Best Ahi Tuna Recipes

SEARED AHI TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• Season the tuna steaks with salt and cayenne pepper.
• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the peppercorns in the mixture until they soften and pop, about 5 minutes. Gently place the seasoned tuna in the skillet and cook to desired doneness, 1 1/2 minutes per side for rare.

SEARED AHI TUNA AND SALAD OF MIXED GREENS WITH WASABI VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Coat your steak with a combination of five-spice powder and grill seasoning or salt and pepper. Heat a grill pan or griddle over high heat. Spray grill surface or wipe with a thin layer of oil. Add tuna steak to the hot cooking surface and sear tuna 2 minutes on each side. Remove tuna from heat.
• Combine greens, radishes and cucumber in a bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk wasabi, vinegar and soy sauce. Whisk in oil to combine dressing. Drizzle dressing over your salad and toss to coat evenly. Slice tuna on an angle and arrange on the salad.

SUPER EASY SEARED AHI TUNA

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut the tuna into 4 large pieces for appetizer portion, 2 large pieces for dinner portion. Use your judgment on what shape you want to cut your tuna because not all tuna is the same size or shape. However, the shape should somewhat resemble a miniature brick.
• Season the tuna pieces with salt and pepper. Coat lightly on all sides with bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over high heat. The pan should be as hot as you can get it. Place the tuna in the pan, and sear on each side for about 45 seconds for small portions, or 1 minute for large. Remove from pan. The tuna will be very rare.
• Slice each 'brick' into 1/4 inch thick slices, and fan out on a serving plate. Enjoy plain, or with the condiments of your choice.

WASABI SESAME CRUSTED SEARED AHI TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• For the fish: Blend the wasabi seeds, cracked black pepper and Hawaiian sea salt in a medium bowl. Place the ahi steaks in the bowl, and carefully roll and flip the steaks to ensure they are completely coated. Remove the steaks to a plate and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• For the vinaigrette: Mix together the honey, vinegar, pepper and mustard in a small bowl, then stream in the oil, whisking constantly.
• For the salad: Slice, dice, chop and mix the spring mix, capers, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, cucumber, romaine and onion, to your liking, then toss with some vinaigrette and plate four salads. Place one lemon wedge on the side of each plate and quarter the avocados. Slice each quartered avocado 3 to 6 times, creating an avocado fan out of each quarter. Set aside.
• Before heating your grill, you will need to scrape, clean and then oil it. Once clean, preheat to medium-high and close until ripping hot, about 10 minutes. Fold a clean dish towel into a squarish 4-by-6-inch block. Pour 2 cups vegetable oil into a bowl and dip one side of your dish towel block in the oil.
• Open the grill and begin coating grill grates with the oiled towel block. Repeat until grill grates are slick and clean. Pour the sesame oil on a small plate. Place each steak in the sesame oil on both sides, then on the grill.
• Cook for 1 minute on each side. Then pull immediately from grill, slice 1/8- to 1/4-inch-thick with a heavy sharp blade and place directly on your plated salads. Top each salad with an avocado fan. Lastly, pair your dish with a nice Chardonnay or a local IPA. Cheers and enjoy!

AHI TUNA

Steps:

• Preheat grill.
• Place tuna in a glass bowl. Combine rest of ingredients and pour over the tuna. Marinate tuna for at least 1 hour.
• Place directly on hot grill for 1 minute or until desired doneness.

SEARED AHI TUNA GLAZED WITH WASABI BUTTER

Steps:

• Drizzle sesame oil on both sides of each tuna steaks. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat over low heat until butter is melted, stirring constantly to mix and prevent scorching.
• While sauce is heating, heat a heavy frying pan on another burner with high heat. Place tuna in pan and sear until crispy and brown. Turn and sear on the other side.
• Note: Tuna steak fans who like their tuna on the rare side (like me) will usually find 2 minutes searing time is ample. Folks who like their tuna steaks more well-done (like my DH) may want to sear their tuna for 4-5 minutes per side.

