Flavorful Spicy Tuna loaded with all the Asian flavors you love. Fresh Bigeye or Ahi Tuna is tossed with Sriracha, chives and sesame oil then topped with sesame seeds and spicy mayo for an added kick of heat.
More sushi recipes to check out: Spicy Krab Roll, Tuna Roll, Avocado Roll, Tuna Crudo, Salmon Crudo, Hawaiian Poke, Temaki Sushi, Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl and Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll.
Spicy Ahi
Ahi tuna recipes makes for a healthy and light appetizer or lunch. Serve diced tuna over sushi rice (sushi rice instant pot) to make it a full hearty meal or crackers for an “easy to eat” party appetizer.
You can also use this spicy tuna salad as the filler when making a Spicy Tuna Roll, Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna or a Spicy Tuna Hand Roll. Recipes for all three will come soon!
Ingredients
Most ingredients are probably already in your pantry, with the exception of a a few. View the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients.
- High-quality Raw Tuna (Ahi Tuna or Bigeye Tuna)
- Sriracha Sauce (or Chili Sauce)
- Toasted Sesame Oil
Ahi Tuna Salad
Make it a spicy tuna bowl by mix and matching any of the below ingredients to really customize the dish. Our spicy cucumber salad or this Spicy Garlic Edamame recipe would pair well with this seafood dish.
- Sliced Avocado
- Cucumbers
- Edamame
- Pickled Ginger
- Pickled Peppers
- Pickled Red Onions
- Mango
- Wonton Strips
- Seaweed Salad
- Shichimi Togarashi
- Microgreens
- Tobiko or Masago
Sushi Sauces
This tuna recipe can stand on its own, no extra sauce needed. However, if you’re looking for an extra layer of flavor, drizzle it with one of these sushi sauces.
- Soy Sauce
- Ponzu Sauce
- Eel Sauce
- Sweet Soy Glaze
- Spicy Mayo
- Masago Sauce
- Boom Boom Sauce
How To Make Spicy Tuna
This recipe will be ready to grub down on in just 10 minutes as there are just 3 short steps: Dice the fish, fold in the sauce and top with sesame seeds and spicy mayo.
Expert Tips
- Place the tuna in the freezer for 10 minutes to make it easier to dice.
- Slice the tuna across the grain using a single swipe of a sharp knife vs a back and forth saw-type motion. Wipe and wet the knife in between cuts to keep the fish from sticking. Each slice should be about 1/8″- 1/4″. Here’s the sushi knife we use when cutting fish.
- Serve immediately after mixing, for best flavor and texture. If serving for a party, prep the fish in one bowl and the marinade in another. Toss right before serving.
- High quality. High quality. High quality. Use fresh ingredients of the highest quality you can swing. (Must be labeled “sushi or sashimi grade tuna”)
- Check out your local Asian market as they tend to have sushi grade ahi tuna. Frozen sushi grade tuna would also work if you can’t find fresh.
- Raw tuna is best consumed the same day as purchased, however, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavor will become more “fishy” the longer you wait.
Raw Fish
If you’re new to buying and handling raw fish, check out our FAQ’s on raw fish.
Raw fish isn’t recommended for pregnant women, the elderly or immunocompromised individuals. We aren’t food safety experts, so consult an expert or your doctor with any questions.
More Popular Seafood Recipes
Tuna Tartare Recipe
Tuna Sashimi
Nigiri
Kani Salad
Baked Crab Legs
Baked Lobster Tail
Steamer Clams with Garlic Butter
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Drink Pairings
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Champagne, Citrus IPA or Sake.
For more pairing tips, check out our Best Wine With Sushi.
Spicy Tuna Recipe

Ingredients
- 8 oz Sashimi Grade Tuna (*Note 1)
- ¼ cup Thinly Sliced Chives (*Note 2)
- 3-4 tbsp Sriracha Sauce (*Note 3)
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- ½ tsp Rice Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- ¼ tsp OPTIONAL: Finely Grated Ginger
SPICY MAYO
- 2 Tbsp Sriracha Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Japanese Mayo (*Note 4)
Instructions
- Pat the tuna dry with a paper towel and dice into 1/4-1/2" cubes.
- In a medium size bowl, add the diced tuna and fold in the chives, Sriracha, sesame oil, and rice vinegar until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Transfer to servings bowls and top with sesame seeds and a drizzle of spicy mayo. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.