It’s quick and easy to make, it’s delicious and versatile, it’s Spicy Tuna!
What pops into your mind when you think of tuna? Is it a Classic Tuna Salad Sandwich? Or is it Lilo from “Lilo & Stitch” in distress over nearly having to feed tuna to her pet fish? Honestly, if it’s the former, I hear you! Tuna, or more specifically canned tuna, is great for sandwiches and salads. But if that is all you think tuna is good for, think again! Get out of the canned meat section of your grocery store and find your way to the fresh fish aisle. Waiting for you there is sashimi-grade tuna, which is, in my opinion, one of the most rich, buttery, and subtly sweet foods that you can eat on this glorious planet.
Now I know I may have placed the bar extremely high for sashimi-grade tuna, but it’s not just the flavor that makes it so good—it’s the versatility that keeps sashimi-grade tuna living rent-free in my mind. Sushi, sashimi, poke bowls, salads, tacos, sushi bakes, and crispy rice; there are so many ways to incorporate sashimi-grade tuna into your kitchen. Today, I want to highlight a recipe that will take your sashimi-grade tuna to new levels of flavor: spicy tuna. Each bite of this spicy tuna is a harmonious blend of umami flavor. When prepared just right, it instantly melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more. And for anyone who truly loves spicy flavors in their meals, you are going to fall in love with how sriracha and tuna work together. If you’ve never had spicy tuna before, then get ready for an unforgettable experience.
Is Spicy Tuna Healthy?
Tuna is a GREAT friend to have on most health journeys. It is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. However, this does not mean you should switch your daily protein to exclusively tuna. The FDA recommends that adults only eat 3oz to 5oz of tuna 2 to 3 times a week. This is due to the higher levels of mercury found in many tuna species compared to other fish. What’s the saying… “Too much of a good thing?” Well, that is a great way to describe tuna.
Now, tuna is not the only ingredient in spicy tuna, nor is it the only ingredient providing health benefits. Green onions are vibrantly green and aromatic, and can support your digestive health, while sesame oil and sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats and amino acids.
Where Can I Find Sashimi-Grade Tuna?
Depending on what grocery stores you have in your area, sashimi-grade tuna may be challenging to find. At least in my experience, you may not be able to find it in the fish aisle of your local grocery store. When beginning your search, a local Asian market is a great place to start! H Mart is a bigger Asian market chain that I have found sashimi-grade tuna in. There are 89 US locations, as well as 2 UK stores and 13 Canadian stores. However, as a word to the wise: if you go shopping at H Mart, expect to spend WAY too much money. They have fresh produce, meat, fish, and an abundance of tasty snacks and premade food. There’s also multiple aisles of kitchen and home items that you could spend hours in.
If you don’t have a local H Mart or a different Asian grocery store, you can also try visiting a seafood market, or exploring any online shipping options.
How to make ahead and store
Sashimi-grade tuna is raw tuna, and therefore is best enjoyed on the same day. However, you can store your spicy tuna in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours if you would like to have leftovers. As for the sauce, you can make it ahead and store it in an airtight container in your fridge for a lot longer—up to a week.
Serving Suggestions
If you missed the viral crispy rice trend on TikTok, now is your chance! This spicy tuna would be oh-so-delicious on top of some crispy rice. If that’s a bit too much work for your weekday dinner prep, then a nice side of Sushi Rice would be just as tasty. Spicy tuna would also be great in a poke bowl, in some divine tacos, or even with a salad such as this Korean Cucumber Salad. If you’re an appetizer appreciator, then perhaps a side of Cucumber Rolls or Spring Rolls works for you. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 4 oz sashimi-grade tuna
- 2 green onions finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
- 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Cut the green onions, separating the green and white parts. Set aside the green part for garnish and the white part to mix with the tuna.
- In a medium bowl, combine sriracha sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, and toasted sesame oil. Mix well.
- Cut sashimi-grade tuna into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Add the tuna to the bowl with the sauce mixture and toss to coat. Add the white part of the green onions and mix.
- Garnish with the green part of the green onions and toasted white sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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