14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2024)

Fresh tuna may feel like a fish that's best enjoyed when ordered at a delicious sushi spot or a high-end seafood restaurant, but there's no reason why you can't cook it at home. Here, you'll find simple preparations of grilled and seared tuna that can be turned into rice bowls, skewers, or served alongside a crisp salad.

When shopping for fresh tuna, be sure to choose a responsibly-caught option (you can always ask the fishmonger at your local market or grocery store for more complete sourcing information). Ahi tuna—also known as yellowfin tuna—is the premier fresh tuna choice and you'll find it available in loins and steaks. Our recipes will always specify exactly which cut you need.

When working with good-quality fresh tuna, the key is to prepare it so that it's just cooked on the outside but still rare and fully pink-red on the inside. Fresh tuna has a very firm, meaty texture that's similar to mahi mahi or swordfish and offers a relatively mild flavor. It can also be expensive, so you'll best be able to appreciate the flavor when it is served rare.

Ahead, you'll find recipes where fresh tuna is served seared and dressed simply with sesame seeds, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Enjoy it on its own with a crisp white wine for a light, delicious meal you'll crave all summer long. Of course, we also have plenty of low-key weeknight specials that include tuna rice bowls, tuna steaks served with salads and grilled vegetables, fish skewers, and more. All of these fresh tuna recipes come together quickly—and they're guaranteed to be the start of the show whenever you prepare them.

17 Canned Tuna Recipes That Aren't Just Tuna Melts or Casseroles

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Sesame-Crusted Tuna Tataki

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (1)

It takes no time at all to put together this stunning fresh tuna dish that you can serve as an elegant appetizer or impressive main course over a bed of sticky rice. The fish is seared until it's cooked on the outside but perfectly pink on the inside.

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02of 14

Seared Tuna Taco Bowl

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2)

This weeknight-friendly fresh tuna recipe comes together in 45 minutes and is bursting with color and flavor from tuna steaks, shredded red cabbage, black beans, cilantro, and sliced watermelon radishes.

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03of 14

Bluefin Tuna With Olive, Cucumber, and Cilantro Relish

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (3)

Did someone say summer dining? Seared tuna steaks are the perfect partner for this crunchy, briny relish made of olives, cucumbers, and fresh cilantro for this fresh meal that's just right to serve al fresco.

04of 14

Brown Rice With Tuna, Avocado, and Toasted Nori

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (4)

Craving sushi? Give this rice bowl a try. It's topped with all of our favorite hand-roll ingredients: seared tuna, crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, and toasted nori.

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Grilled Tuna With Mediterranean Chopped Salad

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (5)

Turn traditional Niçoise salad on its ear by tossing the potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes together and serving them alongside grilled tuna steaks. Briny Kalamata olives and umami-rich anchovies add extra oomph.

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Tuna Steaks With Lemony Tomatoes and Onion

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (6)

Sear tuna steaks just until browned on the outside but still deep-red in the center, then serve with a salad of sweet cherry tomatoes and red onion seasoned with lemon juice for an easy, colorful accompaniment.

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Seared Tuna With Tomatoes and Basil

This entrée starts by searing cubes of tuna in a hot skillet, then simmering them in a rustic sauce made from caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and basil. The dish is excellent over soft polenta or simply served with crusty bread.

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Tuna Steaks With Mint Sauce

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You'll want to try this genius trick for cooking tuna: Sprinkling salt in the skillet before cooking the prevents the fish from sticking without using oil. Here, we're serving the tuna steaks with a herby sauce of mint, garlic, lemon, and olive oil; it's similar to gremolata but with mint in place of the usual parsley.

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Seared Tuna Steaks With Sesame Oil

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Rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil seasoned with grated ginger and sliced scallions make a quick and tasty sauce for eggplant and seared tuna steaks. Steaming followed by sautéing makes the eggplant tender and delicious.

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Grilled Tuna Skewers

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (10)

Cubes of yellowfin tuna absorb the bright flavors of lime juice and cilantro in a quick marinade before hitting the grill. This healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

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Tuna With Orange-Pepper Salsa

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Create a fresh, flavorful salsa with navel oranges, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh mint, then spoon over coriander-spiced grilled tuna steaks for a sublime supper.

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Tuna Cakes With Arugula-Tomato Salad

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (12)

Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple recipe is ideal for last-minute weeknight dinners. Serve the tuna cakes and salad side by side or enjoy both in a wrap or sandwich.

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Sesame Seared Tuna With Ginger-Carrot Dipping Sauce

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Black and white sesame seeds give fresh tuna a crunchy and satisfying coating. Serve with a toasty, salty-sweet dipping sauce made of mirin, white miso, carrot juice, and ginger.

