Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks

These seared ahi tuna steaks take only 6 minutes to make- they’re healthy, crispy and seared on the outside, and medium-rare on the inside, and bursting with umami flavor!

Ingredients

For the tuna

• 2 Ahi tuna (yellowfin tuna) steaks (about 4 oz. each, at least 1.5“ thick)
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil see notes
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp olive oil

For serving

• Green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Lime wedges

Directions

1. Pat the ahi tuna steaks dry with a paper towel. Place on a plate or inside a plastic bag.
2. Mix the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, honey, kosher salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, until honey is fully dissolved. Pour over the tuna steaks and turn over to coat completely. Optional: allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator. Also optional: Reserve a spoonful or two of the marinade before coating the fish for drizzling on top after you’ve cooked it.
3. Heat a medium skillet on medium-high to high until very hot. I recommend giving cast iron 3-5 minutes to get hot and nonstick about 1 minute, depending on how thick it is.
4. Add the olive oil to the hot pan. Sear the tuna for 2 minutes on each side for medium rare (1.5 minutes on each side for rare; 3 on each side for medium)
5. Remove to a cutting board and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes. Slice into 1/2 inch slices and serve garnished with green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if desired.

Notes

For thinner tuna steaks, you may need less searing time. If you are using tuna steaks that are less than 1 inch, I recommend only 1 minute per side, depending on your preference for doneness. You may also need less searing time depending on the temperature of your fish- if it’s been sitting out of the fridge for a while, it will take less time to cook.This recipe has been updated from its original. It had a simpler marinade of 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon canola oil, salt, and pepper before. If you’re short on ingredients (like toasted sesame oil and honey) try this simpler version!For a gluten-free version, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce. Or, for a paleo/whole30 compliant option, use liquid aminos instead.Depending on how hot your burners are, you may have to experiment with how long to sear each side. Depending on the stove I’m using, I sometimes only cook it for one minute on each side for medium-rare!You can also grill this over hot coals or high heat on a gas grill for about 1 minute per side.Marinating for a while can cause the fish to taste saltier, as it will have more time to absorb the flavor. If you’re planning on marinating for more than an hour or so, or if you are sensitive to salt or want a lower sodium version, I suggest omitting the kosher salt and/or using low-sodium soy sauce.

Nutrition

Saturated Fat 3gCholesterol 43mgSodium 1632mgPotassium 324mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gProtein 28gCalcium 9mgIron 2mg