Heart-Healthy Tuna Nigiri
Elevate your sushi game with this 'Heart-Healthy Tuna Nigiri' recipe, a delightful twist on traditional nigiri that combines clean eating with gourmet flair. Made with fiber-rich brown sushi rice and naturally flavored with a light blend of rice vinegar, honey, and low-sodium soy sauce, this dish is as nutritious as it is delicious. Topped with tender slices of sushi-grade ahi tuna, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber, these bite-sized creations offer a balanced combination of lean protein and healthy fats. Ready in about an hour, this recipe is perfect for sushi lovers seeking a wholesome, homemade option. Garnish with sesame seeds, nori strips, or pickled ginger for an eye-catching presentation and extra flavor. Whether you're serving it for a date night, dinner party, or enjoying a treat-yourself moment, these heart-healthy tuna nigiri are sure to impress both your palate and your guests.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Brown sushi rice
- 1.5 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Low-sodium soy sauce
- 8 pieces Ahi tuna (sushi-grade), thinly sliced
- 4 slices Avocado, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Wasabi paste
- 2 tablespoons Pickled ginger (optional, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 1 sheet Nori sheets, cut into thin strips (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the brown sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and ensures fluffy rice.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 1.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
While the rice cooks, prepare the sushi vinegar mixture by combining rice vinegar, honey, and low-sodium soy sauce in a small bowl. Stir until the honey dissolves.
When the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and let it cool briefly. Gently fold the vinegar mixture into the rice using a wooden spatula, being careful not to smash the grains. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
With slightly damp hands, take a small amount of sushi rice (about 2 tablespoons) and form it into an oval shape approximately 2 inches long. Repeat to create 8 rice bases.
Place a small dab of wasabi paste on the top of each rice oval.
Top each rice oval with a piece of tuna. For variety and added heart-healthy fats, alternate some nigiri with avocado or cucumber slices.
Optional: If desired, garnish the nigiri with a pinch of sesame seeds, pickled ginger on the side, or secure the tuna to the rice with a thin strip of nori.
Serve the tuna nigiri immediately with more low-sodium soy sauce for dipping, if desired. Pair with a side of pickled ginger to cleanse the palate.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
517 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 13.0 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.2 g | 11% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 682 mg | 30% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 65.0 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.3 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 34.2 g | 68% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 114 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 913 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
