These Tuna Steak Poke Bowls are a delicious twist on the popular restaurant dish – this recipe includes fun and unusual toppings to switch it up!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Carrot – replace the carrot with another vegetable like zucchini spirals, broccoli florets or edamame.
- Red cabbage – feel free to use broccoli slaw or Napa cabbage instead.
- Grapefruit – mango or pineapple would also be good in these bowls. You could also just leave the fruit out altogether.
- Avocado – swap out for another vegetable of your choice.
- Cucumber – swap out for another vegetable of your choice.
- Sprouts – swap out for another vegetable of your choice.
- Green onions – use red onion or chives if you don’t have any green onions.
Poke
- Olive oil – any neutral oil will work in place of olive oil.
- Tuna steak – sashimi grade salmon would also work for this recipe.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
- Sesame seeds – both white or black sesame seeds would be a good garnish.
- Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes for soy sauce.
- Habanero sauce – use the recipe below or if you’re in a pinch, use a store-bought sauce. You can also replace the habanero sauce entirely with spicy mayo.
Habanero sauce
- Habanero peppers – Scotch bonnet peppers can also be used.
- Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Vinegar – use apple cider vinegar or lemon or lime juice.
- Salt – to taste.
Brown rice
- Brown rice – brown rice is a healthier option but sushi rice or jasmine rice can also be used.
- Butter – or another dairy-free butter substitute of your choice.
- Salt – to taste.
How to make poke bowls
- Cook the brown rice.
- Make the habanero sauce.
- Sear the tuna steaks.
- Assemble your bowls and serve!
What is usually in poke bowls?
Poke bowls usually contain fish, rice, veggies and sauce. For this recipe, I used some unexpected ingredients like grapefruit and a spicy kick with the habanero sauce, but feel free to get creative with your poke bowl toppings.
Here are some more ideas of what to add to your poke bowl:
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Broccoli slaw
- Spiralized zucchini
- Edamame
- Wasabi mayo
- Spicy mayo
- Quinoa
Frequently Asked Questions
A poke bowl typically consists of raw or seared fish, rice and a variety of veggies. For this recipe, I used seared tuna steaks, brown rice, veggies, grapefruit and a spicy habanero sauce for added flavour.
Yes! This recipe is super healthy since it consists of lean protein, lots of veggies that are full of nutrients and brown rice.
Poke is traditionally a Hawaiian dish, although it’s inspired by sushi, which originated in Japan. It’s a native Hawaiian dish that’s super tasty and packed with flavour!
Storing and reheating
You can store this healthy poke bowl in the fridge for up to 3 days after you've made it. Store the bowls whole or separate the components and store them separately.
If you prefer to sear your tuna the next day (I only recommend this if the tuna is still very raw in the centre), then you will want to keep your tuna separately from the rest of the ingredients. Otherwise, this dish can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Freezing the brown rice
Even though this isn't a freezer-friendly meal, you can freeze any leftover rice for future meals! Transfer the room temperature rice to Ziploc bags or airtight containers, then freeze for up to 1 month.
When you're ready to enjoy your rice, put it into a pan straight from frozen to make fried rice or sprinkle some water over top and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes until fully warmed through.
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More healthy bowl ideas
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning these delicious bowls into your weekly lunches.
Easy Tuna Steak Poke Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 carrot spiralized
- 1/2 cup red cabbage chopped
- 2 large slices grapefruit
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber chopped
- 1/2 cup sprouts
- 4 green onions sliced
Poke
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 16 oz tuna steak
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- habanero sauce, to serve (recipe below)
Habanero sauce
- 5 habanero or scotch bonnet peppers de-seeded
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
Brown rice
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Cook all the ingredients under the brown rice heading in a rice cooker or a pot on the stove until liquid has fully absorbed, about half an hour.
- Meanwhile, season tuna steak with salt, pepper and sesame seeds, making sure tuna is coated. Make the habanero sauce by adding all ingredients under that heading to a small blender or food processor.
- Divide vegetables into four large bowls. Divide cooked brown rice among each bowl, and set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in medium frying pan over high heat. Once oil is close to smoking, add tuna, cooking for about 30-45 seconds per side.
- Remove from heat and let sit for a couple of minutes before cubing and tossing with soy sauce and a pinch of habanero sauce. Divide tuna among bowls. Use additional soy sauce and habanero sauce for the rest of the bowl as well to taste, or add spicy mayo and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Maegan says
YES! THis looks amazing!
Marie says
I haven’t been to Hawaii yet, but I’ve heard so much about the food over there. I’d gladly hop on a flight and enjoy a bowl of poke in the sun right about now! I’m sure I’ll make it there soon enough, but in the meantime, your recipe will bring the fresh and colorful flavors of the country to me. I’ve added this to my “From the Sea” Pinterest board. (Gorgeous pictures, by the way!)
Taylor Stinson says
Aww thank you Marie that really means alot!! I haven’t been to Hawaii either, but here’s counting down the days haha
Tess says
So these look PHENOMENAL! Definitely going to be including these in my meal plan for the coming weeks1
Taylor Stinson says
Thank you so much Tess! Let me know how it works out!
Beth (OMG! Yummy) says
We love our poke bowls in this house – new restaurant just opened up near us with a great version but now I think I might just make them at home! Thanks for the inspiration.
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Beth!! I have yet to find a great poke place in town. The trend hasn’t quite caught on in Toronto yet!
Bella B (xoxoBella) says
I pinned this. It looks so good! I would probably use salmon instead of tuna. 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
Yes you could definitely sub in salmon – go light on the cook time 🙂
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
Holy YUM! This buddha bowl with all things I love sound amazing! I love tuna poke!
Taylor Stinson says
Good to hear Bethany, thank you!! 🙂 I am addicted to Buddha Bowls!
Nicoletta says
Beautiful dish and gorgeous photos, Taylor! I love the colors and the flavors together. It looks so cheerful and I’m sure it tastes amazing!
Nicoletta says
Beautiful dish and gorgeous photos! I love the colors and the flavors together. It is so cheerful to look at and I’m sure so tasty!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Nicoletta!! 🙂
Sean says
Gah! So much colour! Seriously, February food is not supposed to look so freakin’ cheerful! It makes me feel like (or wish I was) back in Hawaii again. Honestly, this looks so fresh, and delicious, and amazing. I adore tuna poke, but I’d never really thought about adding so many fruits and veggies to the mix. It’s a brilliant idea.
Taylor Stinson says
Sean – I’m just jealous you have been to Hawaii and I haven’t!! Haha..I’m glad I was able to nail the colour though. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Samantha @mykitchenlove says
I am so excited to eat raw tuna again. I’ve been pregnant or nursing a baby for way too long that it will be a great treat! These poke bowls look amazing! Great photos (as usual)!
PS – Was it you that posted about “Burnt”? I watched it after your comment 😉 I’m eager to hear about your movie choice tonight.
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks so much Samantha!! No I don’t think I posted about Burnt haha I’m sure another one of us FBCers did though recently. Was it any good?? I need new movie ideas!!