

Quick Tuna Curry Bowls
This recipe came about because of a mistake… Like most good recipes!
I had planned on making an Easy Fish Curry from one of my meal plans with some frozen fish I thought I had in the freezer. But when I looked the freezer was bare…
Luckily my pantry came through with a can of tuna!
I’ve used zucchini but feel free to use different veg – loads of ideas in the variations below.
BTW if you want to make this a real pantry backup recipe just use frozen spinach or peas and skip the coriander.
Ingredients
- 3-6 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 can coconut milk (400mL / 14oz)
- 1 large can tuna (400g / 14oz)
- 4 medium zucchini (800g / 28oz), sliced
- 1 bunch coriander (cilantro), mint or basil
- 50 g (2oz) roasted cashews
Instructions
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Place medium saucepan on a medium high heat. Add a glug of oil and fry curry powder for about 30 seconds.
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Quickly add the coconut milk, tuna (with the juiceand sliced zucchini.
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Cover and simmer until the zucchini is tender and no longer crunchy – about 10 minutes.
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Taste and season with salt or more curry powder as needed.
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Divide between two bowls. Top with herbs and cashews.
Recipe Video
NET CARBS: 19g / serve
WINE MATCH: A dry Riesling.
Quick Tuna Curry Bowls Variations & Substitutions
keto / ultra low carb – skip the cashews and replace zucchini with baby spinach.
vegetarian – chickpeas, feta, paneer, tofu, tempeh or eggs.
no coconut milk – you could use a can of tomatoes or 1.5 cups stock. If you want a creamy curry add some fresh cream.
satay – stir in a few tablespoons peanut butter. Cashew butter is delicious too!
more substantial (carb lovers) – steamed rice or noodles. Or simmer potatoes in the sauce.
more substantial (low carb) – more cashews or different nuts, peanut butter, coconut cream instead of milk, cauliflower ‘rice’.
nut-free – just skip the cashews or replace with extra veg. Sunflower seeds are another option.
family-friendly / no curry powder – use a mild curry powder, garam masala or ground cumin.
different vegetables – broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, sweet potato, eggplant, capsicum (bell peppers) or kale are all good. Just simmer covered until veg are tender.
different protein – fresh fish, chicken thigh fillets or breast fillets, steak, eggs, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, feta.
Waste Avoidance Strategy
curry powder / coconut milk / can tuna / roasted cashews – keep them in the pantry.
zucchini – will keep for 2 weeks or longer in a plastic bag in the fridge. To keep it even longer, cook sliced zucchini in a little butter until just soft then store in an airtight container in the fridge.
green herbs – best to use for another meal. Can be frozen but will wilt when defrosted.
Prepare Ahead
Yes! Just cook as per the recipe but keep the herbs and nuts separately. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks or can be frozen. To serve, bring back to a simmer and top with cashews and herbs.

More Simple Recipes like this Quick Tuna Curry Bowls
- Quick Tuna Ragu
- Beautiful Broccoli with Creamy Tuna Sauce
- Tuna Fried Rice
- Quick Tuna & Pesto Cabbage
- Cheesy Tuna & Spinach Bake
More Simple Low Carb Curry Recipes
- Malaysian Golden Egg Curry
- Curry Stuffed Eggplant with Yoghurt
- One Pot Cauliflower, Chicken & Peanut Curry
- ‘Buy Nothing New’ Curry
- The Best Thai Green Curry Paste Substitutes
- The Best Thai Red Curry Paste Substitutes
- How to make your own curry powder
- Addictive Green Curry of Broccoli Soup
- Massaman Curry
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x
Hi Jules,
This is off the topic (I can’t email you again as your contact form only allows to contact you once and I already did, so thought I would text you here): I know you only count carbs but others count calories and other macros and was wondering if you could add those too. I know how much you are against counting calories, etc but just as you offer options for vegetarians, carb lovers, etc, why not also add calories/other macros?
Many thanks,
Carla
Hi Carla!
I don’t actually use a contact form – I have my email address on the contact page it’s jules@thestonesoup.com
Thanks for the suggestion to include calories. Will have to think about it :)
Jx
Jules this was so amazing. What a simple and delicious recipe. Cannot wait to make it again, might try chicken next time.
Thank you!