Tuna Fried Rice Quick and Easy Recipe with Canned Tuna
Is there anything better than fried rice? I think not! It’s comfort food that can be tailored to your preferences and can be customized to what you want. If you like this recipe, try my Pork Belly Fried Rice, next.
The best part is you don’t need to order takeout to enjoy fried rice, it’s easy to make on your own. This delicious meal uses white rice, a can of tuna, frozen veggies and some of my favorite pantry staples for the sauce.
But the real fried rice secret…kimchi! This is optional, but I highly recommend adding it. It adds incredible flavor and zing to the rice and takes it the extra mile. Oh, and if you know what’s good for you, add the optional fried egg on top of the rice, you will NOT be sorry.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Tuna Fried Rice:
- Filled with protein and healthy fats.
- Quick and easy recipe.
- Incredible savory flavor.
- Makes a ton of leftovers.
- So versatile – easily change for your favorites!
- Budget friendly ingredients.
- One pan meal for easy clean up.
🍲 Ingredients
Cooked Rice
Canned Tuna in Water
Kimchi: optional but highly recommend
Frozen Peas
Frozen Carrots
Garlic
Green Onions
Soy Sauce, Tamari or Coconut Aminos
Sesame Oil
Spices: salt and black pepper
👩🍳 How to Make Tuna Fried Rice
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and let it heat up.
- Add the peas, carrots, garlic and kimchi (if using) to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through.
- Add the drained tuna to the skillet and break it up with a spatula.
- Add the cold, cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir-fry the rice and other ingredients together.
- Pour the soy sauce over the rice and stir to combine. Adjust the amount of soy sauce to your taste.
- Add the chopped green onions to the skillet and stir to incorporate them into the fried rice.
- Season the tuna fried rice with salt and pepper as needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
- Once everything is well mixed and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat and serve the tuna fried rice in bowls or on plates. You can sprinkle sesame seeds or add a fried egg on top for extra flavor.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Use cold day-old or leftover rice! Fresh rice is sticky, moist and makes clumpy and soggy fried rice. Day old rice has less moisture which allows the rice to get nice and crispy. Make your rice the day before and leave it in the fridge, uncovered overnight.
- Add 1 tablespoon of gochujang or drizzle with chili oil for added heat!
🗒 Substitutions
- Use any of your favorite veggies: green beans, red bell pepper, green peas, zucchini and cabbage are some of my favs.
- Use brown rice in place of white rice.
🗒 Best served with
- Sesame Seeds
- Fried Egg – HIGHLY recommend
- Sriracha or Chili Sauce: for some heat
- Sliced Cucumbers
- Avocado
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up the three days.
🤔 Common Questions
Totally dairy-free as written. To make gluten-free, be sure to use coconut aminos and not soy sauce.
I love using long grain jasmine rice for fried rice. Jasmine rice is slightly dryer than other rice varieties and doesn’t get too sticky after it’s cooked. Any long grain rice is ideal because shorter grains have a tendency to get sticky after cooking due to the higher starch content. You can also use day-old long-grain brown rice, if preferred. Invest in a rice cooker to make perfect rice, every time!
Absolutely! I like to switch it up with tuna but you can add shrimp, beef, shrimp or pork.
Tuna Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice preferably cold and day-old rice
- 1 (5 oz.) can of tuna in water drained
- 1/2 cup kimchi chopped, optional but reccomended
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup frozen carrots
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 green onions chopped
- 2-3 Tbsp. soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos
- 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings and Seasonings
- sesame seeds
- fried egg
- sriracha or chili sauce
- sliced cucumbers
- avocado
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and let it heat up.
- Add the peas, carrots, garlic and kimchi (if using) to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through.
- Add the drained tuna to the skillet and break it up with a spatula.
- Add the cold, cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir-fry the rice and other ingredients together.
- Pour the soy sauce over the rice and stir to combine. Adjust the amount of soy sauce to your taste.
- Add the chopped green onions to the skillet and stir to incorporate them into the fried rice.
- Season the tuna fried rice with salt and pepper as needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
- Once everything is well mixed and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat and serve the tuna fried rice in bowls or on plates. You can sprinkle sesame seeds or add a fried egg on top for extra flavor.
I made this for my toddler recently, and the simplicity of preparation coupled with my little one’s enthusiastic response made it a standout meal. This recipe is an absolute winner in our household—an easy, flavorful, and kid-approved mealtime winner!
This makes me so happy to hear, Linda!! So glad your little one enjoyed!