Description

This recipe delivers perfectly seared ahi tuna steaks with a flavorful sesame crust and a tangy dipping sauce. Ready in just 10 minutes, it offers a quick, elegant dish featuring sushi-grade tuna, infused with the bright flavors of ginger, garlic, and soy. Ideal for a light yet satisfying meal, it’s garnished with sesame seeds and optional green onions or lime wedges for a fresh finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Ahi Tuna Steaks

2 ahi tuna steaks (6 oz each, sushi-grade)

Marinade and Dipping Sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional for balance)

Coating & Seasonings

2 tablespoons sesame oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds (or more white if unavailable)

Garnish (Optional)

Sliced green onions
Lime wedges

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Instructions

Prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and honey or maple syrup if using. Set this mixture aside to use as a flavorful dipping sauce later.
Season the tuna: Pat the ahi tuna steaks dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
Coat with sesame seeds: On a plate, combine the white and black sesame seeds. Press each seasoned tuna steak firmly into the sesame seeds, ensuring both sides are evenly coated with the seeds to create a crunchy crust.
Heat the skillet: Place a skillet over high heat and add the sesame oil. Heat the oil until it shimmers, indicating it’s hot enough for searing the tuna.
Sear the tuna: Place the coated tuna steaks in the hot skillet. Sear each side for 30 to 45 seconds for a rare finish, ensuring the outside develops a golden crust while the inside remains pink and cool. For medium-rare, sear slightly longer.
Rest and slice: Remove the seared tuna from the skillet and let it rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Then, slice it against the grain into 1/2-inch thick pieces for tender servings.
Serve: Arrange the sliced tuna on a plate, serve with the prepared dipping sauce, and garnish with sliced green onions and lime wedges if desired for a fresh and vibrant presentation.

Notes

Make sure to use sushi-grade ahi tuna for safety and the best flavor.
Adjust searing time depending on your preferred doneness; shorter for rare, longer for medium-rare.
Honey or maple syrup is optional but helps balance the savory and tangy notes of the dipping sauce.
The use of both white and black sesame seeds adds visual contrast and texture but can be substituted with just white sesame seeds if needed.
Resting the tuna after searing helps retain juices and improves tenderness.