Whether you’re grilling, searing, baking or broiling your tuna, this Marinade for Tuna Steak will send it over the top. It’s easy to make, uses only 8 simple ingredients and comes together in just 5 minutes.
Are you a fan of marinating your fish and meat before you cook and eat them? For me, it really depends on a few factors. Like what exactly I’m cooking. Or what kind of mood I’m in. What I feel like having for dinner. Or what flavours I’m trying to achieve. If I am going to marinate something, I, in most cases, believe in the golden rule that the longer, the better and more flavourful that thing will become. Sometimes, like when I’m reverse searing a steak, I skip out on the marinade altogether. And other times, like in this grilled tuna steak recipe, I’m all for it. I believe that marinades give you the power to add an abundance of flavour and since the actual time it takes something to marinate is actually spent hands off (probably sleeping) it’s almost a no brainer to do.
Tuna has got to be one of my all time favourite kinds of fishes. I especially love it fresh and raw (sashimi style). But, if I am going to cook it, I definitely love it in a good marinade or served up with a nice sauce. Something that is both simple and elegant, can be made in a pinch and uses ingredients you can always find in my kitchen.
And that, my friends, is how this simple and delicious Marinade for Tuna Steak was born. The beauty about marinating Tuna Steaks is that unlike their meat counterparts, the longer-the-better golden rule actually does not apply. Instead, Tuna Steaks are best marinated for a short time of 30 minutes to 2 hours on the higher end of things. And when the result is still a flavour explosion like no other, you just know that this is the only Tuna Steak Marinade recipe you will ever need.
Whether youre grilling, searing, baking or broiling your tuna, this Marinade for Tuna Steak will send it over the top. Its easy to make, uses only 8 simple ingredients and comes together in just 5 minutes.
For best results, allow Tuna Steaks to marinate for at least 30 minutes but no more than 2 hours.
When ready to cook your tuna, be sure to brush off the large pieces of green onions and garlic or they will burn during the cooking process.
Marinating tuna for too long poses the risk of it “cooking” in the acidic marinade (such as with ceviche). This changes the texture and flavor of the tuna. If the marinade has acid in it, limit the marinating time to two hours.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT MARINADE FOR TUNA STEAKS (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this 8 ingredient Tuna Steak Marinade in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure all of the ingredients for the marinade are well combined. You can either premix everything in a bowl beforehand or add all of the ingredients directly to the ziploc bag you plan to marinate your tuna in. Either way, ensuring everything is well combined means evenly distributed flavours all the way around.
- Don’t let the tuna sit in the marinade for too long. While I’m normally a firm believer in the golden rule of marinating that the longer something sits in one, the better and more flavourful it will be, that isn’t necessarily the case with tuna. Since it’s such a delicate fish, the acid in the marinade will start breaking it down and ruin the texture of the fish if it sits in it for too long. Anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours will give you the best results.
- When ready to cook your tuna, be sure to brush off the large pieces of green onions and garlic. They will burn during the cooking process if you leave them on.
Yes, unfortunately you can marinate tuna steaks for too long. While most meats live under the golden rule of marinating – that the longer the better and more flavourful – that is simply not the case with tuna steaks. If tuna steaks sit in a marinade for too long, the acidity in that marinade will start to break it down and ruin the texture of the fish. Tuna steaks should marinate anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours for best results.
No, not only is it not necessary to wash Tuna Steaks before cooking or marinating but you shouldn’t. Simply pat them dry with a clean paper towel before mixing them with the marinade ingredients and cooking.
Whether youre grilling, searing, baking or broiling your tuna, this Marinade for Tuna Steak will send it over the top. Its easy to make, uses only 8 simple ingredients and comes together in just 5 minutes.
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 2 Cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 1 Green Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 Lime, juiced
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Sriracha
- 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl. Whisk until well combined. Alternatively, you can add them directly to the ziploc bag you plan to marinate your tuna in.
For best results, allow Tuna Steaks to marinate for at least 30 minutes but no more than 2 hours.
When ready to cook your tuna, be sure to brush off the large pieces of green onions and garlic or they will burn during the cooking process.
This marinade is perfect for my Grilled Tuna Steak Recipe.
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
Why marinate a piece of meat or fish? The first reason is flavor. In this classic poke bowl, for example, the asian flavors of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar derive entirely from the marinade. How long does the ahi tuna for the recipe marinate? Just 15 minutes is all it takes to perfectly infuse the tuna with flavor.
Its possible to have too much of a good thing, and thats particularly true for tuna steaks. What would happen if you extended that marinating time?
Theres nothing more disappointing than having sourced a fantastic fresh ingredient, only to ruin it in the kitchen. Tuna steaks are popular for a number of reasons: Theyre versatile, they work with a broad array of flavors, and theyre quick and easy to prepare. While some meats may benefit from a long marinade of up to 24 hours, tuna steaks require a different approach.
Meat and fish marinades add flavor and theyre also frequently used to tenderize. Acid, often from citrus juice or vinegar, starts to break down your beautiful tuna steak, which is great — to a certain point. If you marinate your tuna steak too long, what happens? The acid in your marinade will cause your lovely translucent fish to turn opaque, which, not coincidentally, is the same color change that occurs when you cook your tuna (via Scientific American).
While a 15 to 20 minute marinade gives you flavor, an acid bath thats too long will actually “cook” your tuna steak, giving you tuna ceviche, per Edible. If you apply heat to tuna thats marinated too long, youre doubling down and your tuna steak will likely be tough and not very appetizing. Whether you plan to sear, grill, or serve your tuna steak raw, limiting the acid contact is vital.
MARINADE FOR TUNA STEAKS | BEST TUNA STEAK MARINADE
FAQ
Can raw tuna marinate overnight?
Can tuna steak be too raw?
Can you marinate steak for 3 days?
Why is my tuna steak tough?
What happens if you marinate tuna too long?
If you apply heat to tuna that’s marinated too long, you’re doubling down and your tuna steak will likely be tough and not very appetizing. Whether you plan to sear, grill, or serve your tuna steak raw, limiting the acid contact is vital. A brief marinade perfectly prepares your fish, while a lengthy marinade will ruin it.
What are the benefits of tinned tuna?
Food is considered a good source of protein and unsaturated fats, such as omega-3, in addition to iron and zinc. Omega-3 is an essential fat for the proper functioning of the body. It helps, for example, to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to control blood sugar. Omega-3 is still a powerful ally in brain cell renewal, that is, it helps in the fight against degenerative diseases and even in memory. The best option is to preserve it in water, as it concentrates a greater amount of nutrients from the fish, such as omega-3 itself, and does not have soy oil added.
Can You marinate tuna steak for too long?
Yes, unfortunately you can marinate tuna steaks for too long. While most meats live under the golden rule of marinating – that the longer the better and more flavourful – that is simply not the case with tuna steaks.
How long does it take to marinate ahi tuna?
In this classic poke bowl, for example, the asian flavors of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar derive entirely from the marinade. How long does the ahi tuna for the recipe marinate? Just 15 minutes is all it takes to perfectly infuse the tuna with flavor.