Poke Bowls are healthy, customizable and incredibly easy to make with barely any cooking required. Don’t be intimidated by working with raw fish! This recipe also includes tips for how to select high-quality fish for your poke bowl.
This tuna poke bowl recipe is life-changing if you are a fan of poke bowls but are intimidated by the prospect of preparing raw fish at home. Read more about “poke” and how to make these healthy bowls at home!
What is Poke?
Poke simply means “chunk” in Hawaiian. Poke typically means small chunks of marinated seafood. Fun fact: poke is pronounced poh-KAY and rhymes with OK.
Are Poke Bowls Healthy?
Poke bowls are typically very healthy. Salmon and tuna contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids. However, you may be aware that tuna has been found to be high in mercury so should be eaten in moderation.
Poke bowls can be customized with a variety of differing healthy toppings. Healthier options include:
- Raw vegetables and fruit like cucumber, radish, mango and carrots which deliver fiber, hydration and have powerful phytonutrients
- Sea vegetables (like seaweed) which are detoxing and deliver antioxidants
- Avocado which has healthy fat and is anti-inflammatory
To keep poke bowls healthy, use mayo-based toppings in moderation.
Tips for Buying and Preparing Fish for Poke Bowls
The terms “sushi-grade” and “sashimi-grade” are actually marketing terms which are not regulated. There are however general FDA guidelines for handing raw fish for consumption. Here are some tips on how to select fresh fish:
- Buy from a trusted, reputable fish-monger or fish counter. The facility should be clean and the fish stored in and over ice.
- Ask if the fish is safe for raw consumption. While again, there is no official grading system for raw fish, it is best to also get a confident confirmation from the fishmonger that its okay to eat raw. If they are “not sure” I’d look for fish elsewhere.
- Order fish online. There are reputable companies that ship such as Catalina Offshore Products or Seattle Fish Company.
What are the Ingredients in a Tuna Poke Bowl?
- Poke – Use either raw salmon or ahi tuna. See tips below on how to purchase the freshest fish. In this recipe the tuna is seasoned in a sauce made with coconut aminos, sesame oil, rice vinegar and ginger.
- Seasoned rice – You can use either white or brown rice depending on your preference. For this recipe the rice is seasoned with a touch of rice vinegar.
- Additional toppings – I love poke bowls because they are customizable. Topping ideas include: seaweed, carrots, mango, edamame, radish, cucumber, avocado, scallions, sesame seeds.
How to Make a Tuna Poke Bowl?
I love making poke bowls because they are so easy to assemble.
- Marinate the fish – First, cube the fish. Then mix together the green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar and coconut aminos. Set aside half the marinade for dressing the bowl. Let the fish marinate in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
- Prepare the rice – Rinse the rice well and then cook according to package directions in water seasoned with the rice vinegar. Set aside and let cool. You can also use prepackaged rice and add the vinegar.
- Choose your toppings and slice the vegetables – While the rice is cooking slice your toppings.
- Assemble! Divide the rice between 2 bowls. Top with 1/2 the poke mixture and the desired toppings. Drizzle with the remaining marinade.
Additional Recipes You May Like:
PrintTuna Poke Bowl
A quick and easy poke bowl recipe with healthy fats from the fish and avocado. If you use prepacked rice this recipe becomes “no-cook” and can be assembled in minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (for the rice)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Seafood
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
For the tuna:
- 3/4 pound tuna or salmon, sliced into small bite-sized cubes
- 1/2 cup low sodium tamari or coconut aminos
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, white and green parts
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tsp grated ginger
For the rice:*
- 3/4 cup white or brown rice, rinsed
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
Toppings:
- Avocado, sliced or cubed
- 2/3 cup edamame
- Radish, thinly sliced
- Cucumber, thinly sliced
- Carrot, thinly sliced
- Mango, diced
- Shredded carrot
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cube the fish into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix together the green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar and coconut aminos. Set aside half the marinade for dressing the bowl. Let the fish marinate in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse the rice well and then cook according to package directions in water seasoned with the rice vinegar. Set aside and let cool. (You can also use prepackaged rice and add the vinegar.)
- While the rice is cooking, choose your toppings and slide your vegetables/fruit.
- Assemble! Divide the rice between 2 bowls. Top with 1/2 the poke mixture and the desired toppings. Drizzle with the remaining marinade.
Notes
*If using prepackaged rice, add the sprinkle the rice vinegar and mix well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 tuna mixture and 3/4 cup cooked rice
- Calories: 275
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 33
- Cholesterol: 750 mg