Watermelon “Tuna” Poke Bowl

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Marinating and baking chunks of watermelon (yes, really!) creates a tender, tuna-like texture fit for poke—traditionally a bowl of diced raw fish with lots of toppers.

watermelon "tuna" poke bowls on a marble countertop.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Chill Time:
4 hrs
Total Time:
5 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup less-sodium soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 1 teaspoon lime zest

  • 3 tablespoons lime juice (from 2 limes)

  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 2 lb watermelon, rind removed and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1/2 cup Japanese-style mayonnaise (such as Kewpie®)

  • 4 cups hot cooked short-grain white rice

  • 2 avocados, sliced

  • 1 English cucumber, sliced

  • 1 cup sliced radishes

  • 1 cup hot cooked shelled edamame

  • 1 carrot, shredded

  • 1 tablespoons black and/or white sesame seeds

  • thinly sliced green onions, for garnish

Directions

  1. For marinade, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, oil, lime zest, lime juice, ginger, and honey in a large bowl. Add watermelon; toss to coat. Chill, covered, at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 10x15-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

  3. Transfer watermelon from marinade to prepared pan with a slotted spoon, allowing marinade to drip off. Chill remaining marinade, covered, while watermelon bakes. Bake watermelon until browned, about 1 hour. Let cool slightly.

  4. For dressing, stir 2 tablespoons reserved marinade into mayonnaise in a small bowl. Pour remaining reserved marinade over baked watermelon.

  5.  Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top each serving with watermelon, avocados, cucumber, radishes, edamame, and carrot. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Garnish with green onions.

    Vegan-ize

    Use vegan mayonnaise instead of rich, tangy-sweet Kewpie.

Recipe Tip

Replace melon with 1 lb. sushi-grade tuna, cut into 1-inch pieces, and omit the baking step for a traditional poke with raw fish.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

913 Calories
59g Fat
89g Carbs
14g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 913
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 59g 76%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 1373mg 60%
Total Carbohydrate 89g 32%
Dietary Fiber 15g 53%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 46mg 231%
Calcium 120mg 9%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 1464mg 31%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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