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Quick Japanese Tuna Onigiri Recipe

Quick Japanese Tuna Onigiri


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4.9 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 15min
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Sushi-inspired Japanese tuna onigiri delivers quick comfort through simple ingredients. Home cooks discover delightful rice triangles filled with savory protein, perfect for quick meals or lunch boxes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked short grain rice
  • 5.29 oz (150 g) canned tuna, drained
  • 0.5 tablespoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (Kewpie mayo)
  • 0.5 sheet nori, cut into 2 strips

Instructions

  1. Prepare Surface: Lay out plastic wrap on a clean workspace to facilitate rice shaping and handling.
  2. Season Rice: Combine warm rice with sesame oil and salt, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
  3. Prepare Filling: Blend drained tuna with mayonnaise to create a smooth, creamy mixture.
  4. Shape Rice Base: Form circular rice portions about half an inch thick on the plastic wrap, creating gentle indentations for the tuna filling.
  5. Assemble Onigiri: Carefully mold rice around the tuna center, using the plastic wrap to twist and shape into compact triangular or round formations.
  6. Finish and Wrap: Unwrap the plastic, refine the onigiri’s shape, and wrap thin nori strips around each rice ball (optionally toasting the nori beforehand for enhanced crispness).
  7. Serve: Present immediately while rice remains warm, offering a delightful Japanese-inspired snack with optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Prep Like a Pro: Use plastic wrap to prevent sticky rice and create perfectly shaped onigiri without messy hands.
  • Flavor Boost: Season rice with sesame oil and salt while it’s warm to ensure deep, even flavor penetration.
  • Tuna Trick: Drain canned tuna completely to prevent watery filling and mix with mayonnaise for creamy consistency.
  • Nori Ninja: Toast seaweed strips briefly to elevate texture and release subtle nutty aromas before wrapping onigiri.
  • Prep Time: 10min
  • Cook Time: 5min
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg