Description
This Seared Tuna Steaks recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to enjoy fresh tuna with a perfectly seared crust and a tender, rare center. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s ideal for a light, healthy meal with simple seasonings and optional lemon wedges for brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 2 tuna steaks (6–8 oz each)
Seasonings and Oils
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (grapeseed, avocado, or canola)
Optional
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the pan: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it is very hot, which will help create a perfect sear on the tuna steaks.
- Dry the tuna: Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels thoroughly to remove excess moisture, ensuring a nice crust forms when seared.
- Season the steaks: Generously season both sides of the tuna steaks with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavor of the fish.
- Add oil to the pan: Pour the tablespoon of neutral oil into the hot pan. Wait until the oil is shimmering and hot before adding the tuna.
- Cook the tuna: Carefully place the tuna steaks in the pan. Sear them for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side depending on your preferred level of doneness, aiming for a rare center.
- Rest the tuna: Remove the tuna steaks from the pan and let them rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and keep the fish moist.
- Slice and serve: Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna steaks thinly and serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges if desired for added freshness and acidity.
Notes
- For best results, use sushi-grade tuna steaks to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
- The searing time can be adjusted to your preference; less time for very rare, longer for medium rare.
- Make sure the pan is very hot before adding the tuna to get a good crust without overcooking the inside.
- Lemon wedges add a bright contrast that complements the richness of the tuna.
- Serve immediately after slicing for optimal flavor and texture.
