Savory Tuna Fried Rice
Quick & Easy Tuna Fried Rice: Perfect for Busy Days!
When you’re short on side dishes or just don’t feel like cooking a big meal, fried rice is the perfect solution! This recipe uses up leftover rice and any stray vegetables in your fridge, jazzed up with the deliciousness of canned tuna. It’s a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Main Ingredients
- 2 bowls cooked rice (warm, reheat if using leftover cold rice)
- 1 can (100g) canned tuna, drained
- 1 small onion
- 1/3 stalk green onion
- 2 Korean green chilies (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/3 zucchini
- 2 fried eggs (optional, for topping)
- 2 Tbsp butter (can substitute with cooking oil or olive oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables based on what you have in your fridge! Carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, or even crumbled seaweed can be great additions. Feel free to adjust the seasonings like soy sauce and gochujang to match your personal taste and spice level.
Step 2
Drain the canned tuna thoroughly using a sieve. Press down with the back of a spoon to remove as much oil as possible. This step ensures your fried rice isn’t greasy and has a cleaner flavor.
Step 3
Wash and finely chop the onion, zucchini, green onion, and Korean green chilies. Chopping them small will help them integrate nicely with the rice and other ingredients.
Step 4
Heat a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely. The rich flavor of butter adds a wonderful depth to the fried rice. If you don’t have butter, feel free to use cooking oil or olive oil instead.
Step 5
Once the butter is melted, add the chopped green onions and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Sautéing the green onions first releases their aromatic oils, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 6
Add the chopped onion and zucchini to the pan. Continue to stir-fry until the vegetables begin to soften.
Step 7
When the vegetables are partially cooked, add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 8
Pour the soy sauce around the edges of the pan and stir-fry, allowing it to caramelize slightly and coat the ingredients.
Step 9
Add the drained tuna to the pan and quickly mix it with the vegetables.
Step 10
Next, add the gochujang and stir-fry everything together for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring the chili paste is well combined. Be careful not to burn the gochujang.
Step 11
Add the warm rice to the pan. Use a spatula to break up any clumps and stir-fry, mixing the rice thoroughly with the vegetables and tuna. Frying until each grain of rice is coated with the sauce is key for great flavor.
Step 12
Finally, drizzle in the sesame oil and turn off the heat. Taste the fried rice and add a pinch of salt if needed to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 13
Serve the delicious tuna fried rice onto a plate. Top with a perfectly fried egg and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds or crumbled seaweed for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your homemade tuna fried rice!
