How to cook tuna steak (2024)

Tuna has a meaty firm flesh and a rich, strong flavour due to its high oil content. Because tuna is oily, the flesh goes off more quickly than some other fish, so buy it as fresh as you can. Tuna will have already been skinned, boned and cut into portions when you buy it, making it a very easy fish to use as there's minimal prep to be done other than adding flavour – and it’s exceptionally fast to cook.

Advertisement

Buying

Tuna is mainly sold as steaks. You may also see strips of loin for making sushi and sashimi, and paler ventresca steaks (toro in Japanese) which are cut from the fatty belly. Look for firm, dense red or dark red flesh when buying tuna loin or steaks, and make sure it is from a sustainable source – check the Marine Stewardship Council website for the latest advice. Choose thicker steaks as these will cook far better (see below).

How to cook tuna steak (1)

How to cook tuna

Tuna dries out quite quickly and turns crumbly, so it should be cooked very briefly over a high heat in a frying pan, on a griddle or over a barbecue; or cooked under oil (confit), sous vide or simmered in a sauce. Tuna can be served cooked to rare, or cooked to a crust on the outside and raw in the centre, known as tataki in Japan. Pan-frying or griddling make this easier to control.

Because tuna has a fairly robust flavour, you can easily add herbs, spices and flavours to it without worrying about overwhelming the taste. Marinating tuna steaks will add flavour to the surface, but won’t make it any juicier – keeping a close eye on your steak while cooking is the only way to make sure it won’t dry out.

How to cook tuna steak (2)

Pan-fried tuna steaks recipe

Serves 2

More like this
  • 2 thick tuna steaks
  • olive oil for brushing
  1. Brush the tuna steaks lightly with oil, and season.
  2. Put the tuna steaks into a heated frying pan over a high heat and allow to cook for 1-2 mins, depending on how thick the tuna steaks are.
  3. Turn the tuna over and cook for 1-2 mins on the other side. Look at the side of the tuna to see how far through it is cooked, but remember it will keep cooking for a short while when taken off the heat. Rest for a couple of mins before serving.
How to cook tuna steak (3)

Griddled tuna steaks recipe

Serves 2

  • 2 thick tuna steaks
  • olive oil for brushing
  1. Brush the tuna steaks lightly with oil, and season.
  2. Put the tuna steaks into a heated griddle pan over a high heat (the pan must be very hot) and allow to cook for 1-2 mins depending on how thick the tuna steaks are. If you want to make a crisscross pattern on the surface, rotate the tuna by 90 degrees halfway through.
  3. Turn over carefully and cook in the same way for 1 min. Look at the side of the tuna to see how far through it is cooked, but remember it will keep cooking for a short while when taken off the heat. Cook for a little longer if you prefer. Rest for a couple of mins before serving.

5 recipes using tuna steaks

Moroccan-spiced tuna

How to cook tuna steak (4)

Use your griddle to good effect with this spiced Moroccan-style tuna.

Moroccan-spiced tuna

Tuna steaks with cucumber relish

How to cook tuna steak (5)

Add a fresh hit of flavour by adding a crunchy relish to tuna.

Tuna steaks with cucumber relish

Salad Niçoise

How to cook tuna steak (6)

Posh up your salad Niçoise by using fresh tuna instead of tinned.

Salad Niçoise

Fresh tuna tortillas

How to cook tuna steak (7)

Tuna makes a good alternative to meat when filling tortillas.

Fresh tuna tortillas

Teriyaki tuna skewers

How to cook tuna steak (8)

Make these teriyaki skewers by pan-frying tuna steaks and cutting them into neat pieces.

Teriyaki tuna skewers

Tuna Caesar with anchovies & cavolo nero

How to cook tuna steak (9)

Take a Caesar salad to the next level by using fresh tuna and cavolo nero – it’s dinner party-worthy.

Tuna Caesar with anchovies & cavolo nero

Discover more delicious seafood recipes...

Tuna recipe collection
Fish recipe collection
How to make next level fish pie
How to use up leftover anchovies
10 things to do with smoked salmon

Advertisement

How do you like to serve tuna? Leave a comment below...

