This Keto Spicy Tuna Salad recipe is a low carb recipe that is no roll, no rice, no fuss, but still a delicious take on keto sushi. This method gives you the taste you crave without the work of rolling up the sushi!

What Makes This Spicy Tuna Salad So Great
- Low carb. This Keto Sushi recipe takes out most of the carbs in sushi without compromising on the flavor. Get all the delicious flavor of a traditional spicy tuna roll while still abiding by a keto lifestyle.
- Quick and easy. You can make this entire healthy sushi dish in less than 30 minutes. Simply dice the sushi, chop up the veggies, mix the sauce, and throw it all together for a simple dish you won't soon forget.
- Crowd pleaser. This Low Carb Sushi makes the perfect appetizer for a dinner party. It tastes just like sushi without the rice, so you can really taste the flavor of the tuna, cucumbers, and avocado. The tuna did cost me about $25 a pound, so make sure you invite people you really like.
Can You Eat Sushi On A Keto Diet?
It can be a challenge to find sushi that is keto or low-carb because most restaurants use rice in their sushi rolls. You can ask for a keto version, but you may end up with just fish. And that certainly isn't going to be satisfying.
This Keto Sushi is my version of low-carb sushi. It's high in fat from the avocado and mayonnaise and skips the rice to keep it keto. If you really want a spicy tuna roll rather than a spicy tuna salad, add cauliflower rice and roll with Nori. I like to keep my recipes quick and easy, so I did not test this recipe with any rice.
How Many Carbs Are In Low Carb Sushi Without Rice?
This Keto Tuna Salad has only 8 carbs per serving, making it a great way to enjoy sushi on keto. One serving has about 400 calories, but there is so much protein and good fat in this low carb recipe. There is good fat from the avocado, and also fat from the mayonnaise, so it is very satisfying.
Is Seaweed Allowed On Keto?
Seaweed is significantly low in carbs, making it a great option for those of us living a keto lifestyle. A single sheet of seaweed has an astonishingly low 0.2 grams of carbs, with zero net carbs!
The choice of whether you decide to roll this dish up like sushi is totally up to you. Nori is a Japanese seaweed that has a strong flavor. If you would order regular sushi, your tuna roll would come wrapped in Nori so you may already be familiar with the flavor of it.
Since I did not use rice in order to keep this Keto Sushi a low carb recipe, I simply rolled my sheet of Nori, chopped it into a chiffonade and used it as a garnish to bring home the sushi elements.
Nori is becoming more easily found. You can find it at Wal-Mart or try an Asian Food Market. If all else fails you can also pick some up on Amazon.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1 pound Sushi-Grade Tuna- The star ingredient and protein base of the salad, providing rich, meaty texture and clean, ocean-fresh flavor. Using sushi-grade tuna ensures both safety and the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality needed for raw preparations.
- 2 cups Cucumbers- Add a cool, crisp crunch that balances the richness of the tuna and avocado. They also bring a refreshing contrast to the spicy dressing.
- 1 large Avocado- Provides creamy texture and mild flavor that helps mellow the heat from the sriracha while adding healthy fats for richness.
- ¼ cup Red Onion- Adds sharpness and a touch of sweetness, giving the salad brightness and depth while cutting through the creamy dressing.
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise- Acts as the base of the dressing, lending creaminess and a smooth texture that coats the ingredients evenly and balances the spice.
- 3 tablespoons Lemon Juice- Adds acidity and brightness that lift the flavors, preventing the salad from tasting too heavy. It also helps preserve the vibrant color of the tuna and avocado.
- 2-3 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce- Provides the signature kick of heat and tangy spice that defines this dish. The amount can be adjusted based on your spice preference.
- ½ to 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances all the other flavors and balances the creaminess of the dressing. Start with less and adjust to taste.
- 1 sheet Nori- Adds subtle umami and a hint of ocean flavor, mimicking the taste of sushi rolls and enhancing presentation.
- 1 teaspoon Black Sesame Seeds- Contribute nutty flavor and visual contrast, giving the salad a gourmet, sushi-inspired finish.
- 1 teaspoon White Sesame Seeds- Add a light, toasty crunch and balance the black sesame seeds, completing the dish with texture and visual appeal.
How To Make Spicy Tuna Salad
1. Buy a sushi-grade quality raw tuna and dice. Add to a large mixing bowl.

