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    Home

    Tuna Fried Rice

    Last Updated: Jun 30, 2023 by Suzy Sakamoto · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Share on Facebook

    Skip the take out and whip up this tuna fried rice recipe in no time! It will absolutely satisfy your Asian-cuisine cravings! This recipe is made with tender pieces of tuna, crispy rice that's bursting with flavor, and vegetables to tie this hardy dish together. Yes, please!

    tuna fried rice in a japanese chopstick bowl

    I make a delicious Asian seafood dish at least once a week. They're packed with flavor and easy to whip up for a quick and hardy weeknight meal for the family.

    Similar to this tuna and rice recipe, I like to make this shrimp poke bowl, furikake salmon that's crunchy and packed with that umami flavor we all love. Air fried teriyaki salmon that's one of the easiest, yet delicious recipes. And, of course, a classic shrimp yakisoba!

    For a crunchy and creamy appetizer that pairs well with fried rice with tuna, are Crab rangoons. If you're looking for something to sip on, opt for a good cold beer, or this Spicy Mango Margarita!

    Tuna fried rice in japanese bowls with chopsticks

    HOW TO MAKE TUNA FRIED RICE

    To make this tuna and rice recipe, you will need cooked rice, a few cans of good quality tuna, diced onions, eggs, diced carrots and peas, flavorless oil and of course a delicious homemade sauce mixture to flavor the meal.

    First, heat up a pan with the oil and sauté the onions, then, add the garlic, cooked rice, and the vegetables. Mix everything, and allow the rice, sauce mixture, and the canned tuna. Sprinkle on the rest of the green onions.

    Then you're ready to serve and enjoy your delicious tuna fried rice! Full step-by-step instructions below!

    ingredients for tuna fried rice

    RECIPE INGREDIENTS

    • Canned Tuna. There is a large selection of canned tuna on the market. Choose one you find is good quality. Purchasing from family-owned fisheries or fish markets is a great option for finding quality canned tuna.
    • Cooked rice. Use short-grain or sushi rice since they work best for fried rice.
    • Flavorless oil. Great option is avocado oil, otherwise use canola or vegetable.
    • Eggs.
    • Fresh minced garlic.
    • Green onions.
    • Peas and carrots. Frozen and thawed, or fresh both work.
    • Fried rice sauce ingredients:
      • Sesame oil
      • Toasted sesame seeds
      • Umami seasoning
      • Asian red pepper (powder) or use cayenne or red pepper flakes. Add as much as you'd like, but I recommend starting with less and increasing if it's not spicy enough.
      • Black pepper.
      • Freshly grated ginger.
      • Soy sauce.
      • Rice vinegar.
      • Fish sauce.
      • Lime zest.
      • Sugar.

    tuna fried rice in a large pan

    STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    1. First, start by adding the tuna fried rice sauce ingredients into a medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside to use later.
    2. To a large pan or wok on medium heat, add the oil and half of the green onions.
    3. Sauté until lightly softened, then add the minced garlic.
    4. Before the garlic gets fragrant, increase the temperature to medium-high and immediately add rice, then the peas and carrots.
    5. Allow the rice to crisp on the bottom before stirring. This usually takes a minute or two at every stir. Stir and repeat until it’s lightly crisped.
    6. Add in the sauce mixture and stir until the rice is completely coated.
    7. Move the rice to the edges of the pan to make a hole in the middle and scramble the eggs. Once they’re fluffy, stir them into the rice.
    8. Open the cans of tuna and drain completely. Add the tuna and cook until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes.
    9. Gently fold the tuna into the fried rice. Add the rest of the green onions and serve warm.

    VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

    • Change up the vegetables! Add peppers, yellow onions, yams, celery, broccoli or other veggies you have on hand.
    • Make it spicy! Add more red pepper or chopped pickled jalapenos.
    • Use fresh ahi or albacore tuna instead of canned.
    • Can't have soy sauce? Try another variation of it, like low-sodium, or coconut aminos.

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    fried rice with tuna in a japanese chopstick bowl

    EXPERT TIPS

    Here are some expert tips to help you make the best fried rice with tuna:

    1. Use day-old rice for the best results. Freshly cooked rice can be too moist and sticky, making it difficult to fry properly. If you don't have day-old rice, try spreading fresh rice out on a baking sheet and letting it cool completely before using.

    2. Drain the tuna well before adding it to the pan. Excess liquid can make the rice soggy, and we want crispy!

    3. Get creative with your vegetable add-ins! Vegetables like peas, carrots, and onions are classic choices, but you could also try adding in some chopped peppers, pineapple, cashews, or even a dash of curry powder.

    4. Make sure your pan or wok is hot enough before adding the rice. You want to hear a sizzling sound when you add the rice to the pan, which helps to give it the best crispy texture.

    5. Finally, don't forget the soy sauce! This salty, umami-rich sauce is essential to achieving that classic fried rice flavor. Start with the amount in this recipe and adjust to taste.

