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Red’s Favorite Spicy Tuna Poke Bowls. Homemade tuna poke with spicy gingery tuna, steamed rice, all the best toppings, and our favorite spicy, sweet, and creamy mayo sauce. I top each bowl off with fried shallot crumbs for crunch, then add fresh avocado, and a generous side of the creamy mayo. Each bowl is colorful and full of so much flavor. A great family dinner, any night of the week.
After months of requests, I am finally sharing the poke bowls I’ve been making for my younger brother, Red. Everyone has been asking for this recipe, but I hesitated for so long.
Not because this isn’t a good recipe, but more because I make the poke a little differently each time and have never written down the recipe. Poke is one of those dinners you can make with just a few ingredients or with a lot of ingredients. None of the measurements have to be exact. And each person can customize their bowls to their liking, which makes it great if you’re feeding a more picky crowd.
Anyway, I’ve never written down the poke bowl recipe I put together for Red, so I’ve never shared it, but the time has finally come. I wrote some things down, figured out our favorite poke combinations, and here we are!
Poke bowls for Monday night dinner…just in time for Red, who’s finally coming home to CO tonight after being in China.
The Poke
Since poke is really all about the tuna, make sure you’re using fresh sushi-grade tuna. I always buy mine at Whole Foods, but I will say, they don’t always have it. It’s a little hit or miss, but when they do, I snatch it up for poke.
Cube the tuna, and for the marinade, I like to keep mine simple: tamari (soy sauce), sesame chili oil, ginger, and then green onions and toasted sesame seeds. I’ve found this to be the combo everyone loves most. If you don’t like spicy food, just use sesame oil.
Most poke bowls have a spicy mayo on top. It’s usually just mayo and sriracha mixed together. This is great and super simple, but I like to add tamari and a small amount of honey to balance the spiciness.
The added salt and sweetness make the sauce just a little more special. It’s creamy and honestly so delicious. And we’re not really a mayo-loving family either.
Everything else
The only other “must-have” is rice. You have to have rice to serve the poke over, then the rest is all extra.
My bowls almost always include a quick cucumber salad and avocado.
I made these bowls extra special with some fried shallots mixed with Panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds. It’s definitely extra, but so delicious.
Everyone in my family has agreed (well except my mom, she will not eat fish), they could easily eat this once a week. It’s on rotation when Red and Hailey are home.
Looking for other seafood?
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with Fried Avocado
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Honey Garlic Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls
Lastly, if you make Red’s Favorite Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Red’s Favorite Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 843 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Poke
- 2 (4 ounce) sushi grade tuna steaks, cubed
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon sesame chili oil or regular sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup Persian cucumbers, sliced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3-4 cups sushi rice, cooked
- avocado, pickled ginger, and nori sheets – for serving
- fried shallot crumbs (recipe in notes)
Spicy Mayo
- 1/3 cup olive oil mayo
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- 1. To make the poke. In a medium bowl, combine the tuna, soy sauce (or tamari), sesame chili oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, green onion, and sesame seeds. Toss to mix.2. To make the cucumber salad. Toss together the cucumbers, rice vinegar, honey, and a pinch each of chili flakes and salt. 3. To make the Spicy Mayo. In a small bowl, stir together the mayo, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce (or tamari). 4. To assemble, add the rice to bowls, top with avocado, cucumber salad, poke, pickled ginger, green onions, and nori. Spoon over the spicy mayo. Sprinkle on the crumbs. Serve with additional spicy mayo.
Notes
Fried Shallot Crumbs: In a skillet combine 2 tablespoons sesame oil and 2 thinly sliced shallots over medium heat. Cook until golden, 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add 1/3 cup Panko and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Season with salt.Â
Excellent!! We added some mango, red peppers and edamame. The panko and shallots … magic.
Hey Sonya,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Excellent! My husband loved it and said he could eat this once a week. I’ve turned so many people on to your recipes! We share photos and comments. Love them all! Can’t wait for the new cookbook to arrive.
Hey Christine,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
This recipe was incredible! I made it with Arborio rice since the store was out of sushi rice. Can’t wait to make it again!
Hey Steph,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Made this for dinner tonight. Excellent. Just ordered your new cookbook can’t wait.
Hey Alexis,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
Another huge hit in our house. This was delicious and super easy to pull together.
Hey Sheila,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! ? xx
Delicious tuna poke bowl! The flavors in the marinade, salad, and spicy May had the perfect balance is sweet and heat. The added shallot crumb added a great crunch. This will be our go to poke bowl.
Hey Jackie,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
This tasted better than any poke bowl you could get at the store or restaurant!! All of the flavors come together so well for a delicious, easy, fresh dinner! Adults and kids all enjoyed thoroughly. Will definitely make again and again!
Hey Lindsay,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) ?xx
Absolutely delicious! I added shredded carrots to the cucumber salad because I like them in my Poke. I also bought fried onions to put on top. It was amazing! The tuna marinade made it so good!!
Hi Lori,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
OMG!!! Hands down best poke bowl I have ever had!! Flavor bomb!!! Just a couple additions…added thinly sliced carrots to the cucumber salad, and a few chopped snap peas for extra veggie. Love brown rice so subbed for sushi rice. Will need making this again and again! Thank you!!! Love your recipes!
Hi Connie,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx
I made this for dinner last night. We are fans of most fish recipes, but this one was a huge hit! My 8-year-old requested I make it part of the weekly dinner menu. Directions were easy to follow and it was a fairly simple weeknight meal to make. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Shanna,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx
Absolutely delicious. Also, easy, not crazily time consuming and with fairly common or easily acquired ingredients. So happy to have found this one.
Hi Patricia,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Making this tonight while visiting my older sister in Florida— love that you have a special dish that your youngest brother loves, this might be ours too!
I hope you all love the recipe Gail!! xx
Delicious at home Poke bowls! Really had me feeling like I was back in Hawaii! Also, very easy to make.
Hi Cara,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear that it was a hit!! xTieghan
I made this for lunch today and it was perfect for a light bite. Great recipe, thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Colleen,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xx
Hi Tiegehn, heading out tomorrow to buy ingredients – wanted to ask – do you make the pickled ginger or is this bought? First time I’ve seen this. Let me know please and can’t wait to try! ?
Hi Ivana,
You should be able to find the pickled ginger at your local grocery store. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan