This Trader Joe’s Ahi Tuna Recipe is a quick and perfectly seared recipe, which is made with ahi tuna and sesame seeds. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in under 10 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Ahi Tuna Recipe Ingredients
- 10 1/2 ounces ahi tuna steak (approx. 2 steaks)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons oil
How To Make Trader Joe’s Ahi Tuna Recipe
- Dry and Season the Tuna: Pat the ahi tuna steaks completely dry on all sides with a paper towel. In a small bowl, combine the red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the tuna.
- Create the Sesame Crust: Spread the sesame seeds on a plate. Press each side of the seasoned tuna steaks into the seeds until they are well-coated, pressing gently to help the seeds adhere to the flesh.
- Sear the Tuna Steaks: Heat a skillet (preferably cast iron or heavy-bottomed) over medium-high heat until it is very hot. Add the oil. Carefully place the tuna steaks in the hot pan and sear for 90 seconds per side for a rare center. The sesame seeds should be lightly browned and fragrant.
- Rest and Slice: Immediately remove the tuna steaks from the pan and place them on a cutting board. Let them rest for a minute, then use a very sharp knife to slice them thinly against the grain. Serve with soy sauce and a sprinkling of scallions, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get the perfect sear? A very hot pan is essential. Let your skillet heat up for a few minutes before adding the oil. The second key is a completely dry surface on the fish; patting the tuna dry with paper towels is a crucial step for getting a great crust.
- How do I know when the tuna is done? Seared ahi is traditionally served rare in the middle. A 90-second sear per side is the perfect amount of time to cook the outside while leaving the center a cool, ruby red. Do not overcook it, or the fish will become tough and dry.
- What is the best pan to use? A cast-iron skillet is ideal because it gets screaming hot and retains heat well, which is perfect for a quick, hard sear. A heavy-duty nonstick or stainless steel skillet will also work.
- How do I get the sesame seeds to stick? Patting the fish dry first helps the seeds adhere. After pressing the tuna into the seeds, use your hands to gently press them into the flesh one more time to ensure they are well-attached before searing.
What To Serve With Ahi Tuna
This restaurant-style tuna is versatile and pairs well with many sides.
- A bed of steamed jasmine or white rice
- A simple mixed greens salad with a ginger dressing
- Sautéed or steamed vegetables like bok choy or green beans
- Dipping sauces like soy sauce, wasabi, or a sriracha aioli
How To Store Ahi Tuna
Refrigerate: Leftover sliced ahi tuna is best enjoyed cold. Store it in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheating is not recommended as it will cook the tuna all the way through and make it tough.
Ahi Tuna Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 serving
- Calories: 161kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 329mg
- NET CARBS: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
For this recipe, you want to look for “sushi-grade” or “sashimi-grade” ahi (yellowfin or bigeye) tuna steaks. This indicates that the fish is of high enough quality to be eaten rare.
You can, but it is not recommended for this cut of fish. Ahi tuna is very lean, and cooking it well-done will result in a dry and firm texture, similar to canned tuna. The appeal of this dish is the contrast between the seared outside and the tender, rare inside.
Yes, you can marinate the tuna for about 15-20 minutes before searing. A simple marinade of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a little sesame oil works well. If you marinate it, be sure to pat it very dry before applying the sesame seeds.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s Ahi Tuna Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: Asian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes3
minutes161
kcalA restaurant-quality seared ahi tuna with a crispy sesame seed crust that is incredibly quick and easy to make at home, perfect for a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients
2 (5-oz) ahi tuna steaks
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tsp oil
Directions
- Pat the tuna steaks completely dry with a paper towel.
- Combine the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and season all sides of the tuna.
- Press all sides of the tuna into the sesame seeds to create a crust.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Sear the tuna steaks for 90 seconds per side for a rare center.
- Remove from the pan, let rest for one minute, then slice thinly.
Notes
- A very hot pan is the most important key to getting a perfect sear on the outside while keeping the inside rare.
- Patting the tuna steak completely dry ensures the seasonings and sesame seeds stick well and helps create a better crust.
- Do not overcook the tuna; this cut is lean and will become dry and tough if cooked past rare or medium-rare.
- For the best results, use a high-quality, sushi-grade tuna steak.