GRILLED AHI TUNA NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Trim the haricots verts, then blanch in boiling water and refresh in cold water. Drain and season with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme, to taste. Reserve in a bowl.
• Cut the onion into 1/4-inch round slices. In a small saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Saute the onions until caramelized, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Reserve in a bowl.
• In a small bowl, toss together the roasted peppers and 1/8 cup Nigoise Salad Dressing. Reserve.
• Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch round slices. Place in a small bowl, add 1/4 cup Nigoise Salad Dressing, and toss until well blended. Reserve.
• In a small bowl, toss together the tomatoes and 1/8 cup Nigoise Salad Dressing. Reserve.
• To make crostini: Arrange the bread slices in a baking tray. Brush with olive oil and bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool, then rub with garlic clove. For each of the crostini, spread 1 tablespoon Herbed Goat Cheese and top with 1 teaspoon Black and Green Olive Tapenade.
• In a small saucepan, over high heat, add the remaining 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and sear tuna fillets until all sides are brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, keeping the centers rare. Remove from heat and slice each tuna fillet into 5 round slices.
• In a medium mixing bowl, toss together the mixed baby lettuces with 1/4 cup Nigoise Salad Dressing.
• To serve, divide the haricots verts, onion, bell peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, and olives into 6 portions. For each plate, arrange 3 portions of each ingredient by placing them in a clockwise fashion, starting with the haricots verts at 1, 5, and 9 o'clock positions near the rim of the plate. Continue to place the onion, bell peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, and olives between the haricots verts. Place quail egg halves over the peppers and an anchovy over the potatoes. Mound half of the lettuce in the center of each plate. Arrange the tuna slices on the side of the salad and top the lettuce with the crostini.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic, and shallots. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to emulsify. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sugar. Refrigerate in a covered container. When ready to use, whisk again.
• Yield: 2 1/2 cups
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, Pizza, Pasta & More!, Random House, 2000 .
• In a food processor, combine all the ingredients, except the olive oil and crostini. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding the olive oil. Refrigerate in a covered container. Spread on homemade crostini, recipe follows.
• Yield: 1 heaping cup
• Herbed Goat Cheese: 2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (7 or 8-ounce) log goat cheese
• Combine the parsley, chives, thyme, and pepper and place on a flat surface. Roll the log of cheese in the mixture, coating all sides and retaining the shape of the log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
• Yield: 1 log
• Oven-dried Tomatoes: 12 medium Roma tomatoes (2 pounds) 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional as needed 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves 6 garlic cloves, crushed 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a pot of boiling water, blanch tomatoes. Drain and refresh in ice water. Drain. Peel, core, cut into quarters, and remove seeds.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the tomato quarters on the tray, cut side down. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and sugar, and sprinkle evenly over the tomatoes.
• Bake until the tomatoes begin to shrivel, about 1 hour. When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, transfer to a container. Pour olive oil over and cover the container. Refrigerate and use as needed.
• Yield: 1 1/4 cups

SPICY SEARED AHI TUNA SALAD WITH SESAME GINGER DRESSING

Steps:

• Using your hands, coat both sides of the tuna with the sesame seed mixture. Pat and press to be sure it's well coated. Heat non-stick skillet to high and add canola oil to coat bottom of pan. Skillet should be extremely hot, then place sesame-coated tuna in pan and allow to sear for 45 seconds then flip and sear another 45 seconds. Pulling it all together: Mix ingredients for salad (mixed greens, edamame, bell pepper) together and toss with a small amount of dressing. Arrange on plates and top with the sliced tuna. Serve with extra dressing on the side to dip your tuna in.

AHI TUNA TARTARE WITH WASABI AIOLI

Steps:

• Combine tuna, peanut oil, furikake, and wasabi powder in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Mix water and 1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder together in a medium bowl. Stir in mayonnaise, chives, and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Top tortilla chips with tuna tartare, avocado, and red onion. Drizzle wasabi aioli lightly over the top.

