If you love bold flavor with a desirable heat, we suggest trying the spicy tuna recipe. It is a versatile dish. You can use spicy tuna in sushi rolls, rice bowls, or as a quick appetizer.
The most interesting fact is that you can prepare spicy tuna sushi within a short time with very little effort. You don’t require any complicated cooking skills to make the tuna sushi.
We will discuss about required ingredients, a 10-step process, and special tips to prepare the authentic Japanese spicy tuna sushi roll. Continue reading till the end to learn the best spicy tuna recipe. Don’t miss the end to get restaurant-quality results.

Why You Must Try This Recipe at Home?
Spicy tuna sushi is a popular dish in a 5-star restaurant. Many people can’t have sushi from a restaurant because of financial issues. Making the spicy tuna sushi recipe at home can be a cost-effective option. Additionally, you have control over taste and freshness.
It is quite simple to make premium-quality tuna dishes, and you also require only a few quality ingredients.
Besides, you can add extra toppings like avocado, cucumber, and tomato to make the recipe healthier. You also know that you can get fresh, preservative-free, and hygienic food only when it is homemade.
Ingredients and Substitutions You Need for This Recipe
Ingredients are common. To get premium-quality sushi, you need to use premium-quality ingredients. Here are the ingredient details with alternative options.
Ingredient | Amount | Substitution/Notes |
Fresh Sushi-grade tuna | 1 cup | Salmon, cooked shrimp, or crab sticks |
Sushi rice | 2 cups | Short-grain rice cooked with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt |
Nori Sheets | 4 | Soy paper for wrapping |
Cucumber | 2 large-sized | Carrots or bell pepper |
Spicy mayo | 1 teaspoon | Mayonnaise with siracha or chili paste |
Avocado | 1 piece | Use as a healthy filling |
Soy sauce | 2 tablespoons | Tamari |
Wasabi paste | According to your taste | Horseradish for similar heat |
Sesame seeds | 1 tablespoon | Optional, for a strong flavor |
- Tuna, sushi rice, and cucumber are the key ingredients, which create the base of this sushi roll.
- Spicy mayo is for providing the spicy flavor.
- Nori sheet is an essential ingredient for making sushi.
- Soysauce will be used as a dipping sauce for the sushi.
- Wasabi paste brings desirable heat and pungent flavor.
How to Make Spicy Tuna Sushi: Simple 10 Steps
Make authentic spicy tuna sushi effortlessly with our recipe. Do follow these steps correctly.
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Cook sushi rice with an adequate amount of water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. You have to cook the rice until it becomes soft and sticky. After you get the cooked rice, cool it to room temperature.
Step 2: Prepare the Tuna
Dice the sushi-grade tuna using a sharp knife. Take them in a bowl and add spicy mayo to it. Then, mix them well to coat evenly.
Step 3: Prepare the Cucumber and Avocado
Wash the cucumbers and avocado. Then, cut them into ribbon shapes. And cut the avocado into thin slices.
Step 4: Set up the Rolling Mat
To roll the sushi, you will need a bamboo sushi mat. Cover it with a plastic wrap to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Place the Nori
After setting the rolling mat, initially lay a nori sheet on it. The shiny side will be down on the mat.
Step 6: Spread the Sticky Rice
The nori sheet is placed. Now, wet your hands and spread a thin layer of sticky rice over the nori sheet. Don’t forget to leave 1 inch at the top edge.
Step 7: Add Fillings
Now, place the cucumber, avocado, and spicy tuna along the center of the sticky rice layer. Cucumber helps to get the spicy crunchy tuna roll.
Step 8: Roll Tightly
After completing the filling, tightly roll the sushi using gentle pressure. Don’t use high pressure, otherwise the sushi fillings may disrupt outside or the shape may become irregular.
Step 9: Slice
The spicy tuna roll is ready. Now, slice them into 6 to 8 even pieces using a sharp knife.
Step 10: Garnish and Serve
Garnish the spicy tuna sushi using sesame seeds. Then, serve the sushi with soy sauce, wasabi paste, or pickled.
Chef’s Notes and Tips
- It is mandatory to use sushi-grade tuna always, as we make the raw tuna sushi. Sushi-grade tuna is safe to consume.
- While slicing the sushi, you should keep your knife wet to avoid sticking with the sticky rice.
- You can adjust the spice level by adjusting the amount of sriracha during preparing the spicy mayo.
- Many professionals suggest chilling the sushi rolls for a few minutes before slicing. It assists in cleaner cuts.

Spicy Tuna Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sushi-grade Tuna Diced
- 2 Cups Sushi Rice Cooked & Seasoned
- 4 Sheets Nori Sheets Seaweed
- 1/2 Cup Cucumber Ribbon Shapes
- 1 Piece Avocado
- 2-3 Tbsp Spicy Mayo
- Soy Sauce For Dipping
- Wasabi Paste As per taste
- 1 Tsp Sesame Seeds Optional
Instructions
- Read the ingredient list and collect all the required ingredients and instruments.
- First, cook the sushi rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Then, cool it down.
- Secondly, dice the tuna and mix with the spicy mayo to coat well.
- Thirdly, set up the bamboo sushi mat and place a sheet of nori shiny side down on the mat.
- Now, spread a thin layer of rice over the nori.
- After that, add cucumber, avocado, and spicy tuna along the center of the rice.
- Roll the bamboo mat with gentle pressure to make the sushi roll.
- Then, slice the roll into 6 – 8 pieces.
- Garnish using sesame seed and serve with soy sauce and wasabi paste.
Nutrition
Conclusion
The spicy tuna cucumber sushi roll is the best spicy tuna recipe with freshness, vibrant flavors, and a desirable balance between heat and crunch. Sushi in a restaurant is highly expensive. Using our recipe, you can easily make restaurant-quality sushi at home at a very low cost.
Sushi can elevate the standard of your home parties and festive dinners. Give it a try, and it may become a favorite dish in your home. Stay connected with us for more restaurant-like dishes.
FAQs
What Type of Tuna Should I Use for Spicy Tuna Recipes?
Experts suggest using sushi-grade tuna. This type of sushi is fresh and safe for human consumption. You should avoid using regular raw tuna from supermarkets because it may contain bacteria that can cause food-borne diseases.
Can I Prepare the Rolls Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the roll ahead of time. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic and refrigerate them for future use. You can store them for a maximum of 4 hours. Overnight refrigeration can make the nori sheet soggy.
However, if you want to get the best quality, freshly served rolls have no alternatives.
Can I Substitute Mayonnaise for Spicy Tuna?
Yes, of course. You can substitute mayonnaise for spicy tuna. In fact, mayonnaise is not so healthy. You can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for healthier spicy sushi. Mix Greek yogurt, salt, and black pepper with sriracha as a substitute for the spicy mayo.