These Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks (also known as yellowfin or bigeye tuna) take only SIX MINUTES to cook to medium-rare perfection and are bursting with delicious umami flavor from the soy sauce and toasted sesame honey marinade recipe! And since marinating is optional, you can whip this tuna steak recipe up at a moment’s notice. I like serving these seared tuna steaks with rice and green beans, or simply over a bed of greens with an Asian-style salad dressing.
If I can get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, I’m a happy camper. Under 20? Even better. But under TEN? It’s almost too good to be true! But this one is DEFINITELY true.
So true that we’ve made these Six-Minute Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks twice in the past two weeks and fully plan on doing it again this coming week.
As you may have guessed from the title, this recipe only takes about six minutes, and it’s absolutely mouthwateringly delicious. And healthy. And EASY! What more could you want?
But when I was at the grocery store the other day and saw these gorgeous ahi tuna steaks for $5 (that’s only $2.50 each!), I couldn’t resist.
It’s certainly OK to cook ahi tuna all the way through. The only risk to your meal in overcooking is that tuna that’s too far done can be quite dry (think canned tuna). Instructions for cooking ahi tuna both to medium-rare and medium are below.
How to thaw frozen fish
I bought my ahi tuna steaks frozen, but you may be able to find fresh. If you use frozen, just make sure it’s completely defrosted before cooking.
I usually take mine out of the vacuum sealed plastic and leave it on a plate, covered in plastic wrap, in the fridge for 24 hours before I plan on cooking. Then, I make sure to pat them dry before cooking, as this will create a better sear.
Is it safe to eat raw ahi tuna?
If you’re nervous about eating raw fish, you should use your best judgement. You can always choose to cook these ahi tuna steaks all the way through to be well-done. 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.
If you’re looking for amazing flavor and texture, I personally think it’s worth the risk and I welcome you to jump on this bandwagon (unless you’re pregnant or have another medical reason not to consume raw fish – you should consult a physician if you’re concerned!). Fully cooked tuna can be a bit dry (like its canned counterpart), but when the outside is a crispy, salty, savory layer and the inside is a supple, soft, tender layer, it enhances the taste so much and the texture is amazing.
Plus, many of the bacteria that makes raw foods more risky to eat is usually found on the surface of the foods. If you sear the outside, as in this recipe, you’re killing off the bacteria that may make you sick. Same goes for a good seared steak.
Tuna, along with salmon, are fish that are least likely to have parasites, which is one of the reasons why you often see them served undercooked. If you buy sushi grade ahi tuna, it will have been frozen at a temperature which kills any potential parasites, so I recommend going this route just to be safe.
How to Cook Ahi Tuna Steaks | Seared Tuna Steaks | Get Cookin’ | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
Is it OK to cook ahi tuna well done?
Can you cook tuna steaks all the way through?
Can you eat ahi tuna fully cooked?
How do you know when ahi tuna is done?
How do you cook ahi tuna?
Immerse in marinade and let sit for several hours. Place Ahi Tuna in super-hot, oiled skillet and sear for 1 1/2 minutes on first side. Flip carefully and sear another 1 1/2 minutes on second side. Remove tuna from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Seared ahi tuna can be served warm, room temperature, or cold.
How much tuna should one consume per week for health?
The answer to this question depends on many individual factors such as your weight, age, physical activity factor, and how your diet is in general, since tuna is rich in proteins and fats, and an excess of it can also cause damage to health.
Can ahi tuna be cooked longer?
You could technically cook the ahi tuna longer, but fully cooked ahi tuna tends to become tough and dry. Instead, take a look at this Mizo Glazed Salmon or this Easy Barramundi Recipe for cooked alternatives. Toppings: We love Seared Ahi Tuna served with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, fresh chopped cilantro, and sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
How to cook ahi tuna steak?
Cooking ahi tuna steaks in a skillet is the preferred method because it will sear the steaks just enough to leave them raw in the center but create a crispy crust on the outside. Sear the steaks in a pan with butter, olive oil, and peppercorns for about 30 seconds to 1 ½ minutes on each side, depending on your desired level of doneness.