Sushi night at home just got a whole lot easier! These Easy Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls are the ultimate combination of fresh, vibrant flavors with a touch of heat that will make your taste buds dance. Perfect for beginners and sushi enthusiasts alike, this recipe walks you through every step from preparing sushi rice to rolling perfect tuna-filled rolls.

Ingredients

Sushi Rice:
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 ½ cups water
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Spicy Tuna Filling:
- 8 oz fresh sushi-grade tuna, diced
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
Roll Assembly:
- 4–5 sheets nori (seaweed)
- 1 small cucumber, julienned
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Soy sauce, for serving
- Pickled ginger and wasabi, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, optional

Instructions

Prepare Sushi Rice:
Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a rice cooker or pot and cook according to package instructions.
Season the Rice:
In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt over low heat until dissolved. Gently fold the mixture into cooked rice while still warm. Let it cool to room temperature.
Make Spicy Tuna Filling:
In a medium bowl, mix diced tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, sesame oil, and chopped green onion until evenly coated. Taste and adjust sriracha for desired spiciness.
Prepare Rolling Station:
Lay a bamboo sushi mat on a flat surface and cover it with plastic wrap. Place a sheet of nori shiny side down on the mat.
Spread the Rice:
Wet your fingers with water to prevent sticking. Spread a thin, even layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving about 1 inch at the top edge uncovered.
Add Fillings:
Place a line of spicy tuna along the center of the rice. Add cucumber julienne and avocado slices on top.
Roll the Sushi:
Using the bamboo mat, carefully roll the nori over the filling, pressing gently to form a tight roll. Seal the edge with a bit of water.
Slice the Rolls:
With a sharp, wet knife, slice each roll into 6–8 pieces. Clean the knife between cuts to maintain clean edges.
Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the rolls if desired. Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and a small dab of wasabi.

Tips for Perfect Sushi Rolls

Rice Matters: Sushi rice is sticky by nature; do not skip rinsing—it removes excess starch for fluffier, non-gummy rice.
Keep Ingredients Cool: Cold tuna and vegetables help keep the rolls firm and easier to slice.
Knife Technique: Wet the knife between cuts to prevent rice from sticking and tearing the nori.
Rolling Tips: Roll slowly and evenly, using the mat to shape rather than squash the ingredients.

Variations

Crunchy Tuna Rolls: Add tempura flakes inside for texture.
Spicy Salmon Rolls: Substitute tuna with salmon for a different flavor profile.
Vegetarian Version: Replace tuna with spicy marinated tofu or avocado slices.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Easy Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls with a light Japanese beer or a cold glass of sake. They make a fun appetizer, party snack, or a main dish for sushi night at home. Pair with miso soup and seaweed salad for a complete Japanese-inspired meal.

Fun Facts About Sushi

Sushi dates back to 8th century Japan, originally a method of preserving fish in fermented rice.
“Sushi” actually refers to the rice preparation, not the fish itself.
Spicy tuna rolls are an American sushi invention, popularized in Los Angeles in the 1980s.

With this recipe, you can now bring restaurant-quality sushi to your kitchen without complicated tools or exotic ingredients. The combination of creamy, spicy tuna and fresh vegetables wrapped in perfectly seasoned sushi rice makes these rolls irresistible.