SEARED AHI TUNA WITH ASIAN SLAW

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cabbages, green beans, red bell pepper, pickled ginger, and cilantro. Cover and refrigerate.
• In a small saucepan heat the canola oil to 325 degrees F and carefully fry the wonton strips for 3 to 4 seconds, until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the strips to a paper towel to drain. Set aside.
• For the dressing:
• In a blender or food processor, blend together the ginger, green onion, garlic, and cilantro.
• For the Tuna:
• Coat the tuna with the oil and season with the salt and pepper. On a plate scatter the sesame seeds and press the tuna into the seeds on both sides, gently shaking off the excess.
• Heat a large grill or saute pan over high heat and sear the tuna for 3 minutes on each side. Remove the fish from the pan and let rest for several minutes before slicing. The tuna will be medium-rare.
• Toss the vegetables with half of the dressing and mix well. Add half of the wonton strips and gently combine. Mound the slaw onto a platter or indivisual plates. Place the sliced tuna on top of the salad and drizzle the remaining dressing on top. Garnish with the remaining wonton strips.

FENNEL-CRUSTED AHI TUNA WITH LEMON AïOLI OVER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in heavy small skillet. Toast over medium heat until fragrant, shaking skillet occasionally, about 3 minutes. Grind spice mixture in spice grinder. Transfer to bowl; mix in 1 teaspoon salt.
• Whisk mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, and half of garlic in small bowl. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store spice mixture airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate lemon aioli.)
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrot and onion and sauté until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add thyme and remaining garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add 2 1/4 cups water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to boil. Add sugar snap peas and cook until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer peas to plate. Immediately add couscous to water in skillet and stir to combine. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork. Transfer to bowl and cool completely. Mix in sugar snap peas and dill. Season to taste with pepper. (Couscous can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Prepare barbecue (high heat). Coat tuna with 6 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with spice mixture. Grill tuna until seared outside and rare in center, about 4 minutes per side. Refrigerate uncovered for 1 hour, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spoon couscous onto plates. Top with tuna and drizzle with lemon aioli.

MISO NOODLES WITH SEARED AHI TUNA

Steps:

• For the noodles and dressing: Begin by making the dressing. In a large bowl, combine the miso, soy sauce, 1/4 cup hot water, mirin, canola oil, rice vinegar and sesame oil. Whisk together well and set aside.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the sugar snap peas until bright green and just tender, 10 to 15 seconds. Set aside. Add the soba noodles to the hot water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Then strain and rinse under cold running water (this will stop the cooking process and gives the soba noodles their distinctive springy texture). Toss the noodles in the dressing and fold in the sugar snap peas and julienned carrot. Set aside until ready to serve.
• For the seared ahi tuna: In a large mixing bowl, make a quick marinade of the canola oil, sweet soy sauce, yuzu, sesame oil and ginger. Whisk together to combine. Carefully cut the tuna into 1 1/2-inch cubes and place in the marinade and toss to coat well (it will be a very light coating/marinade as the tuna shouldn't be too wet when searing).
• Thread 4 pieces of tuna per bamboo skewer (4 cubes per skewer, 8 skewers total). Mix the sesame seeds together and spread out on a flat platter. Take each skewer and press the tuna into the sesame seed mixture so it is well coated on all 4 sides.
• Heat a flat grill plate to high heat. Brush lightly with some oil to clean the grates and create a nonstick surface. Grill the tuna skewers just a few seconds on each of the 4 sides so the sesame seeds are toasted and crunchy and the tuna is rare in the middle, 30 to 35 seconds.
• Serve the tuna skewers on a bed of the dressed soba noodles and garnish with some sliced scallions.