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Rosemary Tuna With White Beans

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Fresh herbs and earthy kale come together in this easy fresh tuna recipe. The combo is paired with canned white beans, creating a filling and fiber-rich dish.

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14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2024)

FAQs

How should fresh tuna be cooked? ›

Cook, uncovered, for 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness (6 to 9 minutes for the ¾-inch-thick steaks we suggest), turning once during cooking. Fish should begin to flake when tested with a fork but still be pink in the center. Adjust the heat as needed if the skillet gets too hot.

What to put in tuna to make it taste good? ›

3. Get creative with your favorite flavors
  1. 1 can tuna (5 ounces), drained.
  2. 1/4 cup mayonnaise.
  3. 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil.
  4. 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar.
  5. 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce.
  6. 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
  7. 1/2 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
  8. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
Jun 28, 2021

What seasoning is good for tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads. Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch. Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor.

What oil is best for searing tuna? ›

If you are concerned about using your extra virgin olive oil for searing at high temperature, use avocado oil since it has a higher smoke point.

How long does tuna need to be cooked? ›

Brush the tuna steaks lightly with oil, and season. Put the tuna steaks into a heated frying pan over a high heat and allow to cook for 1-2 mins, depending on how thick the tuna steaks are. Turn the tuna over and cook for 1-2 mins on the other side.

Is fresh tuna OK to eat raw? ›

Cooking tuna is the best way to get rid of parasites and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. However, it is still safe to eat raw tuna. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends freezing raw tuna in one of the following ways to remove parasites: Freeze at -20 °C or lower for 7 days Frozen at -35°C or below.

What to mix in with tuna? ›

  • Tuna Cakes: Add Eggs, Herbs & Breadcrumbs. Antonis Achilleos. ...
  • One-Pot Pasta: Add Pasta, Olives & Lemon. Joy Howard. ...
  • Tuna Melt: Add Greek Yogurt, Veggies, Cheese & Bread. Joy Howard. ...
  • Niçoise Salad: Add Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Green Beans & Dressing. ...
  • Tuna Salad Spread: Add Avocado, Greek Yogurt, Herbs & Spices.
Aug 19, 2022

What is the most delicious part of the tuna? ›

The most delicious and the most expensive is the Otoro, the part located under the belly and near the gills of the fish. This is the fattest part of the meat, which is loved by diners. Chutoro is the belly of a tuna located at the back of the tail.

What can I add to tuna instead of mayo? ›

When you're ready to elevate your next lunch or dinner, here are 12 delicious substitutes for mayo in your tuna salad.
  1. Greek yogurt. Maslova Valentina/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Avocado. Irina Rostokina/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Hummus. Tempura/Getty Images. ...
  4. Olive oil. Maryia_K/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Dijon mustard. ...
  6. Ranch dressing. ...
  7. Sour cream. ...
  8. Cottage cheese.
Jan 24, 2024

How does Gordon Ramsay cook tuna? ›

To sear both tunas:

Place your cast iron skillet on the grill, and add your choice of oil. Let the oil get nice and hot. Let the oil get to its smoke point and then gently place the Tuna. Cook for about 45 seconds per side to get that sesame layer nice and crispy.

Should tuna steaks be marinated? ›

Marinating the Ahi Tuna steaks adds depth to the flavor while keeping the meat incredibly tender.

Should I sear tuna in butter or oil? ›

The tuna can't be too dry before it hits the skillet, so give it a pat with a paper towel if you're unsure. Since oil has a higher smoke point than butter, it's perfect for searing ahi tuna steaks — but, if you're like Nicole, you might want to add a little butter anyway for extra flavor.

Should tuna be cold before searing? ›

As noted above, keeping your fish chilled until the last moment is an important safety step, but beyond that, it's also thermally advantageous. Cold tuna presents a greater barrier to heat transfer than does warm tuna, making overcooking less likely. To get a quality sear, you need high heat.

Should tuna be medium or well done? ›

When cooked all the way through, tuna tends to dry out, so I wouldn't order it past medium; whereas, the fat in salmon keeps it moist even when well done.

Does tuna have to be cooked rare? ›

Just like a beef steak, tuna steak can be served from extremely rare to well done. Consider cooking times depending on how you prefer your tuna to be served. The centre of the steak should still be pink – be careful not to overcook it or the fish will be dry.

How do you eat fresh raw tuna? ›

Need ideas for what to do with your raw fish? You could serve it as sashimi, thinly sliced, with a little soy and some wasabi, or, even better, some yuzu kosho. Or serve it as crudo, with some good olive oil and a finishing salt.

How are you supposed to cook canned tuna? ›

Directions
  1. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. ...
  2. Heat the tuna, teriyaki sauce, and garlic powder in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir until the tuna has heated through, about 5 minutes.
Sep 11, 2022

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