Six-ingredient Spicy Tuna Bites are a quick-and-easy spin on spicy tuna rolls that have all the flavor with fewer carbs and fat.
Homemade sushi in 10 minutes? Well, not quite. But if you’re craving the flavor of spicy tuna rolls, you absolutely don’t have to get out your rolling mat or spend any time fanning sushi rice cool. Sure, it could be fun to work on your rolling skills, but sometimes it’s fun not to, and that’s where these delicious spicy tuna bites come in.
They’re so easy to make, but certain ingredients might surprise you. Full disclosure: these tuna bites contain plain Greek yogurt in lieu of any mayo. The tangy yogurt adds protein and creates a creamy texture. If you believe spicy tuna requires rice every time, think again; cucumber complements spicy tuna perfectly. I love that I can serve these bites as a light meal, or treat my friends and family to them as a picture-perfect party appetizer. That’s a lot to get out of a 10-minute dish.
Are Spicy Tuna Bites Healthy?
With 28 grams of protein and under 2 grams of fat per serving these bites are a real feel-good treat for me. They’re gluten-free and low-carb and made from mostly raw ingredients. Tuna is rich in vitamins A and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Keep in mind that tuna can contain high levels of mercury, so eating it in moderation (no more than once or twice a week) is best. The FDA recommends that certain people avoid eating raw fish altogether, including pregnant women, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
What is sushi grade tuna?
Sushi grade tuna should be the highest quality tuna sold. That said, “sushi-grade” is an unregulated term meant only to communicate to the shopper that the fish is safe to eat raw. Buying your fish from a trusted source, telling your fish monger specifically that you mean to eat it raw, and preparing it with the proper care at home is the best way to ensure that it doesn’t contain harmful bacteria. At home, make sure the fish is kept below 40 degrees F at all times and don’t let the prepared fish sit out for more than a few minutes before eating it.
FAQs & Tips
Because the tuna in this recipe is raw, it’s best not to make them too far in advance. You can refrigerate the cucumber slices and tuna mixture separately for an hour or two before assembling the bites if you’d like.
It’s very important to use the best tuna you can find to make these bites. The term “sushi-grade” is unregulated but is used by reputable sellers to label fish that is safe to eat raw. How you handle the fish once you’ve brought it home is critical as well: bacteria can develop if the fish reaches above 40 degrees F so keep it refrigerated at all times and eat it soon after preparing it.
Yes, you can absolutely use mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt. However any substitutions will change the nutritional calculations for the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Cucumbers slices aren’t the only base you could use for the bites. Mini rice cakes, plantain chips, rice crackers, or halved mini bell peppers would also be great for serving the bites. If you’d like to round out your meal you can serve the bites with Baked Salmon Sushi Cups, Healthy California Roll Sushi Bites, Air Fryer Shishito Peppers, or just a crisp salad dressed with Asian Salad Dressing.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small cucumber sliced
- 1/2 pound sushi-grade Ahi tuna raw
- 1 tablespoon green onion diced
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt plain non-fat
- 1 – 1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha sauce to taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 1 sliced nori sheet for garnish, (seaweed)
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber into 1/4 inch thick circles and lay out onto a plate.
- Dice the tuna and green onions and place them into a medium mixing bowl.
- Into the bowl, add the Greek yogurt, sriracha, garlic powder and salt. Make sure to taste and adjust the salt to your preference.
- Scoop about 1 Tbsp of tuna onto each cucumber and garnish with additional sriracha and sliced nori (if desired.) Alternatively, if you want it to taste even more like sushi, mix some extra minced nori into the tuna mixture.
- Devour!
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