Tuna Cashew Pilau (Easy One Pot Tuna Rice)

This easy tuna cashew pilau combines tinned tuna, basmati rice, peas and toasted cashews in one pot. A tasty family dinner ready in 40 minutes.

I can practically guarantee you folks that this tuna cashew pilau will completely satisfy those feelings of hunger.

Not only that because its so easy and quick to make you'll not be tempted to reach for quick fixes whilst it's cooking!

A little cooking spray is all you need to get this tasty tuna rice with peas recipe started.

Those of us who are cost conscious can also heave a sigh of relief.

I'm using tinned tuna, frozen peas, a handful of nuts and basmati rice, which shouldn't break the bank at all!

If you're looking for an easy one pot tuna and rice recipe for a busy evening, this is a great one to try.

For another way to enjoy these store cupboard ingredients, have a look at my tuna rice salad too.

I'm sure you'll love the lightly spiced rice, tuna, peas and toasted cashews which give you 4 servings all in just 40 minutes!

This is definitely a recipe you'll want to add to your list of regular quick healthy dinner recipes!

Jump to:

• Memories of This Tuna Cashew Pilau Rice Recipe
• Why You’ll Love This Tuna Cashew Pilau
• Ingredients
• How To Make Tuna Cashew Pilau
• Top Tips
• Equipment
• FAQ's
• Other Popular Tuna Recipes For You To Try
• 📋 Tuna Cashew Pilau (Easy One Pot Tuna Rice) Recipe
• Nutrition Label
• Rate The Recipe

Memories of This Tuna Cashew Pilau Rice Recipe

Making this tuna cashew pilau rice recipe brought about fond memories for me! Let me explain.......

This was originally put together as a camping meal possibly one of the first one pot decent camping meals my friends and I had in our early teens.

We used to rattle about Scotland in our beat up second hand cars sleeping in tents in temperatures and weather I wouldn't dream of doing so in now!

Before this nutritional excellence we had what we affectionately termed "orange" and "white".

This was basically beans or something in tomato sauce, served with rice or pasta!

Our expectations and indeed our demanding of some decent camping food soon came after the tuna cashew pilau was put together. We based it on tuna pilaf.

We were no longer prepared to accept tinned food as we began to taste some of the very best foods that Scotland had to offer.

Like in Skye where we had fresh salmon cooked in foil in a real fire with a slice a lemon and parsley. Oh so posh! (And amazing!)

So today enjoy this one pot pilau delicious staple. It's not changed much over the years, it's just as delicious as I remember it!

Why You’ll Love This Tuna Cashew Pilau

• Simple and budget-friendly: Using everyday ingredients like tinned tuna, rice and frozen peas, this tuna cashew pilau is a delicious family meal that won't break the bank.
• Packed with flavour: Gentle curry spices, tender rice and crunchy toasted cashews make every mouthful full of flavour.
• Easy to make: With just a little preparation, you can have this tasty family dinner on the table in around 40 minutes.
• Less washing up: Everything cooks in one pan, making this an ideal meal for busy weeknights when you want to keep things simple.
• Easy to adapt: Adjust the curry powder to suit your taste and enjoy this tuna cashew pilau on its own or with a fresh side salad.

Ingredients

• Cashew Nuts - you could also substitute with unsalted peanuts.
• Low Calorie Cooking Spray - if you don't have any, brush a little olive oil on the pan instead.
• Large Onion
• Garlic Paste - you can also use minced / crushed garlic instead.
• Medium Curry Powder
• Ground Turmeric
• Basmati Rice - use uncooked white basmati rice. Other white long-grain rice varieties may need different cooking times or amounts of stock.
• Vegetable Stock/Vegetable Broth
• Lemon Juice - fresh is best but from a bottle is fine.
• Frozen Peas
• Canned Tuna In Springwater - you can use tuna in brine but make sure you thoroughly rinse it because it's packed in salt water.
• Freshly Chopped Coriander - optional garnish
• Cherry Tomatoes - optional garnish

How To Make Tuna Cashew Pilau

Detailed instructions and quantities are in the recipe card below. Here is a quick step by step guide:

1. Dry fry the cashews until golden, then set aside.
2. Soften the sliced onion in a little cooking spray, then stir in the garlic paste and spices.
3. Add the rice, stock, lemon juice and frozen peas. Bring to the boil, then simmer uncovered until the rice is tender, adding a little more liquid if needed.
4. Gently fold in the drained tuna and cashews. Heat gently until the tuna is hot throughout.
5. Season to taste and serve with the optional coriander and cherry tomatoes.

Top Tips

• Watch the cashews: Stir them as they toast and take them off the heat when golden to avoid burning.
• Check the rice: If the stock has been absorbed before the rice is tender, add a little hot stock or water at a time.
• Keep the tuna in flakes: Fold it in gently rather than stirring vigorously.

If you enjoy easy spiced rice dishes, try my spicy rice with peas as a side for another meal.

Equipment

For This Tuna Cashew Pilau You May Need….

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This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

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This is the set of pans I recommend for cooking with.

The set includes 16, 18, 20 cm saucepans, 1 x 14 cm milk pan and 1 x 24 cm fry pan.

The pans are suitable for all hobs including induction.

They come with a 1-year guarantee which can be extended to a 10-year warranty when you register the product.

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FAQ's

Can I Use Tuna In Oil Instead Of Spring Water?

Yes. I use tuna in spring water, but tuna in oil works too. Just drain it well before adding it to the pilau. This will alter the nutritional information slightly.

Can I Use Brown Rice Instead Of Basmati Rice?

I recommend using uncooked white basmati rice for this recipe. Brown rice takes longer to cook and needs a different amount of liquid, so you can't simply swap it in using the same instructions.

Is This Tuna Cashew Pilau Spicy?

The medium curry powder gives this pilau a gentle curry warmth. If you prefer a milder dish, use mild curry powder instead. You can always adjust the amount to suit your own taste too.

Can I Make This Without The Cashew Nuts?

Absolutely. Just leave out the cashews if you prefer. You'll lose their lovely crunch, but there's still plenty of flavour from the spices, tuna and rice.

Why Is My Rice Still Hard?

If the stock has been absorbed but the rice is still firm, add a little more hot stock or water and continue cooking gently. Check regularly and add small amounts as needed until the rice is tender.

What Can I Serve With Tuna Cashew Pilau?

This is a whole meal in a bowl, so you don't need any accompaniments. However, a simple green salad or some steamed broccoli goes well alongside it.

How Long Does Tuna Cashew Pilau Keep?

Cool any leftovers quickly, ideally within one hour, by dividing them into small, shallow containers. Cover and refrigerate promptly, then eat within 24 hours. Don't leave the pilau sitting in the pan to cool.

How To Reheat?

Add a splash of water and reheat in a saucepan, stirring gently, until steaming hot throughout. Alternatively, microwave in a suitable covered container, stirring partway through and checking that the centre is hot too. Only reheat once.

Can I Freeze Tuna Cashew Pilau?

Yes. Divide it into individual portions, cool quickly and get it into the freezer within one hour of cooking. Defrost in the refrigerator, then reheat until steaming hot throughout and eat immediately. The cashews may lose some of their crunch after freezing.

Other Popular Tuna Recipes For You To Try

Nutrition Label

Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

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