Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steak Recipe

You don't need to go to some fancy restaurant to enjoy a sesame-crusted tuna steak. Believe it or not, you can make this delicious dish in the comfort of your own home, and one of the best parts about it is how simple it is. From the grocery shopping (which only requires a few ingredients), to the actual prep and cook time of 15 minutes total, this is as easy as can be. And who doesn't love a delicious and easy meal? This dish would be great to serve as an appetizer at a dinner party, or it would also make a great main course if you are looking for lighter fare.

Recipe developer Christina Musgrave of Tasting With Tina came up with this fantastic recipe, and she hits the nail on the head when describing her favorite part: "I love how easy this dish is. It feels so fancy but comes together super quickly and is just so delicious!" Musgrave also loves ordering seafood at restaurants, and she shares that she "was inspired by sesame-crusted Ahi tuna dishes that I order in restaurants quite frequently," and "wanted to create something similar at home!" She certainly succeeded, but you'll find that out for yourself when you whip up these delicious seafood dish.

Gather the ingredients for sesame-crusted tuna steak

When you're ready to make this incredibly fresh dish, you will need to head to the store and gather all the ingredients. Pick up Ahi tuna steaks, soy sauce, sesame oil, canola oil, and sesame seeds.

Combine the soy sauce and sesame oil

Let's get down to business. To start, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to a bowl. You will need to dip the tuna steaks into a bowl, so make sure it's wide enough for them to fit. Next, stir to combine the two liquids together.

Then, grab a plate and add 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds, and spread them out evenly on the plate. "I would say the sesame crust makes it special — it gives the tuna a delicious texture and adds flavor to the dish," Musgrave shares. 

Dip the tuna in soy sauce and sesame

Grab your tuna steaks and dip each side into the soy sauce mixture. The sauce not only adds flavor but it also helps the sesame seeds stick. Once you dip each tuna steak in the soy mixture, move it over to the sesame seed station. Be sure to dip on both sides. 

Add oil to the pan and cook the tuna steaks

Take out your favorite large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the canola oil to the pan and allow it to get hot. If you don't have canola oil, that's fine. "Any oil with a high smoke point is good! Grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil are all good subs," Musgrave shares. 

Once the oil begins to simmer, add the tuna steaks to the skillet. Simply sear the steaks for about 1 minute on each side. How easy is that?

Serve your sesame-crusted tuna steaks and enjoy

After removing the tuna steaks from the heat, slice each one into thin, slices just as if you were to order this at a restaurant. Voila — now you can serve to your guests. This light dish would be delicious on its own, but Musgrave also provides a great serving suggestion. "This is great over an arugula salad," she says.

And, if you have leftovers, it's better to eat them sooner rather than later. "I recommend eating this right away as leftovers won't keep well. If you do have leftovers, eat them within a day and reheat by pan searing to warm the tuna," Musgrave notes.

Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steak Recipe
5 from 62 ratings
This sesame-crusted tuna steak recipe is fresh, flavorful, and comes together in a breeze.
Prep Time
10
minutes
Cook Time
5
minutes
Servings
4
Servings
tuna steak on plate
Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
  • 4 Ahi tuna steaks
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Directions
  1. Combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a bowl. Place 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds on a plate.
  2. Dip both sides of the tuna into the sesame soy mixture, then dip both sides with sesame seeds. Repeat until each steak is coated.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add canola oil to the pan.
  4. When the oil is shimmering, add tuna steaks and sear for 1 minute per side.
  5. Cut the tuna into thin slices and serve.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 274
Total Fat 10.0 g
Saturated Fat 1.3 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 66.3 mg
Total Carbohydrates 1.3 g
Dietary Fiber 0.6 g
Total Sugars 0.0 g
Sodium 296.7 mg
Protein 42.6 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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