Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (2024)

This seared ahi tuna recipe is sashimi grade fish coated in sesame seeds, then briefly cooked to tender and flavorful perfection. Add a drizzle of sauce and some fresh herbs for a light and delicious dinner option.

When I’m in the mood for some fresh seafood, I turn to favorites such as grilled tilapia, seafood pasta, bacon wrapped scallops and this simple yet satisfying seared ahi tuna.

Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (1)

I happen to love fresh fish, especially when seared ahi tuna is on the menu. This dish takes just minutes to prepare, but tastes like it came straight from a fancy restaurant.

Table of Contents

  • Seared Tuna Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Seared Ahi Tuna?
  • Tips For The Perfect Dish
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • What To Serve With Ahi Tuna
  • More Seafood Recipes
  • Seared Ahi Tuna Video
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe

Seared Tuna Ingredients

To make this dish, you will need ahi tuna steaks, black and white sesame seeds, salt, black pepper, vegetable oil, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and green onions or cilantro.

How Do You Make Seared Ahi Tuna?

Start by placing black and white sesame seeds on a plate and mixing the two together. Season your fish with salt and pepper to taste, then place the fish in the sesame seeds and press the seeds onto the outside of the fish to form a crust. Heat oil in a pan or skillet, then quickly sear the fish on both sides. Whisk together a simple sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce and sesame oil. Slice the tuna, then drizzle the sauce over the fish. Top with fresh herbs for added flavor, then serve and enjoy.

Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (2)

Tips For The Perfect Dish

  • The key to this dish is to be very careful not to overcook the fish. Watch the clock carefully, as one minute of cooking time per side is typically sufficient.
  • You can eat seared ahi warm, at room temperature, or chilled. I recommend serving the fish within 8 hours of when it was seared.
  • I typically add a sprinkle of green onions and cilantro over my tuna. Other great toppings include sliced avocado or minced jalapeno.
  • You can also use this technique for other types of fish such as salmon or halibut. If you’re using a different type of fish, you’ll want to cook it all the way through.

Quick Tip

Look for tuna steaks that are similar in size and thickness so that they cook at the same rate.

Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (3)

Recipe FAQs

Is it safe to eat seared ahi tuna?

It is safe to eat seared tuna, so long as you’ve specifically purchased tuna that is meant to be eaten raw or rare. This type of tuna is typically labeled as “sushi grade” or “sashimi grade” tuna. You may need to visit a fish market or an Asian grocery store to procure the appropriate type of ahi.

Do you need sushi grade tuna?

You need to use sushi-grade tuna for this recipe since the fish is just lightly cooked and is rare in the center. Sushi or sashimi grade tuna simply means that the tuna was processed in a way that makes it safe to eat raw. Do not attempt to make this recipe with tuna that is not sushi grade, unless you plan to cook it all the way through.

What does seared ahi taste like?

Seared ahi is a hearty fish with a mild flavor. It is almost meat-like in texture. It is a great starter fish for people who think they don’t like seafood, since the flavor is not strong or fishy.

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Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (4)

What To Serve With Ahi Tuna

There are so many different ways to serve this dish! You can serve your tuna over mixed greens for a light lunch or appetizer. Pair your fish with yakitori skewers and shrimp tempura roll for a Japanese inspired meal. Serve your tuna over sushi rice with a side of Japanese cucumber salad, sauteed kale or grilled asparagus. Or arrange the slices over pan fried noodles for a heartier main course option.

Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (5)

This recipe is my go-to for the days when I want an easy and healthy meal on the table in no time at all. It’s quick enough for a busy week night, yet elegant enough to serve to company!

More Seafood Recipes

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Seared Ahi Tuna Video

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

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Seared Ahi Tuna

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AuthorSara Welch

Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (11)

This seared ahi tuna is sashimi grade fish coated in sesame seeds, then briefly cooked to tender and flavorful perfection. Add a drizzle of sauce and some fresh herbs for a light and delicious dinner option.

Time

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time2 minutes minutes

Total Time12 minutes minutes

Course Main

Cuisine Asian

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ahi tuna steaks
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions, chopped cilantro or a combination of the two

Instructions

  • Place the sesame seeds on a plate and stir to combine.

  • Season the tuna steaks with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Place each tuna steak on the plate of sesame seeds and press the seeds all over the fish.

  • Heat the oil in a large pan over high heat.

  • Add the tuna steaks to the pan. Cook for 30-60 seconds per side.

  • Remove the tuna from the pan. Let rest for 3 minutes then cut into slices.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil.

  • Drizzle the sauce over the sliced tuna. Top with green onions or cilantro, then serve.

