Ahi tuna is one of those seafood dishes that people can be intimidated to try. Which, I get it. There’s a ton of seafood that’s a) pretty pricy, and b) can be unappetizing if you don’t cook it properly. Ahi tuna fits into both of those categories. But don’t worry, we’re going to do this together, and I promise, it’s not that bad.
This dish is getting a ton of flavor from the sesame crust we’re going to put on it. Not only does it contain sesame seeds, but also salt, spices and sugar for a tiny bit of caramelization. We’re also going to pair it with a bomb, but super easy dipping sauce!
You are watching: Seared Ahi Tuna with Sesame Crust
If you’ve ever had seared ahi tuna at a restaurant, then you know how incredibly delicious it is. Luckily, it’s easy to recreate at home!
Jump to:
- Why You’re Going to Love this Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is Ahi Tuna?
- Where Can I buy It?
- Why are we Adding the Sesame Crust?
- Ingredients
- How to Make Seared Ahi Tuna
- Internal Temperature
- What to Serve with It
- Wine Pairings
- Other Awesome Seafood Dishes
- 📖 Recipe
Why You’re Going to Love this Recipe
- Tuna is a rich, flavorful piece of fish. It tastes super meaty, and it’s firm texture holds up really well when you sear it. So you get the awesome flavor, crispy texture, and then added flavor from the searing.
- It’s easy. I know, I know. You do have to cook it perfectly. But you’re going to, we’re going to get into all of that below.
- It’s super impressive. If you’ve got the partners coming over for drinks after work, this dish is sure to wow them.
- It’s very quick. The tuna barely has to cook before you get it out of the pan.
- It’s healthy! Tuna is so good for you, plus it’s delicious! You’re going to love it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Ahi Tuna?
Ahi tuna is a type of fish that’s also known as yellowfin tuna. It’s a pretty popular fish, especially for sushi and sashimi. It’s got a really flavorful, almost meaty taste and a firm, meaty texture. It’s usually a pretty bright red color when it’s raw, but it turns a more pinkish color when it’s cooked. You can cook it a bunch of different ways, but searing it is probably the most popular method.
Where Can I buy It?
You can buy ahi tuna at a lot of different places! If you’re looking for fresh ahi tuna, your best bet is probably a seafood market or a high-end grocery store. These places usually have a good selection of fresh seafood, including ahi tuna.
You can also try checking out a local fishing pier or speaking with a local fisherman to see if they have any fresh ahi tuna for sale.
If you’re not able to find fresh ahi tuna, you can also try looking for it at a restaurant or at a store that sells pre-packaged, frozen seafood.
Why are we Adding the Sesame Crust?
One of the main benefits of adding a sesame crust to seared ahi tuna is that it adds an additional layer of flavor to the dish. Sesame seeds have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the rich flavor of ahi tuna. The seeds also add a crunchy texture to the dish, which can be a nice contrast to the tender, meaty texture of the tuna.
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In addition to adding flavor and texture, a sesame crust can also help to protect the tuna from drying out during the searing process. The seeds can help to create a barrier between the heat of the pan and the tuna, which can help to keep the tuna moist and juicy.
Ingredients
For the Tuna
- 2 ahi tuna steaks (about 6 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoon black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
How to Make Seared Ahi Tuna
Preheat a pan or grill over high heat. You want it to be super hot.
In a small bowl, mix together the sesame seeds, salt, sugar, paprika, and garlic powder. Coat the tuna steaks on both sides with the mixture, pressing gently to help it stick.
Add the olive oil to the pan or grill and wait until it’s shimmering. Add the tuna steaks and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or 2-3 minutes per side for medium. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure the tuna is cooked to your desired doneness. It should be 145°F for medium-rare and 160°F for medium.
Note: You may need to adjust the temperature of your pan to keep the sesame seeds from burning. At a super high heat, the burn really quickly, so it’s best to turn the heat down slightly if you need too (especially if you want to cook it for longer!).
Take the tuna out of the pan or grill and let it rest for a bit. In the meantime, make your dipping sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl, and whisking together.
Internal Temperature
Just like steak, you can choose from different levels of doneness when it comes to ahi tuna. Here’s what you’re looking for – and if you’re unsure, a meat thermometer can be super helpful with this!
- Rare: Ahi tuna that is cooked to a rare doneness is seared quickly on high heat, leaving the center of the tuna raw or partially cooked. The internal temperature of rare ahi tuna should be about 120-125°F.
- Medium-rare: Ahi tuna that is cooked to a medium-rare doneness is seared for a slightly longer time, leaving the center of the tuna pink and slightly cooked. The internal temperature of medium-rare ahi tuna should be about 135-140°F.
- Medium: Ahi tuna that is cooked to a medium doneness is seared for a longer time, leaving the center of the tuna pink and fully cooked. The internal temperature of medium ahi tuna should be about 145-150°F.
- Well-done: Ahi tuna that is cooked to a well-done doneness is seared for a longer time, leaving the center of the tuna fully cooked and no longer pink. The internal temperature of well-done ahi tuna should be about 155-165°F.
Note: for the perfect texture of the ahi tuna, I really, really don’t recommend anything higher than medium rare for this recipe. In fact, rare is my favorite way to eat it! And if you buy sushi grade tuna, it should be totally safe.
What to Serve with It
A big ol’ salad with lots of fresh veggies would be a great side dish for sesame crusted ahi tuna. You could throw in some mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, and whatever other veggies you like. Top it off with a simple vinaigrette dressing and you’re good to go!
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Grilled veggies would also be a tasty side for sesame crusted ahi tuna. You could slice up some zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and/or asparagus and throw them on the grill for a few minutes until they’re tender and caramelized. Yum!
If you’re feeling carb-y, some grilled bread or a simple pasta dish would be a great side for sesame crusted ahi tuna. You could brush some sliced baguette with olive oil and grill it for a few minutes until it’s toasty, or toss some pasta with a simple tomato sauce or pesto.
Sushi rice: If you’re feeling like sushi, you can serve the tuna over a bed of sushi rice and top it with your favorite sushi toppings.
And of course, no meal is complete without a refreshing drink to wash it all down! Some ice cold water, iced tea, or a crisp white wine would all be great options to serve with sesame crusted ahi tuna.
Wine Pairings
If you’re looking for a white wine to go with your sesame crusted ahi tuna, you can’t go wrong with a crisp, dry sauvignon blanc. The zesty acidity of the wine will help to balance out the richness of the tuna and the nutty flavor of the sesame crust.
A light, fruity pinot noir would also be a great choice to pair with sesame crusted ahi tuna. The wine’s red fruit flavors and subtle tannins will complement the tuna’s rich flavor and the sesame seeds’ nuttiness.
If you’re in the mood for a bubbly wine, a dry sparkling wine like Champagne or prosecco would be a great choice to pair with sesame crusted ahi tuna. The bubbles will help to cut through the richness of the tuna and the sesame seeds’ crunchiness will pair well with the wine’s effervescence.
Finally, if you’re a fan of full-bodied white wines, a rich, buttery chardonnay would be a great option to pair with sesame crusted ahi tuna. The wine’s oak and butter flavors will complement the tuna’s richness and the sesame seeds’ nuttiness.
Other Awesome Seafood Dishes
📖 Recipe
Jump to:
- Why You’re Going to Love this Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is Ahi Tuna?
- Where Can I buy It?
- Why are we Adding the Sesame Crust?
- Ingredients
- How to Make Seared Ahi Tuna
- Internal Temperature
- What to Serve with It
- Wine Pairings
- Other Awesome Seafood Dishes
- 📖 Recipe
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe