Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks Recipe

Sometimes the most luxurious foods are the easiest! This recipe for Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks makes the best seared tuna ever. Easy, light, and packed with umami flavor, they come together in about 15 minutes flat.

Savory, Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks, Made Easy!

Do you feel like making something a little different for dinner? Maybe there’s a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up? Tuna steaks are a beautiful protein option that’s a little out of the ordinary, and they are super easy to work with. Whether you’re avoiding meat or just trying to shake things up a bit, you won’t be disappointed with this restaurant-style main course!

Encrusting the tuna with sesame seeds results in a delicious Asian flair, while protecting the meat during the sear and adding a nutty flavor as the seeds toast. This method also works well with other fish, such as swordfish and mahi mahi.

In this recipe, marinated ahi tuna meets a scrumptious sesame seed crust, which is a match made in foodie heaven! Plus, a bit of extra marinade makes a delectable dipping sauce. ?

What You’ll Need

These sesame crusted tuna steaks only take a short time to pull together, but the flavor combination of soy sauce, mirin, honey, and more is out of this world. Here’s what you’ll need to make flavor-packed seared tuna, right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

For the Tuna Steaks

• Tuna Steaks: Ahi tuna steaks are the star of this dish. They should be about 1.5-inch thick. If using frozen steaks, thaw them first in the fridge.
• Oil: Vegetable oil, or any high-heat cooking oil that you prefer.

For the Marinade

• Soy Sauce: I like low-sodium soy sauce, but regular soy sauce, tamari, and coconut aminos are all fine, too.
• Sesame Oil: Sesame seed oil is super fragrant and adds so much flavor!
• Mirin: You can also use dry sherry.
• Honey: A small amount of your favorite honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
• Vinegar: Rice vinegar is a delicate vinegar that’s just right to balance the other flavors.
• Salt: To taste.

For the Crust

• Sesame Seeds: Using both black and white sesame seeds makes the finished dish look amazing!
• Seasonings: A combination of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper adds oomph to the sesame seed crust.

What is “Ahi” Tuna?

“Ahi” tuna can mean both yellowfin or bigeye tuna, although it is most commonly used to refer to yellowfin (which is more widely known). Ahi is quality, sushi-grade tuna, which is a must when searing tuna steaks. This is what you’ll want to use in this recipe for food safety and quality. 

Ahi is usually available frozen, which I recommend because the freezing process kills bacteria. I don’t recommend using fresh, unfrozen tuna unless you live near the place where it was caught and can verify the quality and freshness.

Let’s Make Sesame Crusted Tuna!

It’s hard to stress this enough –  making restaurant-style, sesame crusted tuna steaks is so simple! With just a few steps, you’ll be on your way to a mouthwatering dish that is sure to be a big hit.

1. Prep the Tuna Steaks. First, pat the tuna steaks dry with clean paper towels. Discard the paper towels, and place the steaks in a large plastic zip-top bag.
2. Make the Marinade. Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Pour half of the marinade into a small jar or small airtight container (this will be your dipping sauce), then pour the rest of the marinade into the plastic bag with the tuna. 
3. Marinate. Close the bag and massage the liquid around to coat the tuna steaks. Let it stand for 10 minutes (or refrigerate overnight, if that works better).
4. Make the Crust Mixture. Combine the sesame seeds, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle all sides of the tuna steaks with the sesame seed mixture, and press it down to make it stick to the tuna.
5. Sear. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Pour in a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil, and allow that to heat. Next, gently place the tuna steaks in the pan, pressing them down with a metal spatula. Cook for about 1 to 1½ minutes for rare, or 2 minutes for medium-rare. (I suggest cooking two tuna steaks at a time.) Using tongs, sear the sides of the steaks for about 20 to 30 seconds per side, while holding the fish with the tongs.
6. Cool and Serve. Once the tuna steaks are seared on all sides, move them to a cutting board and let them rest for about 3 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve with the reserved marinade for dipping.

Helpful Hints

Sesame crusted tuna steaks may be simple, but there are always a few helpful tips to ensure success. Here are my top tips for making this mouthwatering tuna recipe.

• Hot Pan: To sear the tuna without overcooking the interior, you’ll want your pan hot enough to sear one side in just seconds.  Ahi tuna steaks should be rare or medium-rare, and overcooking them can lead to dry, chewy, hard to swallow tuna.
• Cook Time: Keep in mind that the cooking time depends on the thickness of your tuna steaks. A thicker steak will take longer to cook. For medium-rare, you want an internal temperature of around 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check for doneness. NOTE that the USDA does suggest to cook the tuna steaks to an internal temp of 140-145˚F.
• Quality Tuna: For the best tuna steaks you’ll want top-quality tuna. Good tuna doesn’t smell like fish, but simply fresh, salt water. It will also have moist flesh, and it should not be slimy.

Tasty Serving Suggestions

So that’s it! A gourmet main course that couldn’t be simpler to create at home. Here are a few tasty ideas for serving your perfect tuna steaks.

• Asian Noodles: Try these bold Garlic Peanut Noodles alongside your tuna steaks for a unique meal full of pan-Asian flavor.
• Cucumber Salad: Simple Sesame Cucumber Salad is ultra-fresh, and echoes the delicious sesame oil in the tuna marinade.
• Crispy Parmesan Smashed Potatoes: Crispy and cheesy, these Crispy Parmesan Smashed Potatoes go wonderfully with fish. I love how tender and full of flavor they are.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• To store your leftover tuna steaks, keep them in a shallow airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve cold, or gently reheated.
• To reheat, saute them in a covered skillet over low heat until warmed, but do not overcook.

Can I Freeze This Dish?

• Sure can! To freeze your leftover tuna steaks, keep them in an airtight container, freezer bags, or aluminum foil inside the freezer. Consume within 3 months for best quality. Make sure to thaw in the fridge before serving or reheating.

ENJOY!

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