Notes

  1. You can eat seared ahi warm, at room temperature, or chilled. I recommend serving the fish within 8 hours of when it was seared.
  2. I typically add a sprinkle of green onions and cilantro over my tuna. Other great toppings include sliced avocado or minced jalapeno.
  3. Look for tuna steaks that are similar in size and thickness so that they cook at the same rate.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 258mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2475IU | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @dinneratthezoo on Instagram and hashtag it #dinneratthezoo

Originally Posted June 14, 2023

CategoriesAsian Food Dinner Low Carb Seafood

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Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (17)
Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a good side dish for seared ahi tuna? ›

Looking for a quick answer? The best side dishes to serve with seared tuna are grilled asparagus, mango salsa, quinoa salad, garlic mashed potatoes, bok choy, cucumber salad, edamame ,sauteed spinach with garlic, risotto, and roasted vegetables.

What is a good seasoning for tuna? ›

Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest, coriander, black pepper, ginger, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl; rub tuna steaks with spice mixture.

How do you know when tuna is cooked enough? ›

If they're not marinated, brush the tuna steaks with melted butter or olive oil, and season as desired. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness of fish or until fish begins to flake when tested with a fork but is still pink in the center.

How many minutes do you sear tuna? ›

Place the tuna steaks in the pan and sear for about 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes on each side.
  1. Timing will vary based on thickness, preference, and your burner.
  2. Estimated sear time on each side based on doneness: 30 seconds for very rare, 1 minute for medium rare, 1 ½ to 2 minutes for medium-well to well.
Aug 6, 2021

What is the best oil to sear tuna in? ›

So get your pan as hot as you can, coat the cooking surfaces of the tuna steaks with a bit of oil with a high smoke point (corn, canola, peanut - not olive oil or walnut oil), then fry the tuna for as little time as you can get away with.

What kind of oil is best to sear tuna? ›

Peanut oil adds great flavor. The goal here is to get a nice golden crust on all sides without cooking the ahi tuna all the way through. HOT PAN is key. Basically, the pan needs to be hot enough to get the crust golden in 60-90 seconds, otherwise you'll likely overcook the inside of the fish.

Should seared tuna be raw in the middle? ›

If you're wondering if tuna steak should be raw in the middle, the short answer is YES. A properly cooked tuna steak should be seared on the outside but raw on the inside.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook ahi tuna? ›

just brush each piece of tuna with egg whites before you add the sesame seeds. add a few tablespoons of oil to a pan over medium heat. let that pan get hot. add the tuna, let it cook for a minute and flip and then cook for 1min more.

Do you use oil when searing tuna? ›

To sear tuna, heat 1-2 tbsp of oil in a pan over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Lightly season the tuna steak with salt and pepper on each side, then carefully place the steak in the hot pan. Sear the tuna on each side for 1-2 minutes, then remove it from the pan and serve.

Should tuna be cold before searing? ›

As noted above, keeping your fish chilled until the last moment is an important safety step, but beyond that, it's also thermally advantageous. Cold tuna presents a greater barrier to heat transfer than does warm tuna, making overcooking less likely. To get a quality sear, you need high heat.

Should you season tuna steaks before cooking? ›

Ahi tuna has a mild flavor, so you'll want to make sure you season it before cooking. This recipe seasons the tuna steaks with salt and cayenne pepper, plus sears them in a pan with butter, olive oil, and whole peppercorns.

Why do you put vinegar in tuna? ›

Experienced chefs will add some vinegar when cooking tuna. The vinegar can make the protein in the fish react to produce amino acids, which can be more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. In addition, adding vinegar when cooking tuna can remove the fishy smell and make the tuna more delicious.

What should ahi tuna look like when cooked? ›

The trick, you'll find, is not to overcook the fish. Even if you generally like your food cooked well done, Ahi Tuna is a food you want to cook as little as possible. As it cooks, it very quickly hardens, so it's good to make sure the center is nice and red (or pink). Make sure your Ahi Tuna is safe to prepare rare.

Is seared tuna cooked all the way? ›

There is always a risk to eating raw or undercooked seafood.

But tuna steaks are usually served seared on the outside and raw on the inside. Look up any seared ahi tuna recipe and you will see that it is almost always cooked this way. If you order it a restaurant, it's bound to be cooked medium-rare as well.

Can ahi tuna be raw in the middle? ›

Ahi tuna, also known as yellow-fin, is moist, supple and best served when lightly seared on the outside, leaving the inside tender and downright raw in the middle. Because the fish should be raw, not rare, you must start with the very best, sushi-grade ahi.

What color should seared tuna be? ›

“There's nothing wrong with a hot chocolate–looking tuna loin,” says Gomes. “But, here in America, we want [it] seared on the outside, rosy pink on the inside.” Gassed tuna is also often imported and less inexpensive than fresh, un-gassed tuna, says Gomes.

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