Whole30 Poke Bowl

A Whole30 Poke Bowl is an easy weeknight meal that is packed full of flavor. These bowls are gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30 compliant, but they can easily be customized to meet even the pickiest eater’s palate. 

When I go home to Georgia, I always like to take my grandfather out to eat. We are both adventurous eaters, so I look for unique and authentic places. My papa is always standing in the driveway waiting on me for our lunch dates days. 

Luckily, Atlanta has unlimited options. We’ve had the best gyros at a Romanian grocery store, whole fish and rice from a small West African restaurant, and lots of tacos and pho. Korean BBQ was one of our favorite experiences. We asked the waiter if the sampler plate {variety of chicken, steak, and pork} was enough for the four of us. He said it was enough to feed 5 adults. My papa and Huck can eat a lot, so we figured that would be perfect. 

The waiter came out with a tray of meat that could have easily feed 5 families! It was so delicious, but I definitely had the meat sweats after that meal. And when we all finished eating the giant tray of meat, they brought out a giant bowl of soup to finish the meal! 

On my last few trips home, my grandparents have not felt up for going out to eat, or it wasn’t a good idea for them to be out because 2020, so I’ve had to bring food to them. 

Last year, I found a Poke Bar in Lawrenceville for our lunch date. Both my grandparents and my mom loved it, and we've been back 3 times since then. 

Today’s recipe is inspired by the poke bowls I’ve enjoyed with my papa Mathis. 

How do you say Poke 

I’ve only recently been exposed to poke. The first time I saw it on a menu, I wondered if it was pronounced Poke {I’m going to poke you} or po-kee {like hokey pokey}? I hate saying words wrong, so I asked before I attempted to pronounce it myself. 

It is pronounced Po-Kay like okay.

What is Poke 

Poke is a Hawaiian dish. I’ve never had Poke in Hawaii, but at most the restaurants I’ve tried, you can find a variety of raw fish that is served plain or seasoned/marinated. A poke bowl is raw fish served over rice or salad and topped with veggies, fruits, and sauce. 

How to buy raw fish for Poke 

To start, you need good quality or sushi-grade fish. When eating raw fish, you do not want to use just any fish at the fish counter. Ask the fishmonger if they have sushi-grade fish or what they would recommend. Unless you can catch fresh fish yourself or purchase it right off a boat, most sushi-grade fish in the store will be frozen. Fish that are to be consumed raw is usually frozen directly on the ship when caught.  

For myself, the only fish I’ve found locally for sushi or Poke is a sushi-grade frozen fish at my local Whole Foods. If you can not find fish that is safe to consume raw or worried about eating raw fish at home, you can use cooked fish too.  

Other tips for buying and using raw fish at home: 

• Make sure the fish does not have a fishy smell.
• Thaw in the refrigerator and keep the fish cold.  
• Eat the Poke the same day you make it. 
• Leftovers could be stored in the refrigerator overnight. I personally recommend eating it the same day. 

How to Make Paleo or Whole30 Poke

Once you have chosen a good quality fish, it’s time to make Poke! Start by dicing the fish into bite-size pieces. For this Whole30 Poke, I used coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. You can use the soy sauce, but you’ll need to reduce the amount of salt added to the dish. Taste the sauce before adding salt and adjust to your preference.

Other ingredients to include: 

• Sesame Seed Oil  
• Fresh Ginger
• Garlic
• Citrus Juice
• White or Black Toasted Sesame Seeds
• Green Onions

In a bowl, combine the ingredients listed above. Cover and store in the refrigerator while prepping the remaining ingredients for the Poke Bowl. 

How to Make a Whole30 Poke Bowl

Most poke bowls consist of a base, fish, and toppings. You can use any combination of base or toppings depending on your preference or diet. To make this a Whole30 or Paleo Poke Bowl, omit the rice or noodles and avoid sauce with soy or sugar. 

Poke Bowl Base Options:

• Salad
• Zoodles - Spiralized zucchini or yellow squash 
• Cauliflower Rice
• Rice or Noodles if not Whole30

Poke Bowl Toppings: 

• Sliced Cucumbers
• Shredded Carrots
• Thinly Sliced Onion
• Cabbage
• Radish
• Peppers
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Avocado
• Seaweed Salad
• Edamame if not Whole30

Poke Bowl Sauce: 

• Spicy Mayo - See recipe below
• Wasabi Mayo - See recipe below
• Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
• Coconut Aminos
• Ponzu Sauce if not Whole30

How to Make a Poke Bar

Poke makes an excellent meal for a get-together or party. You can prep the bases, toppings, and sauces beforehand and set everything out for your guest or family to make their own bowls. This allows everyone to customize their bowl the way they would like it. The Poke can be made a few hours before dinner, but I recommend leaving it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve dinner. 

Other ways to eat Poke

Poke can be served as a starter with chips like plantain or wonton. Chop the fish into smaller pieces for a filling for sushi rolls at home.

Other Recipes to Try

If you like this recipe, try our Mediterranean Grilled Salmon with the Greek Salad.

Like this recipe? Don't forget to Pin it! Also, check out our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube Channel for cooking demos and more. Plus you can also see what I am pinning on Pinterest for more Whole30 and Paleo recipe ideas!

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