How to cook tuna steak (10)
How to cook tuna steak (2024)

FAQs

What is the best method of cooking tuna? ›

Searing tuna steaks in a hot skillet caramelizes the surfaces of the fish and locks in the moisture. For best results when mastering how to cook tuna steak on a stove, start with ¾-inch-thick steaks. Choose a heavy skillet that best fits the number of tuna steaks you are cooking.

How long should tuna steaks be cooked? ›

Brush the tuna steaks lightly with oil, and season. Put the tuna steaks into a heated frying pan over a high heat and allow to cook for 1-2 mins, depending on how thick the tuna steaks are. Turn the tuna over and cook for 1-2 mins on the other side.

What seasoning is good for tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads. Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch. Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor.

Do you use oil when searing tuna? ›

The tuna can't be too dry before it hits the skillet, so give it a pat with a paper towel if you're unsure. Since oil has a higher smoke point than butter, it's perfect for searing ahi tuna steaks — but, if you're like Nicole, you might want to add a little butter anyway for extra flavor.

How do you know when tuna is fully cooked? ›

How do you know when tuna steaks are done? Tuna steaks should reach a minimum internal temperature of 125 degrees.

Do you wash tuna steaks before cooking? ›

Tuna steaks should not be washed before cooking - just pat them dry with some kitchen paper. Tinned tuna should be drained before use.

Should you take tuna steak out of fridge before cooking? ›

If you're wondering why tuna steaks would need to get to room temperature before cooking, it's very simple. As with other meats, even on high heat a cold center won't warm in the time that it takes to sear the outside, particularly if you prefer to serve your tuna steaks rare.

Should you marinate tuna steak? ›

When home cooks marinate raw tuna steaks, the solution adds flavor and tenderizes the fish, yielding juicy tuna steaks. After marinating, you can grill, broil, or sear the tuna steaks and serve them with side dishes of veggies.

Is tuna steak healthy? ›

Tuna is especially abundant in omega 3 fatty acids. They're brilliant for the body and are thought to help lower cholesterol, boost brain function and improve eye health. It's an excellent source of vitamin B12. Tuna is rich in vitamin B12, a form of B vitamin responsible for helping the body form new red blood cells.

What goes best with tuna steak? ›

The best side dishes to serve with a tuna steak are French fries, avocado salad, blooming onion, brown rice and vegetables, Las Vegas roll, stuffed mushrooms, zucchini boats, crispy green beans, quinoa salad, mashed sweet potatoes, grilled asparagus, coleslaw, cucumber salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed spinach, ...

How long do tuna steaks take to cook? ›

Cook the tuna steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side, until opaque on the outside but slightly pink in the middle.

Should tuna be cold before searing? ›

As noted above, keeping your fish chilled until the last moment is an important safety step, but beyond that, it's also thermally advantageous. Cold tuna presents a greater barrier to heat transfer than does warm tuna, making overcooking less likely. To get a quality sear, you need high heat.

What is the best way to eat tuna? ›

  1. 1Tuna burritos.
  2. 2Tuna-ball puttanesca with spaghetti. The whole family with enjoy this tuna twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs.
  3. 3Tuna, rice and spinach salad. ...
  4. 4Tuna, corn and egg pies. ...
  5. 5Tuna shepherd's pie. ...
  6. 6Potato, corn & tuna patties. ...
  7. 7Easy canned tuna nachos. ...
  8. 8Tuna mornay with crunchy chip topping.

Is canned tuna better in vegetable oil or water? ›

Oil vs Water

Tuna packed in water will contain fewer calories and less fat but also allows for the loss of omega 3 fatty acids to occur. Water-packed also dilutes the natural juices and flavors contained within the fish and can lead to a more rounded and less refined taste.

How are you supposed to cook canned tuna? ›

Canned tuna is actually already cooked before it's canned, so technically, you can eat it straight from the can if you want. However, you can add canned tuna to a dish that you're cooking to add some healthy protein. For instance, you can add canned tuna to a pot of mac and cheese.

Why is tuna cooked medium rare? ›

Serving the tuna with a rare (raw) centre ensures the inside remains tender and succulent. Tuna that is medium or well done will start to resemble our friend the canned tuna – except without the canning oil that conveniently makes up for that dryness!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6012

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.