    SERVING TIPS

    Once your tuna fried rice is cooked to your liking, it's time to serve it up! Here are some of my serving tips:

    1. Use a large serving spoon or spatula to transfer the fried rice to a serving dish.

    2. Garnish with some chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro for a pop of color and flavor.

    3. Serve hot, either on its own or as a side dish with your favorite protein.

    STORAGE TIPS

    If you have any canned tuna fried rice leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for up to 3 days.

    When reheating, be sure to add a splash of water or broth to the rice to help loosen it up and prevent it from drying out.

    HOW TO PREP AHEAD

    Prepping the entire meal in advance and reheating once you're ready to enjoy is definitely in the cards! I totally understand busy days, as a mom of almost 4.

    FAQ

    How do I prevent the fried rice from becoming too wet?

    Make sure to use day-old rice for best results. Or cook the rice beforehand and let it cool completely before adding it to the pan. Also, avoid adding too much soy sauce or other liquids to the fried rice.

    Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned tuna?

    Yes, you can use fresh tuna instead of canned. To make it, cook the fresh tuna before adding it to the dish. Another way is to cook the tuna in the beginning, then remove and proceed with the rest of the steps.

    Can I use another seafood?

    Yes. You can substitute tuna for canned salmon, or go for cooked shrimp instead. Be sure to cook any raw seafood in advance first.

    How can I make this recipe healthier?

    There are several substitutions you can make to make this tuna egg fried rice healthier. For the rice, substitute with brown rice or cauliflower rice. For the soy sauce, you can substitute coconut aminos. Use a healthy flavorless oil and ditch the vegetable and canola. I always use avocado oil for meals like this.

    MORE SEAFOOD RICE RECIPES

    • air fryer teriyaki salmon with sesame seeds on a bed of rice
      Super Easy Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
    • baked furikake salmon with a side of rice cucumber and avocado
      Baked Furikake Salmon
    • ingredients for salmon sushi bake recipe
      Easy Spicy Salmon Sushi Bake
    • shrimp poke bowl with cucumber carrots edamame and spicy mayo sauce
      Easy Shrimp Poke Bowl

    I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! When you make this dish, please RATE using the ⭐️stars, and COMMENT at the end of the page. I love connecting with you in the comments section.

    Make sure to share this recipe (there's an easy SHARE on FB button in the recipe card!) or post your picture on Instagram and tag @theperfecttide.

    tuna fried rice in a japanese chopstick bowl

    Tuna Fried Rice

    Tuna fried rice is a go-to hardy weeknight meal that's easy to make and features quality canned tuna, eggs, rice, and veggies. It's the most flavorful tuna and rice recipe!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 415 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups cooked rice preferably short grain sushi rice
    • 7 oz canned tuna
    • 2 eggs
    • ⅓ cup flavorless oil avocado, canola, vegetable
    • ⅓ cup sliced green onions reserve half for topping
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 ½ cups of peas and carrots

    For The Fried Rice Sauce

    • 2 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
    • 1 teaspoon umami seasoning
    • Pinch of red pepper
    • Pinch of black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
    • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon fish sauce
    • 1 lime zested
    • 1 teaspoon sugar

    Instructions
     

    • First, start by adding the sauce ingredients into a medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside to use later.
    • To a large pan or wok on medium heat, add the oil and half of the green onions.
    • Saute until lightly softened, then add the minced garlic.
    • Before the garlic gets fragrant, increase the temperature to medium-high and immediately add rice, then the peas and carrots.
    • Allow the rice to crisp on the bottom before stirring. This usually takes a minute or two at every stir. Stir and repeat until it’s lightly crisped.
    • Add in the sauce mixture and stir until the rice is completely coated.
    • Move the rice to the edges of the pan to make a hole in the middle and scramble the eggs. Once they’re fluffy, stir them into the rice.
    • Open the cans of tuna and drain them completely. Add the tuna and cook until warmed through. This takes about 2-3 minutes.
    • Gently fold the tuna into the fried rice. Add the rest of the green onions and serve warm.

    Notes

    STORAGE TIPS
    If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for up to 3 days.
    When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to the rice to help loosen it up and prevent it from drying.
     
    VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
      • Change up the vegetables! Add peppers, yellow onions, yams, celery, broccoli or other veggies you have on hand.
      • Make it spicy! Add more red pepper or chopped pickled jalapenos.
      • Use fresh ahi or albacore tuna instead of canned.
      • Can't have soy sauce? Try another variation of it, like low-sodium, or coconut aminos.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 37gFat: 19g
    Keyword canned tuna recipe, seafood fried rice, tuna and rice
    Loved this recipe?Give us a 5 star review & Share!

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    Here you will find authentic Mediterranean recipes and a variety of fresh seafood recipes that are easy to achieve, feature fresh ingredients, and are packed with flavor! We aim for a catch-and-cook lifestyle for our family, and my seafood recipes are tested, perfected, and easy to re-create! Subscribe to get them via email.

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