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Ahi Tuna Steak
The Beauty of Ahi Tuna Steaks
Ahi Tuna Steak is the perfect busy-man food. Or busy-woman. While Ahi Tuna is best fresh, you can get them frozen at Trader Joe’s (and most other grocers). They take five minutes to cook and are easy as hell to prepare. Just salt, pepper and olive oil and you’re done. If you want to get fancy, make simple fish sauce like our Spicy Soy Fish Sauce or this Mayonnaise Sauce for Seafood.Update (March 6, 2023): This is a great recipe for people looking to eat a little healthier. You should be proud. But as of a few months ago, we’ve gone almost entirely plant-based. It was certainly an unexpected journey and one on which I hope you join us. Read More »»
And yes, Ahi Tuna is beautiful. As in, they’re pretty looking. If you sear them correctly, they kind of look like a fillet mignon cooked rare. Brown on the outside, red in the center.
The Trick to Cooking Ahi Tuna Steak
Ahi Tuna Steak can be cooked on the grill. But, I’ve found it’s best cooked pan seared. It doesn’t matter what recipe you use. Usually, with Ahi Tuna, the simpler, the better. Salt, pepper, lemon pepper, extra virgin olive oil. Done.
The trick, you’ll find, is not to overcook the fish. Even if you generally like your food cooked well done, Ahi Tuna is a food you want to cook as little as possible. As it cooks, it very quickly hardens, so it’s good to make sure the center is nice and red (or pink).
Make sure your Ahi Tuna is safe to prepare rare. Check the packaging for the date or any indication of quality. If it’s fresh, give it the “smell test.” And, push the fresh Ahi Tuna through the packaging. You don’t want it too mushy or too firm.
Generally, any Ahi Tuna Steak you find in the grocery store is fit to be cooked rare. Or medium rare if prefer. Give it a try and resist temptation to over-cook. A few minutes on each side is all you need.
Print this recipe or share with someone who might make it for you!
Ahi Tuna Steak
Pan seared Ahi Tuna Steak.
Ingredients:
- ahi tuna steak – available frozen (fresh is great, too)
- salt
- pepper
- lemon pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
- Add thawed Ahi Tuna Steaks to medium hot fry pan (that’s been greased with extra virgin olive oil)
- Add salt, pepper, and lemon pepper to Ahi Tuna Steak while it’s cooking.
- Rub in a little bit of extra virgin olive oil.
- Cook for 3 minutes on each side for medium rare. Add one minute for medium.
- Serve with soy sauce or something like our Spicy Soy Fish Sauce or the delicious Mayonnaise Sauce for Seafood.
- Be happy
NOTES:
- Be careful not to over cook. They cook really quickly. If overcooked, they’re kinda crappy.
- Nutrition facts based on 4 oz servings. Typical frozen packs from Trader Joe’s come with four or five 4 oz servings.
Useful tips for Ahi Tuna Steak
46 responses to “Ahi Tuna Steak”
Hey I want to grill my tuna can you help I’m not a big fan of ginger if you have a goed ideal please pass pass it my way thanks Glenda
I used salt, onion powder, and McCormick grill mates garlic and herb to each side. Awesomeness! And simple. ?
Thank you so much for this recipe! We’re trying to make better food choices and picked up a huge bag of frozen ahi tuna steaks at Sam’s club! Valentine dinner is thawing in the fridge as I type! Ahi steaks, homemade bacon wrapped shrimp with yum yum sauce(the calorie splurge but his favorite), baked potatoes and whole green beans! I am a sucker for all frozen meals so this is perfection! I’ll update with results tomorrow.
Sounds like a lucky guy! Happy Valentine’s Day 🙂
I had never in my life fixed or eaten ahi tuna steak. However my boyfriend and I have been trying out a Paleo type diet and he loves baked fish. I had picked up a couple of frozen ahi tuna steaks at the grocery store recently and had put them in the fridge to thaw yesterday. I still wasn’t too sure about trying them but he really wanted them for supper. So I found your recipe online and the end result was absolutely delicious. I left off the lemon pepper because my boyfriend doesn’t like it and I didn’t have any. I fixed baked sweet potatoes and zucchini to go with it. Delicious and filling. Will be signing up for your newsletter!
Good for you, Jennifer! Sounds like an amazing (and very healthy) meal.
We’ve got lots more inspiration for you via the newsletter.
Right now, we’re doing a season on cauliflower (sub for rice, potato, crust)… very paleo!
