This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase something I recommend - at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting this blog!
My Tuna Poke Bowl recipe is fresh, easy, and absolutely mouthwatering. It’s also incredibly healthy—packed with satisfying protein and heart healthy omega-3s, it’s a dream for your taste buds AND your body!
What is a poke bowl?
Poke: if it’s popular enough that even People magazine and Today are talking about it, it’s gotta be something worth eating!
Tuna poke, ahi poke, spicy poke, Hawaiian poke—let me break it all down for you.
“Poke” means “to slice or cut” in Hawaiian. Poke bowls are native to Hawaii, where they’ve been common since the late 1800s. So if you’re hearing talk of “Hawaiian poke,” that’s why.
Thankfully, the past decade has brought poke bowls to a relatively wide distribution on the mainland.
At its core, a poke bowl is a bed of rice topped with marianted, fresh cubed fish and sprinkled with seasonings. These days? You can customize it however you like. While it’s traditionally made with Ahi (aka Yellowfin Tuna), it’s just as delicious with salmon, shrimp, or even tofu.
Spicy poke just means that there’s a delicious spicy sauce drizzled on top.
Tuna poke pronunciation
Good question. However tempting it might be to call it a poke bowl (as in poke-it-with-a-stick), don’t cave. It’s poh-KAY.
Asian Recipes
- Shabu Shabu Recipe in the Instant Pot
- Fresh or Frozen Chicken Teriyaki in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Curry (Pineapple Coconut!)
- Sunomono – Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Instant Pot Hot and Sour Soup
- Egg Drop Soup
- Cream Cheese Wontons (Air Fryer or Deep Fried)
- Instant Pot Kalua Pork
- Inari Sushi
- Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
- Instant Pot Meatloaf Cupcakes with Teriyaki Glaze
- Instant Pot Chicken Legs from Fresh or Frozen
Poke bowl ingredients
While I like to use relatively traditional ingredients, the sky’s the limit with poke bowl recipes. Want to go low-carb? Swap out the rice base for cauliflower rice, seaweed salad, or zoodles.
For toppings, I like to use sliced cucumber, avocado, and any other veggies that I have on hand. You can also experiment with edamame, pickled veggies, wilted greens, mango, or just about anything else that strikes your fancy. Make it your own!
If I’m adding lots of fresh veggies, I often use this chopper to dice everything up quickly, evenly, and easily.
It’s also really important to marinate the fish before you eat it; that’s what’s going to give your poke bowl a rich, umami flavor.
My marinade hinges on soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and fresh ginger.
How to select the right fish
Two words: sushi grade! It doesn’t really matter what kind of fish you use (I like salmon, too) so long as it’s sushi grade. Raw fish is healthy and wonderful, but it’s also dangerous if it’s not high quality.
Fresh is best! Buy from a local fish market if you can. Sometimes, you can find grocery stores that sell sashimi-grade. Ask the butcher for help! I purchase mine at Ocean Mart in Utah.
If you’re not in a coastal city, you’ll almost always find it frozen. You can easily defrost it overnight in the fridge, or wrapped and placed in cold water.
What kind of rice is best for poke bowls?
Short grain Japanese sushi rice is the crème de la crème. If you don’t happen to have that lying around your pantry, fret not—regular white, Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, Perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice, or brown rice work just fine!
Hot rice or cold?
Personally, I prefer warm rice. It creates a yummy contrast with the cold fish that warms my heart and belly alike!
I always rinse my rice before cooking it, and I make it in this rice cooker. It’s so much easier than a regular pot!
How to make a tuna poke bowl
So, what’ll it be? A spicy ahi poke bowl? A tuna poke bowl with avocado? Whatever tuna poke recipe you create, the steps are the same.
First, you’ll want to marinate your fish. Take that beautiful sashimi/sushi grade tuna, cut it into bite-size cubes, and marinate it with all of the spices for one hour in the fridge.
Next, spoon your marinated fish over a bed of fresh rice (or brown rice, zoodles, quinoa, cauliflower rice, etc.).
Finally, add your toppings and finish your poke bowl with a flourish of sriracha or spicy mayo. That’s it! You’re ready to serve.
Salmon poke recipe
A salmon poke recipe follows all of the same rules as a tuna poke bowl. If you’re torn between the two fishes, consider the differences in flavor and nutrition.
If you like a stronger fish flavor, salmon is the way to go. Nutrition-wise, salmon packs more healthy fatty acids, while tuna has more protein.
Tuna poke appetizer
Picture this: sophisticated, tiny bowls filled with poke salad; colorful skewers striped with deep pink tuna and bright green cucumber and vibrant yellow peppers.
Poke isn’t just an easy entree; it’s also a go-to appetizer that’s deceptively simple!
The poke skewers have no rice, so they make a great option for anyone trying to cut down on their carbs.
Asian Recipes
- Shabu Shabu Recipe in the Instant Pot
- Fresh or Frozen Chicken Teriyaki in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Curry (Pineapple Coconut!)
- Sunomono – Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Instant Pot Hot and Sour Soup
- Egg Drop Soup
- Cream Cheese Wontons (Air Fryer or Deep Fried)
- Instant Pot Kalua Pork
- Inari Sushi
More easy appetizers
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Instant Pot Whipped Cream Deviled Eggs
- Pressure Cooker Crab Legs
- Instant Pot Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Chives
- Instant Pot Artichokes
- Buffalo Drumsticks in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks
- Instant Pot Salt Potatoes (perfect for charcuterie or fondue)
- Taco Lettuce Wraps
Tuna Poke Bowl
This tuna poke bowl recipe is fresh, easy, and absolutely mouthwatering. It’s also incredibly healthy—packed with satisfying protein and heart healthy omega-3s, it’s a dream for your taste buds AND your body!
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 4
Calories: 337kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb sashimi/sushi grade tuna cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/3 cup green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup soy sauce regular or low sodium*
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1-2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger*
- 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha optional
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
For Serving
- Hot Japanese sticky rice
- Sliced or diced English Cucumbers
- Sliced avocados
- Sesame seeds
- Spicy mayo use Japanese Kewpie mayo with Sriracha
- Sprouts
- Lettuce
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all poke ingredients and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- Serve with rice and vegetables and enjoy!
PRODUCTS WE LOVE
NOTES
- *Coconut Aminos may be substituted for soy sauce
- Leftovers should be wrapped tightly and eaten within 24 hours.
- The smaller your fish is cut, the saltier it will be. I prefer 1/2 inch cubes.
NUTRITION
Serving: 1g | Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 1544mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
Tried this recipe?Mention @triedtestedandtrue!
Hi! I'm Lisa!
I founded Tried, Tested, and True in 2019 to help moms like me develop confidence and joy in the kitchen.
Since then, I have taught millions of home cooks around the world through our tried and true recipes and Youtube tutorials.
In 2021, I wrote my first book called, “I Love My Instant Pot: Cooking for One”!
Read My Full Story
Learn More About My Cookbook
