include:
- Tuna salad with a bagel or crackers
- Tuna Pasta Salad with lots of fresh herbs and crisp fresh veggies
- Made into patties and pan-fried for some Crispy Tuna Cakes.
- Salad Nicoise (a salad made with tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and tuna, and dressed with a simple olive oil-based vinegarette.) Try this recipe in the summer during peak tomato season!
- A simple and classic, Tuna Melt
Want More Recipes?
I hope you enjoy reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it! Below are some more tasty recipes.
- Vegan Kimchi Instant Ramen
- Spicy Tahini Noodles
- Crispy Rice
- Jalapeno Pickled Eggs
- Quick Jammy Soft Boiled Eggs in Air Fryer
- Panera Mexican Street Corn Chowder: An Easy Copycat Recipe
Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice Bowl
Ingredients
Spicy Tuna
- 15 oz canned Albacore Tuna 3 cans
- 3 tbsp mayo
- 2 tbsp siracha
Crispy Rice
- 3 cups cooked rice see recipe notes
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
Bowl Toppers
- 1 cup spicy kimchi divided into 1/4 cups
- 4 scallions, chopped
- 4 tsp sesame seeds divided
- 4 tsp soy sauce divided
- more siracha for drizzling
Instructions
Spicy Tuna
- In a medium mixing bowl add tuna, mayonnaise, and siracha. Mix until combined. Set aside.
Crispy Rice
- Heat the skillet or pot to medium-high heat. Add avocado oil.
- Once the oil is heated, spoon in the rice, pressing the rice into the pan with the back of a rubber spatula or spoon.
- Add rice wine vinegar and place the lid on the pot. You may wish to cover the lid with a dish towel however, be very careful not to burn the towel.
- Cook the rice for 5 to 10 minutes. Option to check on the rice after 5 minutes but use a spatula to check the bottom of the pan or pot for browned/ scorched rice. If the color is to your liking remove it from the heat or continue to cook for the desired amount of time.
Build Your Bowl
- Add crispy rice as your base. Add spicy tuna, kimchi, and scallions. Drizzle 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame seeds over top. Drizzle with the desired amount of siracha.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!
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