Nori wraps are a simplified version of the classic Japanese tuna hand roll, except ready in minutes and made with canned tuna, cucumber, alfalfa and avocado. Low calorie, low carb paleo tuna salad. Have lunch on the table in minutes. Gluten Free + Dairy Free. My current all time favorite high protein lunch!
All I want is fish and seafood always.
I want sushi rolls (more specifically soft shell crab sushi rolls), I want sashimi, I want salmon and most of all I want tuna (like my tuna tartar). And because I can’t just hop out for sushi daily I needed to come up with a perfect substitute.
These nori wraps are inspired by the classic tuna hand roll at a Japanese restaurant and I’m currently obsessed with them. I can seriously eat these every day for lunch.
Unlike the traditional hand roll these nori wraps are made with canned tuna instead. You can’t always get your hands on fresh sushi grade tuna. But don’t let than stop you from making nori wraps. This simplified version is ready in minutes, no cook, and requiring a few ingredients. And if you’re feeling iffy about raw tuna to begin with, no issues with that here.
The key ingredient in these nori wraps is of course the seaweed sheets – which you can now probably find in the Asian aisle of a regular grocery store. I love love love the taste of these. Earth, lightly crunchy, there’s just a specific taste to them that I can’t quite describe. And they’re healthy too. As well as being low calorie and low carb. A win win for a wrap right?
And they’re paleo too – did I mention that already? I’ve been on a paleo diet kick recently so needed to come up with a lunch time paleo tuna salad meal and this ticks that box.
How to make my Nori Wraps with Paleo Tuna Salad:
The main ingredients in this recipe are canned tuna, mayo, lettuce, cucumbers, alfalfa, avocado, sesame seeds and nori seaweed sheet.
In a bowl mix the tuna with mayonnaise, salt & pepper. My all time favorite paleo mayo is the Primal Kitchen one. I love that it is made with avocado oil – time to remove products packed with canola oil from our shelves!
To give this more of a kick feel free to add some Sriracha (and yes there’s an amazing paleo Sriracha out there that I love). Thinly slice that avocado and cucumber and break off a bit of alfalfa sprouts.
Then the trick is the neatly layer the ingredients on the seaweed sheet, and start rolling it tightly away from you.
That’s the tricky part. It will take a few tries to get these rolled up nicely. I don’t know how the restaurants get theirs rolled up perfectly every time but I could certainly use some lessons. Even if you can’t get the shape perfect, no worries, as long as you roll it up some way it’s ready for eating.
Dip these nori wraps into coconut aminos and Paleo sriracha for the perfect finishing touch.
These nori wraps packed with a paleo tuna salad are the perfect light lunch that is low carb, low calorie, high protein and bursting with flavor.
Think of these as a cheaper home made version of the Japanese hand roll. Just as good made at home though.
Nori Wraps Alternatives:
- in place of tuna use canned salmon or even canned chicken
- to add more veggies and color feel free to add carrots, or radish cut into matchsticks
- In place of butter lettuce and alfalfa add your favorite greens – spinach, arugula etc
- To give these more of an Asian flair mix some sesame oil and chili garlic sauce into the tuna mayo mix
- If you are not on a paleo diet feel free to use regular mayo, Sriracha and tamari or soy sauce in place of the paleo friendly alternatives
Nori Wraps Tips:
- prep the ingredients before you get started
- eat immediately for to get that perfect crunch out of the seaweed, otherwise these can be refrigerated for later
- add more or less mayo until tuna is of the desired consistency
- squeeze a bit of lemon juice on the avocado to keep it from browning
These nori wraps are a simplified version of the classic Japanese tuna hand roll, except it's ready within minutes and made with canned tuna, cucumber and avocado. Have lunch on the table in minutes.
- 1 can of tuna in water drained
- 1.5 tablespoons paleo mayonnaise
- 1/2 avocado thinly sliced
- 2 small English cucumber cut into matchsticks
- 4 Butter lettuce leaves
- 2 tbsp alfalfa sprouts
- 2 seaweed sheets
- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos for dipping
- 1 tbsp paleo Sriracha for dipping
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In a bowl mix tuna with mayonnaise, salt and pepper to taste.
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Place nori wrap in front of you, and in a straight line start layering lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, sesame seeds and tuna mixture.
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Roll the seaweed sheet, away from you, around the tuna mixture. Repeat with second nori wrap.
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Serve with coconut aminos and paleo Sriracha
If you are not following a paleo diet you can use regular mayo, regular Sriracha and tamari or soy sauce instead of coconut aminos
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Caroline says
What a clever recipie! I’m such a sushi nerd Id love to make this
Vicky says
Thanks! I absolutely love sushi and wish I could eat it all day every day : )
Rocio Chavez says
They look so yummy, easy and light. I totally need to add these to my menu 😀
Vicky says
Thanks! These are literally ready in minutes : )
Kimberly Bonham says
yummm these look so good!
Vicky says
Thanks so much!
Melissa says
This looks so yummy. I would eat sushi in any form every day if I could. This might make it a reality
Vicky says
I feel the same exact way about sushi!
Christine | Vermilion Roots says
VIcky, I love how simple this recipe is. I have all the ingredients too so I am going to make this for lunch tomorrow. Looking forward to it! 🙂
Vicky says
Yay! Hope you enjoyed it!
Allison Jones says
These hand rolls look incredible. I’ve been looking for good, healthy lunch recipes and this is perfect. Thanks for sharing.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Vicky says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy them!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Wow these look super healthy. I’ve never used the seaweed wraps but need to get those next time I’m shopping!
Vicky says
You can usually find them in the International/Asian aisle. Seaweed is super healthy and really light so doesn’t dilute the flavors in the wraps and allows you to enjoy more of the yummy toppings : )