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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Seared Ahi Tuna Video
