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Seared Tuna Steak with Dipping Sauce
5 from 27 votes

Seared Tuna Steak with Dipping Sauce

Seared Tuna Steak with Dipping Sauce features ahi tuna seasoned simply with salt and pepper, cooked to medium-rare to preserve its tender, sashimi-grade texture. It’s paired with a tangy, slightly sweet dipping sauce combining soy, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. The recipe focuses on a quick sear to develop a golden crust while keeping the interior warm and rare.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 314 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or a gluten-free alternative, reduced-sodium
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 garlic minced, clove
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Tuna:
  • 4 ounce ahi tuna steaks 1.5-inch thick, sashimi-grade
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton kosher salt, Diamond Crystal brand
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil for frying; can skip if using a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the dipping sauce, whisk together the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and red pepper flakes) in a small bowl. Let the sauce sit at room temperature while you cook the fish.
  2. Season the tuna with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet (such as a cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Add the oil and swirl to coat. If your cast-iron skillet is well-seasoned, you can skip the oil.
  4. Place the tuna in the hot pan. Cook until a golden crust has formed and the fish is medium-rare (red warm center), about 2 minutes per side.
  5. Transfer the tuna steaks to a cutting board and cut them into 1⁄4-inch-thick slices.
  6. Serve the tuna with the dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Use fresh, sushi-grade tuna free from any fishy odor for best taste.
  • Adjust searing time dependent on tuna steak thickness and stovetop heat to reach desired doneness.
  • Best served immediately; leftovers are not recommended due to the rare interior.

Nutrition Information

Serving 8ounces Calories 314kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 53g (106%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Sodium 637mg (27%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 314

% Daily Value*

Serving 8ounces
Calories 314kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 53g 106%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Sodium 637mg 27%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.