Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks
4
Product(s) Used
Special Diet
Dairy-Free, Gluten-FreeCourse
Main CourseMain Ingredient
SeafoodOccasion
Quick & Easy, Restaurant Favorites, Authentic Japanese, EntertainingIngredients
Tamari-Ginger Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup San-J Tamari Soy Sauce
- 1/8 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/8 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp dried red pepper flakes
Tuna Steak
- 4 (8-ounce) fresh tuna steaks, about ¾-inch to 1-inch thick*
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup untoasted sesame seeds
Directions
- Prepare the dipping sauce by combining ingredients together in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously to blend. Divide among 4 dipping bowls and set aside.
- Pat the tuna steaks with paper towels until very dry. Using 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil, rub both sides of each steak and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sesame seeds onto a shallow plate or dish. Coat each side of the steaks with the sesame seeds by pressing the fish into the seeds.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Gently add the tuna steaks and sear for about 30 seconds to 1 ½ minutes on each side. See notes as timing will vary based on thickness, preference, and your burner.
- Cut the steaks into 1/4-inch thick slices. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
*Note the thickness of your tuna steaks. If they’re less than 3/4-inch thick, your cook time will be less.
As the steaks cook, notice the color change climbing up the sides of the steaks. When that line is about ¼-inch high, flip the steaks and repeat. Allow the line to rise another ¼-inch before removing from heat.
Depending on your stove, some burners get hotter than others. Use your best judgement and visual clues to determine when your tuna steaks are done to your liking.
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.
Check out more Tamari Soy Sauce main course recipes and our resource on how to properly cook Ahi Tuna!