I have yet to find a way to screw up anything using Ahi Tuna. I’m able to buy it at most grocery stores but make sure it’s a deep red and uniform color. There’s no problem with previously frozen but I recommend you do not freeze again. It’ll dry out and shrink. In the case of Ahi, less is better. I make just a small amount of sauce. VERY thin marinade of Soy sauce, wasabi paste, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger & garlic. Dip the ahi for a few seconds and cook on the hot stove less than 3 minutes a side.
Hi Gail,
That sounds delicious, we’ll try that recipe next time we’re craving ahi 🙂
I am trying this tonight. I put my homemade creole dry rub on them. Fingers crossed! Oh, and serving with a nice, dry Savignon Blanc and steamed broccoli…hmmm, maybe some rosemary/sea salt crusted roasted potatoes as well.
Sounds delicious! How did it come out?
getting ready to cook up some ahi, was looking for some cooking tips & found you. You don’t mention @ what temp do you cook this? Thanks!
Medium – high heat. Sear it, ya know? 🙂
Thanks for the tip! It turned out perfect! I definitely will be back for more tips on other food recipes. I have a hard time cooking pork loins/chops and making them come out tender. Just can’t do it.
Wow! Loved the recipe. I like to taste the flavor of the meat that I am eating & this one nailed it. I paired the ahi tuna steak with wilted spinach with almonds & a homemade apple Riesling. Yum. Thanks for posting simple recipes.
R~Sounds delicious, Rebecca. Glad it turned out so well!
Oh my. I just read this page. I used to get these only in fine restaurants, then recently my supermarket had some which looked just like yours. I cooked like you did, in my heavy iron skillet. Just as I do my nice thick rare filet mignon. Heavenly.
Wonderful to hear, Bernice. Thank you.
Thank you for the recipe, I will be making this tonight! Due to multiple health conditions between us and the fact we both gained so much weight during her recent pregnancy (4 month old daughter now), my wife and I have recently started an all natural no preservative diet. I gotta admit it’s working, we both have lost weight and feel better. Problem is I’m a stay at home dad and am running out of ideas for things to cook. This sounds delicious, I will be cruising your site for more ideas. #grateful
Excellent. Keep cruising. 🙂
Ok, I may be worse than the girl who can burn water (and yes, I’ve managed to do that – as well as start a kitchen fire – who knew you needed oil in the pan before searing a pot roast. Oh, and there was that time I cracked a glass cooktop – apparently really hot water can just crack those suckers. But I digress…)
So, what is the best way to thaw those ahi tuna steaks?
Unwrap, put on plate, throw in fridge overnight. 🙂
Made this tonight, so easy and very tasty. My fiancee and I both loved it!
Way to go, man.
What’s next? 🙂
Thanks for posting this awesome and super easy recipe, brother!! Ironically, I happened to have some Ahi from Trader Joe’s and needed some tips. La, here you are! Great meal tonight — I prepared it exactly as you described, serving it with brown rice flavored with Bragg’s Aminos and freshly ground pepper and roasting some asparagus with garlic and Parmesan. It was one of the easiest and perfect meals ever ~ thanks! And now I’m off to peruse what else you have on this site . . . 😉
Yay! 🙂
Tried this recipe tonight and the Ahi was delicious! My hubby kept asking if it was done, as he saw the pink inside! I did it 4 mins each side and it was perfect! I used same spices, keeping it minimal and the taste of Ahi was soooo yummy! Now I have to check out your other recipes as I’m all about quick, simple and healthy! Thanks for sharing!
Glad it worked out so well, Maureen.
Who’s NOT all about quick, simple and healthy? 🙂
Amazing recipe, quick and easy. I’m 20 and can burn water so this was great for me. Ha. Thank you so much!! 🙂
Good work, Emmy. Your future spouse is appreciative of your efforts today. 🙂
I love this recipe! I made this today and was super impressed. I added some Korean red pepper flakes to round out the flavor, but next time I make it I will probably try a butter reduction sauce to retain some more of the moisture.
Go Jessica!
Next time take a pic and tag it #lifeisnoyoke . Would love to see how it turned out. 🙂
Great Tuna recipe.. so easy to make
Thank you. Any feedback from making it?
Thanks for making life easier tonight!
Thanks for making my day tonight!
Friggin’ awesome site! Easy to navigate n the recipes are average-joe easy. My Lady-friend has a very specific menu/diet that we try to follow and I’m definitely adding your site to my go-to page for ideas. Thanks and keep up the good work and keep the ideas flowing. May your plate never be empty.
Thanks a lot, man. I really appreciate it.
This was site was made for guys like us.
Would love to hear more about what your gf mandates for your diet!
Good things,
Lenny
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