Tuna Rice Ball (Onigiri)

Experience the perfect balance of comfort and convenience with these delightful Tuna Rice Balls (Onigiri), a beloved Japanese snack that combines fluffy, seasoned sushi rice with a creamy tuna-mayo filling. Packed with umami, each onigiri is crafted by hand, wrapped in a crisp strip of nori, and shaped into a satisfying triangle or ball. Made with pantry staples like canned tuna, vinegar, and soy sauce, this recipe is quick, easy, and ideal for on-the-go lunches, picnics, or a tasty addition to your bento box. With just 30 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, you’ll have authentic homemade onigiri that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfectly portable and endlessly customizable, these onigiri are sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups short-grain sushi rice
• 2.5 cups water
• 1 can canned tuna
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon sugar
• 2 sheets nori (seaweed sheets)
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 0.25 cup salted water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the sushi rice in a strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed rice and 2.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for about 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed.

Step 3

Once cooked, remove the rice from the heat and let it steam, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 4

In a bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, and sugar until dissolved. Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl and gently fold the vinegar mixture into the rice, ensuring each grain is lightly seasoned.

Step 5

Drain the canned tuna and mix it with mayonnaise and soy sauce in a small bowl.

Step 6

Prepare a small bowl of salted water for wetting your hands to prevent the rice from sticking while forming the balls.

Step 7

Wet your hands in the salted water and take about 1/4 cup of rice in your palm. Flatten it slightly and place a teaspoon of the tuna mixture in the center.

Step 8

Carefully form the rice around the tuna filling, shaping it into a ball or a triangle by gently pressing and molding with your hands.

Step 9

Repeat the process with the remaining rice and tuna mixture.

Step 10

Cut the nori sheets into strips and wrap one strip around each rice ball, leaving some of the rice exposed. The moisture in the rice will help the nori adhere.

Step 11

Serve the tuna rice balls immediately, or store them in an airtight container for up to a few hours until ready to eat.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1297.4 grams (1297.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	905

Total Fat 24.40g	31%
Saturated Fat 2.80g	14%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.40g
Cholesterol 89mg	30%
Sodium 1934mg	84%
Total Carbohydrate 124.40g	45%
Dietary Fiber 1.60g	6%
Total Sugars 2.60g
Protein 42.10g	84%

Vitamin D 79IU	396%
Calcium 120mg	9%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 506mg	11%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.8%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 56.2%