SEARED AHI (BBQ TUNA STEAKS)

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a bowl or plate large enough to hold the tuna steak Place tuna steak in bowl, coating both sides with butter Sprinkle half of cajun seasoning on each side of steak For an extra spicy treat, add black pepper.
• I recommend cooking this outdoors on your grill.
• Cooking indoors will generate excessive smoke.
• Heat your grill to the highest possible temperature Turn off burners (to avoid flame up) then immediately add steak Cook for 2 minutes on first side Flip and cook on other side for 1 minute.
• (The steak will be very pink inside - yum!) Remove and serve immediately as it will cool quickly.
• I recommend serving over garlic mashed potatoes with either wasabi mustard or wasabi mustard/mayo mix.
• Enjoy!

EASIEST AHI TUNA EVER

Steps:

• Rub the steak with one tbs of the olive oil.
• Put the peppercorns on a plate and press the tuna steak into the peppercorns until it is coated.
• Sprinkle the steak with salt to taste.
• Heat the other tbs of olive oil in a non-stick pan on medium high heat.
• Cook the steak 2-3 minutes per side.
• Slice the steak into 1/4" slices and serve over salad or rice.
• Note: If you do not care for raw or rare fish this recipe is not for you. Cooking a tuna steak for 2-3 minutes per side will leave the middle quite rare, and barely warm. You could cook the fish longer until it is well done, but then you would basically spending a lot of money on a cut of fish that is meant to be served rare or raw. (IMHO!).

CEVICHE WITH AHI TUNA

Steps:

• some traditional recipes use ketchup which can be substituted for the tomato juice and sugar.
• Chop tuna into 1/4 inch cubes.
• Toss with 1/2 juices, and all ingredients with exception of mango and avocado cubes.
• Let sit to marinate as desired in refrigeration.
• Before serving, chop mango and avocado and separate.
• Toss separately in the rest of the juices.
• On a large serving plate, place a small ring mold in the center of the plate.
• Spoon an equal portion of mango into bottom of a small ring mold.
• Add an equal portion of avocado and top with equal portion of Ahi mixture.
• Press down and remove mold.
• Refrigerate in pantry right away.
• Note these should be made not only daily but as close to serving as possible.
• Repeat for additional portions.
• Serve surrounded with tortilla chips and corn nuts (corn nuts are optional but are a traditional touch).
• Decorate plate and mold with chopped cilantro.
• (Alternatively, you can mix all ingredients together or not and place in an oversized martini glass. Chips can be served on the side).

AHI TUNA POKE

Steps:

• Whisk scallion, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Add tuna cubes and toss until well coated. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
• Serve with avocado and fresh lime wedges.

AHI TUNA MARINADE

Steps:

• Mix soy sauce, wine, lime juice, olive oil, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and pepper flakes until well combined.

SEARED SESAME-CRUSTED AHI TUNA

Steps:

• Rinse tuna and pat dry. Place in a prep dish and sprinkle both sides with blackened seasoning. Brush teriyaki sauce on all sides of the tuna to glaze it.
• Mix white and black sesame seeds together in a shallow dish. Dredge tuna in the sesame seeds until all sides are coated.
• Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Arrange tuna in the pan and cook for 30 to 45 seconds. Flip and cook for another 3o to 45 seconds; do not overcook!
• Quickly transfer tuna to a cutting board and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange tuna on individual plates, overlapping slices slightly. Serve immediately.

SEARED AHI TUNA SALAD WITH WASABI VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To prepare Tuna, coat with Sesame oil, salt and pepper. On a hot cooking surface sear tuna for 2 minutes on each side for rare. Slice into strips, once cooked.
• To prepare dressing, combine Wasabi, rice vinegar, soy sauce and olive oil. Whisk to combine.
• Mix the dressing with the lettuce, reserving a small amount to pour over Tuna.
• To put together, place coated lettuce on plate, place peppers, cucumber and tomaotes on lettuce. Place sliced Tuna on top of lettuce and vegetables. Drizzle reserved dressing over Tuna.

DIPPING SAUCE FOR AHI TUNA

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, pepper, and cayenne together in a small bowl.
• Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.