Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

Do you need a quick, but satisfying lunch? Try this tuna fried rice the next time you have some leftover rice languishing in the refrigerator.

SKIP TO RECIPE

As a Filipina, I eat a lot of rice.

Oftentimes I cook a pot of rice to last us a few days.

If it’s white rice, Tobi will not eat it as he gets hungry after a couple of hours. He needs heartier rice, like brown, red or black, which I also cook often.

But sometimes I really, really need white rice.

After all, white rice is what I grew up on.

So when I make white rice, Becca and I would often have it for lunch when Tobi is at work (as with a lot of other Filipino meals, like tapa, tocino, sisig, sinigang, tinola and the like, that he doesn’t enjoy as much as we do.)

More often than not, I make tuna fried rice. An added bonus is the vegetables in it, so Becca gets something healthy-ish. She loves peas, corn,and carrots, so I often add those in. But you may add other vegetables you want as well, like bell pepper and spring onions.

And don’t limit yourself to white rice; I have made this with red and black rice as well as quinoa.

I always have canned tuna on hand, and often make tuna sisig and tuna lumpia as well.

Here’s how I make my tuna fried rice:

I even made you a video, showing how easy it is to make!

If watching videos is not your thing, continue reading for the process.

Moisten the day-old rice with a tablespoon or two of water. Separate the grains with your fingers.

Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (1)

In a large frying pan, heat around 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is soft and the garlic is light brown.

Add the carrots and cook until the carrots are cooked to your liking. If I have bell pepper, I also add some diced bell pepper. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add the tuna and fry for a couple of minutes. Add more oil if needed. Season with a squeeze of lemon, if desired, and some salt and pepper.

Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (2)

Add the rice, peas, and corn. Mix well. Season with 2 tablespoons of toyomansi, (or 2 teaspoons lemon juice and 4 teaspoons soy sauce), salt and pepper. Mix well. Fry for at least 5 minutes, to crisp up the rice.

(For the non-Filipinos, toyomansi is a bottled sauce made up of soy sauce and calamansi juice. Toyo is Filipino for soy sauce. You may find toyomansi at an Asian store stocking up on Filipino items.)

Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (3)

Sometimes, I add an egg as well. To do this, scramble an egg in a small bowl. Season with a bit of salt.

Make a well in the center of the rice and add a splash of oil. Pour in the egg and cook until done to your liking. Mix well with the fried rice.

Top with green onions, if using.

Serve and enjoy.

Pin the recipe for Tuna Fried Rice here:

Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (4)

Other recipes you might enjoy:

Filipino-style Burger Steak

Chorizo Pudpud

Pork Adobo and Pork Sisig

Tweety

Yields 2

Serves 2

Tuna Fried Rice

A quick and satisfying lunch made with canned tuna, leftover rice and vegetables of choice.

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (6)

Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (7)Save Recipe

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups day old rice
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can (180-200 grams) tuna, in brine, drained
  • ¼ cup frozen peas
  • ¼ cup canned corn
  • 1 carrot, diced (around 1/3 cup)
  • Cooking oil of choice (I used coconut oil)
  • Seasonings:
  • Toyomansi, or lemon juice and soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Optional: sliced green onion for topping

Directions

  1. Moisten the day-old rice with a tablespoon or two of water. Separate the grains with your fingers.
  2. In a large frying pan, heat around 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is soft and the garlic is light brown.
  3. Add the carrots and cook until the carrots are cooked to your liking. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Add the tuna and fry for a couple of minutes. Add more oil if needed. Season with a squeeze of lemon, if desired, and some salt and pepper.
  5. Add the rice, peas and corn. Mix well. Season with 2 tablespoons of toyomansi, (2 teaspoons lemon juice and 4 teaspoons soy sauce), salt and pepper. Mix well. Fry for at least 5 minutes, to crisp up the rice.
  6. Top with green onions, if using.
  7. Serve.