2. Add chopped cucumbers, avocado, and red onion.

3. Lightly toss together with tuna with a spatula.

4. Use a whisk to mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and sriracha.

5. Pour the dressing/sauce over the top of the tuna and chopped veggies.

6. Optional: Chop nori into a chiffonade and use as a garnish.

7. Add a combination of black and white sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Watch the Video on Making Keto Sushi
Tips and Tricks
Making Spicy Tuna Salad at home is quick, flavorful, and a great way to enjoy sushi-style freshness without the hassle of rolling. To ensure your salad turns out perfectly balanced, fresh, and delicious every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks:
- This is not a make-ahead recipe. You can prep ahead, but the acid from the lemon juice starts to cook the raw tuna, so add the dressing last.
- Same with the avocados, they start to turn brown if added too early, so add the avocados right when it is serving time.
- You can also make this recipe with cooked shrimp.
- You can choose to roll the salad in the Nori or serve it as an appetizer. It's totally up to you.
- If you decide to roll it, chop all ingredients kinda small so they'll roll easily.
- Make sure you eat this within 24 hours of making it.
Variations
A Spicy Tuna Salad is wonderfully versatile, and with just a few tweaks, you can transform it into different meals or flavor profiles to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are some creative variations to try:
- Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl- Serve the spicy tuna salad over a bed of sushi rice or cauliflower rice. Add toppings like edamame, shredded carrots, sliced radishes, or seaweed salad for a colorful, satisfying poke bowl.
- Spicy Tuna Avocado Boats- Scoop out avocado halves slightly and fill them with the spicy tuna mixture. It's a low-carb, high-fat option perfect for keto diets and makes a beautiful presentation.
- Spicy Tuna Lettuce Wraps- Spoon the tuna salad into crisp butter lettuce or romaine leaves for a light, refreshing, and low-carb handheld version.
What To Enjoy With Spicy Tuna Salad
Spicy Tuna Salad is flavorful, creamy, and refreshing, and it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides and accompaniments that balance its heat and richness. Whether you're serving it as a main dish, appetizer, or summer salad, here are some great ideas for what to enjoy with it:
- Edamame- Lightly salted steamed soybeans make a perfect high-protein, low-carb side that pairs naturally with Japanese-inspired dishes.
- Pickled Ginger- Cleanses the palate between bites and enhances the overall flavor experience, much like traditional sushi accompaniments.
- Miso Soup- Warm, savory, and comforting. It's a classic complement that rounds out the meal.
Want more seafood ideas? Check out this list of our best low carb seafood recipes!
How Long Does It Last?
This keto sushi should be enjoyed immediately after eating. The acidity from the lemon juice begins to cook the tuna as soon as the dressing is added to the salad. Additionally, the avocado begins to brown once it is sliced.
So, for the best bite, enjoy this as soon as it is prepared.
More Keto Asian Inspired Recipes
- Pork Belly Cabbage Soup - A delightfully hearty and warming soup that's perfect for a cold day.
- Miso Soup - A delightfully savory soup that is bursting with umami miso flavor.
- Sesame Ginger Broccoli - A low carb side dish made in the Air Fryer that has SO much Asian flavor.
- Instant Pot Filipino Chicken - Enjoy an authentic Filipino dish in just 30 minutes.
- Sesame Ginger Chicken - A delicious, simple and low carb dish you can make in under 30 minutes.

So the next time you get a craving for some sushi, whip up this spicy Tuna Salad instead and enjoy it guilt-free! Let me know if you enjoyed this take on Keto Sushi in the comments!

Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound sushi grade Tuna, diced
- 2 cups cucumbers, diced
- 1 large Avocado, diced
- ¼ cup Red Onion. chopped, diced
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 2-3 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce
- ½ to 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 sheet Nori, sliced into strips, optional
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds, optional
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds, optional
Instructions
- Dice quality sushi-grade raw tuna and place into a large bowl.
- Chop vegetables.
- Mix Mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, and salt.
- Toss everything together and chill.
- Serve immediately.
Watch The Video
Tips and Tricks for Making Spicy Tuna Salad
- This is not a make-ahead recipe. You can prep ahead, but the acid from the lemon juice starts to cook the raw tuna, so add the dressing last.
- Same with the avocados, they start to turn brown if added too early, so add the avocados right when it is serving time.
- You can also make this recipe with cooked shrimp.
- You can choose to roll the salad in the Nori or serve it as an appetizer. It's totally up to you.
- If you decide to roll it, chop all ingredients kinda small so they'll roll easily.
- Make sure you eat this within 24 hours of making it.
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Don't forget to check out my other Keto cookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats, and Easy keto in 30 minutes.




















So simple and so delicious! This knocked my quarantine sushi craving right out of the park!
And a lot more for the money making it at home!
I found sashimi grade salmon at Sam's Club yesterday! You can also order it online and you get 5lbs, individually vacuum sealed in 5oz portions ($70 inc shipping). I bought 6.5lbs at the club and vacuum sealed myself. ($60).
In Hawaii this would be called poke.
Made this recipe with shrimp. It was amazing!
I also love this with shrimp!
You, ma'am are GENIUS! It's even better than sushi, because the flavor is not being diluted by all that rice!