This Tuna Rice Balls recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is all about that hands-on fun, perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups cooked sushi rice: This is the star of your rice balls! Feel free to use leftover rice if you have it.
- 1 can tuna, drained: I prefer solid yet flaky tuna for added texture, but any tuna you like works!
- 3 tablespoons Kewpie mayo: If you’ve never tried this Japanese mayo, you’re in for a treat! It adds a creamy, rich flavor.
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste): This is where the heat comes in! Add less if you’ve got little ones, or more if you like it fiery.
- Roasted seaweed sheets (nori): Essential for wrapping or serving on the side. It adds a salty crunch that’s just heavenly!
- Salt, to taste: Just a couple pinches to enhance those flavors.
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish): Yes, please! They add a nice little crunch and a bit of flair.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix the Filling (5 minutes): Start by grabbing a bowl and combining the drained tuna with Kewpie mayo and sriracha. Add a couple pinches of salt to taste. Stir it all together until it’s well mixed. You want it creamy and slightly spicy, smell that? Yum!
Prep Your Rice (5 minutes): If you haven’t cooked your sushi rice yet, make sure that’s done before progressing. Sushi rice is stickier than regular rice, which is perfect for making those compact rice balls.
Shape the Rice (10 minutes): Now for the fun part! Wet your hands (this really helps the rice not stick) and grab about 1/2 cup of sushi rice. Flatten it in the palm of your hand to create a small bowl shape. Here’s where you’ll scoop in a spoonful of that tasty spicy tuna mixture we whipped up earlier.
Form the Balls (5 minutes): Gently fold the rice over the filling to mold it into a triangle or oval-shaped ball, your choice! This step might feel a bit tricky at first, but just keep molding until you’ve got a nice, compact shape.
Add Nori (3 minutes): You can either wrap your rice ball with a strip of nori or serve it with the nori on the side, your call! I like a little strip around my rice ball for that extra crunch, but it’s also fun to dip it in.
Finish with Sesame Seeds (optional): If you want to add some visual appeal and a hint of nuttiness, sprinkle sesame seeds on top of your rice balls. Seriously, aren’t they adorable?
Serve & Enjoy!: These can be enjoyed immediately as a snack, breakfast treat, or a quick meal. Don’t forget to share with the family, or maybe not; they might just disappear faster than you can say “spicy tuna!”
If you loved this Spicy Tuna Rice Balls, be sure to check out my Japanese Egg Sandwich, my Japanese Hamburg Steak, or my Japanese Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick yet satisfying!
Minimal Cleanup Required
With everything coming together in just a few bowls, you won’t have a mountain of dishes to tackle after dinner.
Affordable Ingredients
Most of these ingredients are everyday staples! Tuna, rice, mayo, grab them on your next shopping trip, and you’re good to go.
Comforting and Flavorful
These rice balls are loaded with tons of flavor, making them a family favorite that’s sure to please everyone around the table.
Customizable
Feel free to swap out any ingredients to make this dish fit your taste! Veggies, different proteins, or drizzling with some soy sauce can easily turn this into your new favorite!
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these spicy tuna rice balls as a standalone meal or alongside some quick pickled vegetables for added crunch. You could also pair them with a fresh cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast.
Storage
These rice balls will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. But let’s be real; they might not last that long!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, I recommend popping them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warmed through. Keep the nori on the side until serving, to ensure they stay nice and crunchy.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze these rice balls for up to a month. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before placing them in an airtight container. To enjoy, defrost in the fridge overnight and then warm them up!
I love that this Spicy Tuna Rice Balls recipe combines simplicity with tons of flavors. It’s packed with the comforting elements that make it a total crowd-pleaser, and yet it’s versatile enough to accommodate whatever you’ve got in the fridge. So roll up your sleeves and let’s make some magic in the kitchen today!
Remember, it’s all about the joy of cooking together, so gather your family, tackle this together, and enjoy every bite.
Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Spicy Tuna Rice Balls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
A quick and easy recipe for spicy tuna rice balls that your family will love—perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked sushi rice
- 1 can tuna, drained
- 3 tablespoons Kewpie mayo
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- Roasted seaweed sheets (nori)
- Salt, to taste
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix the Filling: Start by grabbing a bowl and combining the drained tuna with Kewpie mayo and sriracha. Add a couple pinches of salt to taste. Stir it all together until it’s well mixed.
- Prep Your Rice: If you haven’t cooked your sushi rice yet, make sure that’s done before progressing.
- Shape the Rice: Wet your hands and grab about 1/2 cup of sushi rice. Flatten it in the palm of your hand to create a small bowl shape.
- Form the Balls: Gently fold the rice over the filling to mold it into a triangle or oval-shaped ball.
- Add Nori: You can either wrap your rice ball with a strip of nori or serve it with the nori on the side.
- Finish with Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of your rice balls for extra flair.
- Serve & Enjoy: These can be enjoyed immediately as a snack, breakfast treat, or a quick meal.
Notes
Feel free to customize ingredients to suit your taste! Great for cleaning out the fridge.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg