Looking for a quick and delicious seafood dish? This seared ahi tuna recipe is the perfect solution! In just 7 minutes, you can enjoy restaurant-quality ahi tuna steaks at home. Perfectly seasoned and lightly seared, it’s a simple yet elegant meal that will impress.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 2 mins
Total Time: 7 mins
Servings: 2
How to Choose the Best Ahi Tuna
When buying ahi tuna, you’ll come across two main types: bigeye tuna and yellowfin tuna. Bigeye is known for its rich, buttery flavor, while yellowfin has a milder taste. Both are great choices for this recipe. Always opt for sashimi-grade or sushi-grade tuna, especially if you plan on eating it rare or raw. This ensures it’s safe to consume.
How to Make Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks
Making ahi tuna steaks is incredibly simple. Ahi tuna is best enjoyed rare or medium-rare, so you only need to sear it for about a minute on each side. This recipe adds a flavorful touch by seasoning the tuna with salt, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and searing it in a pan with butter, olive oil, and whole peppercorns.
You can also customize the flavor with a sauce, like teriyaki or soy sauce.
Best Cooking Methods for Ahi Tuna
There are multiple ways to cook ahi tuna:
- Skillet: This method gives you the perfect sear. Heat a pan with butter, olive oil, and peppercorns, then sear each side of the tuna for 30 seconds to 1½ minutes for a crispy outside and a raw center.
- Grill: Preheat the grill on high, season the tuna, and grill each side for about 2 minutes. The result will be a charred exterior with a rare center.
- Oven: For a more cooked tuna, bake at 450°F for 8-10 minutes. Flip halfway if desired, though it’s not required.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 380°F and air fry the seasoned tuna for about 4 minutes.
Freezing Ahi Tuna Steaks
You can freeze ahi tuna, both raw and cooked.
- For raw ahi tuna, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place in a zip-top bag. Store for up to 3 months. Avoid refreezing once thawed.
- For cooked ahi tuna, freeze leftovers in an airtight container or aluminum foil for up to 2-3 months.
Ingredients:
- 2 (5-ounce) ahi tuna steaks
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp whole peppercorns
Directions:
Step 1:
Season both sides of the ahi tuna steaks with kosher salt and cayenne pepper (optional).
Step 2:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, olive oil, and whole peppercorns to the pan.
Step 3:
Once the pan is hot, sear the tuna steaks for 30 seconds to 1½ minutes on each side, depending on your preferred doneness.
Step 4:
Remove from heat and let the steaks rest for a minute. Slice and serve with your favorite dipping sauce like soy or teriyaki sauce.
Tip: For the best results, use sushi-grade tuna if you prefer it rare or medium-rare.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 301
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 71mg
- Sodium: 1034mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Protein: 33g
Conclusion
This quick and easy seared ahi tuna steak recipe is a must-try for seafood lovers. Whether you’re cooking it rare or well-done, you’ll love the crispy seared exterior and the flavorful, tender interior.