The BEST Tuna and Rice Recipe (Made In Under 5 Minutes)

This tuna and rice recipe is such a lifesaver during busy days! It's a simple mix of canned tuna, creamy mayo, and black pepper piled on top of cooked rice. Then, all of that yumminess gets topped with chopped green onions. Honestly, it tastes like a dream! Plus, it's so, so easy to make. In fact, just 5 minutes is all you need to make it!

The Best Tuna and Rice

I like canned tuna and my favorite way to eat it is in this tuna mayo rice bowl!

This tuna rice bowl is one of those recipes that's both simple and delicious. The canned tuna, fluffy rice, and mayonnaise come together to make a creamy, flavorful combination that tastes like a dream.

Gah, it's so, so good!

It's my favorite healthy recipe to make I'm too tired to cook and/or too hungry to order food since it's so darn easy. All you have to do to make it is pop open a can of tuna and add it to a bowl, mix that up with a squeeze of mayo and black pepper, and then put all of that creamy tuna deliciousness on top of some hot rice.

How simple does that sound?

Honestly, it has to be the best tuna recipe of all time, right up next to my air fryer tuna steak recipe.

Ingredients

Another reason I love this tuna mayo rice bowl is that you only need 5 ingredients to make it. I typically have the ingredients on hand, and you might too!

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make this tuna mayo rice bowl:

• 2-3 cups of cooked rice (use whatever kind you prefer!)
• A 5-ounce can of tuna in water, drained well
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (or kewpie mayo)
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• Chopped green onions, scallions, or sesame seeds for topping

How simple is that?!

By the way, if you've got to pick up some canned tuna from the store to make this recipe, I highly recommend grabbing a few extra cans so you can make this tuna noodle casserole or this tuna rice casserole next! They're two more of my favorite canned tuna recipes I think you'll love.

My Ingredient Substitution Recommendations

Now, I always make this recipe with the ingredients listed above just because I think it tastes best that way. However, there are a few different ways you can change this recipe, and it'll turn out just as delicious!

Switch Up The Rice

For the fluffy rice, you can use any kind you want. I, of course, used white rice to make my tuna rice bowl. But, with that said, brown rice, jasmine rice, sushi rice, or even cauliflower rice will all work great as a substitute for it. Honestly, I've even used leftover rice to make this recipe before, and it's turned out great. Also, instant rice works great to save some time too. Speaking of rice, if you like recipes with rice, you'll want to check out this salmon sushi bake next.

Switch Up The Mayonnaise

Now, I typically use regular mayonnaise for my tuna rice bowl, but you can use any mayonnaise that you want! Some great options are kewpie mayo, Japanese mayo, and mayonnaise made with avocado oil. Oh, and if you like mayonnaise, you have to make this Chicken Salad Chick recipe.

Brighten Up The Flavors

A few squeezes of lemon juice on top of the tuna and rice gives it a bright, zesty flavor. This is such a simple addition, but it perks up the entire dish! Rice vinegar works really well, too, for a bit of tanginess.

Give It A Mediterranean Flavor

For a Mediterranean-inspired rice bowl, you can mix in some chopped kalamata olives, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and feta cheese. Then, you can drizzle your tuna rice bowl with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil for an added touch of flavor.

Optional Toppings

Lastly, to finish off this delicious rice bowl recipe, you can top it with some green onions, scallions, hot sauce, sriracha, soy sauce, or sesame oil. Sesame seeds are also a nice garnish if you go with more of an Asian vibe to your bowl.

How To Make Tuna Rice

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is beyond easy to make. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together, that's honestly all there is to it.

With that said, this recipe should take you no more than 10 minutes to make, and it'll be even quicker if you're using already-cooked rice.

Anyway, let's not waste another second and get cooking!

Step 1: Cook and Divide The Rice

First things first, if you haven't done so already, you'll want to cook the rice according to the package instructions. Then, after you've got the rice cooked, you can divide it into two serving bowls and set it aside.

Step 2: Mix The Tuna

Now that the rice is good to go, you can take out a large bowl and add the canned tuna, mayonnaise of your choice, and black pepper to it. Oh, and make sure that you drain the tuna before adding it to the bowl.

Anyway, next you can give these ingredients a good mix until they thoroughly combine.

Step 3: Assemble The Bowls

Ok, now that the rice and tuna are good to go, it's time to assemble these delicious bowls.

So, to do that, you'll want to divide the tuna mixture into two equal parts and layer it on top of the cooked rice in each bowl. Then, either give it all a mix - or you can keep it as is - and add any toppings that you want to it.

Enjoy!

How To Store Tuna with Rice

This recipe for tuna rice will make 2 nice-sized bowls, so it makes for the perfect lunch for two or a big dinner for one.

With that said, if you have any leftovers, you'll want to store the mixed rice and tuna in separate airtight containers. Stored this way, the opened canned tuna will last in the fridge for up to 4 days, and the cooked rice will also last in the fridge for up to 4 days.

FAQS About This Tuna Rice Recipe

Is tuna with rice good?

Yes, tuna with rice is a really delicious combination. It's common to combine the two in casseroles, salads, and even sushi. This recipe just dials down both the effort and ingredient list to create a simple yet delicious bowl of tuna & rice.

Is tuna and rice healthy?

Yes, when eaten in moderation, tuna is healthy. Tuna is a lean protein source that's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and vitamins B6 and B12. As for rice, it's a rich source of carbohydrates that can provide your body with energy. Brown rice, in particular, offers more health benefits since it's high in fiber, manganese, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins.

What mixes well with canned tuna?

There are actually quite a few things that mix well with canned tuna. For one, rice has to be the best thing that you can eat with tuna. The texture of the rice is just the perfect match for the canned tuna, and it's particularly delicious if you make this tuna mayo rice bowl. You can also mix canned tuna with pasta, cheese, bread, beans, or even eggs.

My Final Thoughts

Well, that's how to make a tuna rice bowl that's sure to impress anyone you serve it to.

This tuna and rice recipe is such a simple combination, yet it's so delicious. And since you need just a few basic ingredients and a couple of minutes of prep work to make it, you can have it on the table in no time.

Anyway, I hope you like this tuna mayo rice bowl recipe as much as I/we do.

As always, if you make it, leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

More Rice Recipes To Try

Did this tuna rice recipe get you in the mood for more quick and easy rice recipes? If it did, you're in luck. We have a bunch of other ones on the blog that you can try next!

Here are some reader favorites:

• Jollof rice
• Hibachi fried rice
• Seafood rice
• Jamaican rice and peas
• Broccoli rice casserole
• Stick of butter rice
• Hala cart chicken over rice
• Popeye's Cajun Rice

Oh, and for even more deliciousness, make sure to check us out on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. We post new recipes on 'em every day!