Ahi Tuna Steak Recipe (2024)

Ahi Tuna Steak– an easy, yet elegant, dinner worthy of the most special occasion! Made with Maple-Mustard Sauce.

How about some Ahi Tuna Steak for dinner, friends? My super-easy, foolproof, pan-seared tuna steak recipe is going to make your meal special. While the steaks are marinating in the sauce, you’ll have time to whip up a quick salad or steam some vegetables.

I don’t cook tuna very often, but when I do, I savor every single bite. I’ve tried many spice mixes and marinades for tuna steak, and the Maple-Mustard Marinade I am sharing today is by far my favorite.

Have you had Ahi Tuna Steaks before? If not, I hope you’ll start your tuna steak adventures with this ahi tuna steak recipe.

Ahi Tuna Steaks Video Tutorial

What's Ahi Tuna?

There are different types of tune. There are five widely consumed varieties of tuna: Albacore tuna, Bluefin tuna, Bigeye tuna, Skipjack tuna, and Yellowfin tuna. Yellowfin tuna (a.k.a. Ahi Tuna) is a species of tuna found in the pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. The fish have pink flesh with a milder flavor. This is the type of tuna they use in sushi restaurants to make your favorite spicy tuna rolls, sashimi (raw tuna pieces), and poke bowls. While I am not a fan of raw fish, I could eat grilled tuna steak all day long.

Where to Buy Ahi Tuna Steak?

Depending on where you live, you might have difficulties finding fresh tuna steaks. Because it’s best to keep the middle of the steaks raw, you’ll need to make sure you are buying highest quality, fresh sushi grade tuna. The best place to buy it is at a popular local fish market. Just do a quick Google search and find a fish market in your area that has good reviews and you are well on your way to creating the perfect tuna steak.

If there are no good fish markets in your area, you may opt for frozen Ahi Tuna from your local grocery store. To be honest, the difference between fresh and frozen tuna is noticeable, so I always prefer the fresh ones for the best results.

Ahi Tuna Steak Basics

Here are the basic steps for preparing Ahi Tuna Steak at home:

Buy the fish.Get your hands on some fresh, sushi-grade Ahi Tuna filets.

Marinate the fish.Take your fish out of the refrigerator. Prepare the marinade and cover the fish with it. Set it aside and let it marinate for about 20-25 minutes. This will allow the fish to come closer to room temperature and absorb some of the marinade flavors.

Sear the fish.Heat a non-stick (preferred) grill pan or cast-iron skillet over very high heat. Place the steak(s) and sear for about 1-3 minutes on each side, or until the steak reaches the desired doneness (The ahi tuna steak's internal temperature should be just at115°F). When searing Ahi Tuna steaks, it is important not to overcook them — the fish tastes best when rare in the center (but of course, cook it to your liking).

Serve the fish.Cut the Ahi Tuna steaks against the grain into ½-inch thick slices. Drizzle with the reserved marinade.

Maple-Mustard Marinade

I love this marinade on my Ahi Tuna steak. It has a great balance of sweet and sour and adds a ton of flavor. The marinade is made with a few ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• Maple Syrup
• Lemon Juice
• Dijon Mustard
• Salt
• Black Pepper

I use this marinade to drizzle on top of the steak, once it's cooked, too. Very tasty!

How to Make Ahi Tuna Steak

1. Take the Ahi Tuna out of the refrigerator. Remove the packaging, and set it aside.

2. In a large dish, mix all of the marinade ingredients. Reserve about four tablespoons of the marinade. Add the tuna steaks to the dish, and turn them until they’re well-coated. Set aside, and let them rest at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes.

3. Heat up a non-stick skillet over high heat. Place the marinated tuna steaks on top. Sear the steaks for about 1-3 minutes on each side, or until the steaks reach their desired doneness.*

4. Place the cooked steaks on a cutting board, and slice against the grain into ½-inch thick slices. Transfer the steak slices to a serving plate and drizzle with the reserved maple mustard marinade. Serve immediately. You may choose to garnish it with fresh herbs or some white sesame seeds.

*It is best to leave the middle of the tuna steak raw. Searing time will depend on your personal preference and on how thick your tuna steaks are. I like to stay and watch the steaks closely while searing. It is easy to see how the steak changes color as it cooks, so when it looks like it’s 25% cooked on the bottom, I flip it and cook it for the same amount of time on the other side.

Is Ahi Tuna Steak Healthy?

Because of the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, consuming tuna fish helps reduce omega-6 fatty acids and LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the arteries and blood vessels.

Tuna fish is packed with protein. Proteins are the building blocks of our body, which guarantee growth, faster recovery from illnesses, improved muscle tone, and overall metabolic efficiency.

Read further:The Nutrients in Ahi Tuna

Is Ahi Tuna High in Mercury?

Being on the top of the food chain, tuna fish does have higher mercury levels when compared to other fish. However, according to the FDA, most people are not affected by the low levels of mercury in most seafood, but sensitive populations like pregnant women and children should limit eating tuna to one serving, or six ounces, per week.

What to Serve Ahi Tuna Steaks with?

Serve these gorgeous Ahi Tuna Steaks on the side with:

• Cooked whiterice,quinoa, orcouscous. Try myRice and Beansrecipe.
• Steamed or fried vegetables, such asbroccoli,green beans,asparagus,carrots, and cauliflower. Try theseFajita Veggies.
• Baked or mashedpotatoes.Try myRoasted Baby Potatoes.
• Fresh salad. I especially love thisTomato SaladandTomato Avocado Salad.

I truly hope you are going to enjoy my seared Ahi tuna recipe, friends! This easy recipe is perfect for date nights and special occasions. It's made with simple ingredients and the best part is that it's also quick to make.

You'll also enjoy these easy seafood dinners:

• Cajun Salmon
• Shrimp and Zucchini Skillet
• Easy Salmon Pattyrecipe
• Healthy Cod Fish Skillet