7.8.1.2

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Canned Tuna Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are some secrets for perfect fried rice? ›

The key to delicious fried rice lies in using cold, cooked rice (preferably from the previous day) to prevent it from becoming mushy. Additionally, make sure to stir-fry the ingredients quickly over high heat, use soy sauce for flavor, and add a variety of vegetables and proteins for a well-balanced dish.

Is tuna and rice good for you? ›

A very common 'dieting meal' is the old tuna, brown rice and vegetables. And for good reason. It's high in protein and fibre and low in fat. It's also super quick and easy.

Can you cook canned tuna? ›

Can you cook canned tuna? Canned tuna is actually already cooked before it's canned, so technically, you can eat it straight from the can if you want. However, you can add canned tuna to a dish that you're cooking to add some healthy protein. For instance, you can add canned tuna to a pot of mac and cheese.

What to avoid in canned tuna? ›

Skipjack and canned light tuna, which are relatively low in mercury, can be eaten as part of a healthy diet. However, albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna are high in mercury and should be limited or avoided.

What seasoning is good with tuna? ›

Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads. Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch. Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor.

How do Chinese restaurants make fried rice taste so good? ›

The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.

What is the secret of Chinese fried rice? ›

The secret is all in the prep: use precooked rice for the best results, and leftover char siu pork is the perfect flavour burst. Make the fried rice stir-fry sauce by mixing the soy sauce, shaoxing wine and sugar. Prepare, measure and chop all ingredients before cooking.

Is it safe to eat 1 can of tuna everyday? ›

Fish is a very healthy protein choice and eating canned tuna once or twice a week is safe. Canned tuna is an inexpensive source of protein that can be safely stored on your shelf. Tuna can contain small amounts of mercury but has many health benefits and is safe to eat a few times per week.

Can I eat tuna and rice everyday? ›

Go ahead, dive into your dinner of tuna and brown rice. Just don't repeat that same meal every night. Even though these foods are very nutritious, you can get too much of a good thing.

Why should you not eat canned tuna every day? ›

Certain types of tuna are high in mercury, which can have harmful effects on health in high amounts or in certain populations. For most healthy adults, it's recommended to consume at least 2 servings of fish per week, which can include tuna.

Do you rinse canned tuna before cooking? ›

By rinsing canned tuna, you essentially wash away some of the flavors and textures that come with it. If your tuna is packed in oil, rinsing it could mean saying goodbye to some of that moist, rich taste. And if it's water-packed tuna you're dealing with, a rinse will leave it more bland and flaky.

Can you eat canned tuna straight? ›

If you're a fan of canned tuna, you'll be happy to know it's safe and ready to eat straight out of the can since it is pre-cooked for your convenience. Canned tuna is a wonderful seafood option, considering not everyone has access to fresh fish, not to mention it's super affordable.

How healthy is canned tuna? ›

Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

How do you elevate a tuna sandwich? ›

Add crunchy, tangy, pickle-y things to your tuna salad

Onions and celery are popular (and good) additions that add texture, but they're not the only options. Choosing something that adds crunch but also brings a hit of tangy, pickle-y flavor is my favorite way to punch up a tuna melt.

What can I add to tuna instead of mayo? ›

When you're ready to elevate your next lunch or dinner, here are 12 delicious substitutes for mayo in your tuna salad.
  1. Greek yogurt. Maslova Valentina/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Avocado. Irina Rostokina/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Hummus. Tempura/Getty Images. ...
  4. Olive oil. Maryia_K/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Dijon mustard. ...
  6. Ranch dressing. ...
  7. Sour cream. ...
  8. Cottage cheese.
Jan 24, 2024

What is the healthiest way to eat canned tuna? ›

Healthy tuna recipes
  1. Tangy tuna burgers. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  2. Spinach omelette. A star rating of 2.8 out of 5. ...
  3. Tuna & butterbean salad. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  4. Storecupboard tuna bean salad. ...
  5. Spicy tuna quinoa salad. ...
  6. Tuna Niçoise protein pot. ...
  7. Healthy tuna pasta. ...
  8. Asparagus & tuna salad.

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