Quick & Easy Tuna
Cucumber Sushi Rolls

Skip the bamboo mat with these beginner-friendly tuna and cucumber sushi rolls. A refreshing, crunchy, and creamy bite folded neatly into seaweed quarters.

Ingredients

• 1 can tuna
• 3 tbsp instant corn kernels
• 1 cucumber
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 2 tbsp salad dressing (mayonnaise or kewpie)
• 1 bowl cooked white rice
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
• 2-3 sheets sushi nori seaweed
• optional lime slices

Instructions

1. 1Shred the cucumber

   

   Place a grater over a clear glass bowl and gently rub the cucumber across the blades to create fine shreds.

   Tip: Keep a firm hold on the cucumber as it gets shorter to protect your fingers.
2. 2Salt the shredded cucumber

   

   Add salt to the freshly shredded cucumber in a glass bowl and mix well. Letting the cucumber sit with salt draws out excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture for the rolls.

   Tip: Make sure to mix the salt thoroughly through the shreds so it draws out water evenly.
3. 3Drain the canned tuna

   

   Pour the canned tuna into a strainer to completely filter out excess oil and juice. Draining the liquid prevents the tuna mixture from becoming overly soggy.

   Tip: Press down gently with a spoon on the tuna in the strainer to get rid of any hidden liquid.
4. 4Season the tuna and corn

   

   Grind fresh black pepper directly into the white bowl containing the drained tuna and instant corn kernels. This adds a subtle warmth and aroma to the filling.

   Tip: Freshly cracked black pepper yields the best flavor profile compared to pre-ground powder.
5. 5Mix the tuna salad filling

   

   Pour salad dressing into the bowl with the tuna and corn, then combine thoroughly using a spoon. The dressing binds the ingredients together into a creamy salad texture.

   Tip: Add the dressing gradually so you can control the creaminess according to your preference.
6. 6Season the rice with sesame oil

   

   Pour fragrant sesame oil directly over a bowl of freshly cooked white rice. This infuses the rice with a rich, nutty aroma characteristic of Asian-style rolls.

   Tip: Use warm rice so it absorbs the sesame oil more effectively.
7. 7Add white sesame seeds to the rice

   

   Sprinkle white sesame seeds evenly over the seasoned rice. Mix everything together to distribute the seeds and oil throughout the rice base.

   Tip: Toasted white sesame seeds give an extra layer of nutty crunch.
8. 8Squeeze the cucumber

   

   Using gloved hands, firmly squeeze the salted shredded cucumber to remove all excess moisture. This prevents the sushi rolls from becoming soggy.

   Tip: Squeeze in small batches to get rid of as much liquid as possible.
9. 9Cut the nori sheets

   

   Take a sheet of sushi nori and cut it into quarters to prepare the individual wrappers for the mini rice rolls.

   Tip: Use sharp kitchen shears for clean cuts without tearing the seaweed.
10. 10Add seasoned rice

    

    Place a quarter-sheet of sushi nori with the matte side facing up, then use a spoon to spread a thin layer of cooked rice onto it.

    Tip: Keep the left and right corners slightly wet with rice grains to help seal the roll easily later.
11. 11Add cucumber filling

    

    Using chopsticks, take a portion of the prepared shredded cucumber and place it on top of the rice layer on the nori sheet.

    Tip: Arrange the filling neatly near the center to ensure a balanced shape when folded.
12. 12Fold into a triangle

    

    Spoon a portion of the mixed tuna and corn salad on top of the cucumber layer, then fold the nori and filling over, pinching it tightly to form a neat triangular shape.

    Tip: Do not overfill the roll to make it easier to pinch and shape securely.
13. 13Garnish and plate

    

    Plate the completed sushi rolls and gently brush a thin layer of sesame oil onto the surface of the seaweed, then finish with a sprinkle of white sesame seeds.

    Tip: Brushing sesame oil adds a glossy finish and a rich aroma to the seaweed.

Storage Tips

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions