Spicy Tuna Pickle Poke Cups (Print Version)

Marinated tuna and bold flavors meet pickle crunch in this vibrant appetizer, perfect for sharing and entertaining.

# Components:

→ Tuna Mixture

01 - 7 oz sushi-grade tuna, diced
02 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha
04 - 1 teaspoon gluten-free soy sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
06 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
07 - 1 green onion, finely sliced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Pickle Cups

09 - 12 thick-cut dill pickle slices (about 3/8 inch thick)

→ Garnish

10 - 1/2 small avocado, diced (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
12 - Microgreens or thinly sliced green onion tops

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, and lime juice until smooth.
02 - Gently fold diced tuna, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds into the spicy dressing until evenly coated. Refrigerate mixture for 10 minutes to chill and allow flavors to develop.
03 - Pat dry thick-cut pickle slices with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer on a serving platter.
04 - Spoon chilled spicy tuna mixture evenly onto each pickle slice, shaping a neat mound on each.
05 - Top each portion with diced avocado, a sprinkle of black sesame seeds, and finish with microgreens or green onion tops as desired.
06 - Serve immediately for maximum freshness and optimal texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Youll look like a culinary genius for serving something this creative—and its secretly so easy.
  • Each bite is the perfect balance of cold, creamy, spicy, and crunchy, thanks to a clever swap of pickles for rice.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the pickles, the tuna slides off and youll end up chasing pieces across the counter.
  • Letting the tuna mixture sit for at least ten minutes changed the game—the flavors meld and mellow in the fridge.
03 -
  • Using a truly sharp knife makes a world of difference for neat tuna cubes and tidy pickle slices.
  • A tiny drizzle of extra sesame oil just before serving brings out all those enticing aromas you get at sushi bars.
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