Easy Ahi Tuna Marinade Recipe: Seared Marinated Tuna

This recipe for ahi tuna marinade is so simple and delicious. All the ingredients are available at your local grocery stores but you will be thinking that this is a dish that you were served at a restaurant!

I love fish. Fish is a big thing in our house because we do not eat meat. We love salmon and cod, and I then realized that we did not have much tuna. We still do not eat much tuna but when we do, we make it like this. 

The first time I recall having ahi tuna was in (of all places) Tulsa, Oklahoma. We travelled to Tulsa for our friends wedding and a couple of us went to this great restaurant, Juniper. It was absolutely delicious and I have thought about it for years. It has taken me until now to reunite myself with this delicious dish but I have created a perfect and easy recipe for an ahi tuna marinade and dish. The marinade is 5 ingredients, and once properly marinated, the fish is finished in under 10 minutes. It is perfect for a weekday meal and goes well with so many things! Let’s get started

⭐️ Tips, Tricks, and Alterations:

This is an ahi tuna recipe however you can use it with different types of tuna if you wish (see below). 

Ahi tuna: it is important when using fresh seafood that you use high-quality tuna. I recommend using sushi-grade ahi tuna (aka sashimi grade). To get the right type of tuna, speak to whomever works behind the fish counter at your local grocery store!

I use coconut aminos in my recipe because I make this as a gluten-free version (as all my recipes are). However, if you do not have coconut aminos, you can use liquid aminos or soy sauce in its place.

It is your choice on what type of skillet you want to use, I like using a cast-iron skillet but you can also use a nonstick skillet.

Do not use olive oil in place of sesame oil in the recipe.

For best results, always follow the recipe card!

⍰ What are different species of tuna?

Tuna is a popular and widely consumed fish species, known for its flavorful and nutritious meat. There are several kinds of tuna, each with its unique characteristics. Here are some of the most common types of tuna:

1. Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis): Skipjack is one of the most commonly caught tuna species. It is known for its relatively small size compared to other tunas, and its flesh is dark and flavorful. Skipjack is often used in canned tuna products.
2. Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares): Yellowfin tuna is larger than skipjack and is characterized by its yellow dorsal and anal fins. It has a mild flavor and is commonly used in sashimi, sushi, and grilling. Yellowfin tuna is also a popular choice for canned tuna.
3. Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus): Bigeye tuna is larger than both skipjack and yellowfin. It has a pinkish flesh and a higher fat content, which makes it prized for sashimi and sushi. Bigeye tuna is also caught for canning and as a fresh fish product.
4. Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus): Bluefin tuna is one of the largest and most sought-after tuna species. It is known for its rich, fatty flesh and is highly valued in the sushi market. Bluefin tuna is further categorized into three sub-species: Northern Bluefin, Pacific Bluefin, and Southern Bluefin.
   • Northern Bluefin (Thunnus thynnus): Found in the North Atlantic Ocean, this species is heavily overfished and has led to conservation concerns.
   • Pacific Bluefin (Thunnus orientalis): Found in the Pacific Ocean, especially in the Western and Central Pacific, this species is also heavily exploited and faces conservation challenges.
   • Southern Bluefin (Thunnus maccoyii): Found in the Southern Hemisphere, this species has also faced overfishing concerns, but there have been efforts to manage and conserve populations.
5. Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga): Albacore tuna is known for its white flesh and mild flavor. It is often used in canned tuna products, and its firm texture makes it suitable for grilling and searing.
6. Longtail Tuna (Thunnus tonggol): Longtail tuna is found in tropical and subtropical waters and is known for its long pectoral fins. It is often used for canned tuna and as fresh fish.

It’s important to note that tuna populations, especially certain species like bluefin tuna, face overfishing and conservation challenges.

❤️ Why you will love this ahi tuna marinade:

It is super flavorful and so easy to make. The finished dish is amazing with a perfect sear, it is restaurant caliber but you can have this delicious recipe at home. This is perfect for a special occasion or just your regular weekday dinner. The first time you make it you will see just how easy it is. Made with simple ingredients, it is packed full of flavor. I love an easy recipe, and this fits the bill. 

📃 Marinade Ingredients:

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a lovely caramelized flavor to the tuna

Honey: The real sweetness comes from the honey 

Coconut Aminos: See my note about this in the tips and tricks section

Sesame Oil: This is where the bulk of our flavor comes from

Furikake: Furikake is a Japanese spice blend and it adds so much delicious flavor to this dish

📖 How to make this ahi tuna marinade recipe:

Place the furikake:  sesame seed oil, honey, brown sugar, and coconut aminos and place in a medium bowl. Whisk them together to form your marinade. Meanwhile, take your ahi tuna and pat it down with a paper towel to get rid of the extra liquid.
Using either an: airtight container or a sealable plastic bag, place the ahi tuna inside. Pour the marinade in there and shake it up to make sure everything gets covered. Place in the fridge. Allow the marinade to sit for at least one hour, you can go overnight as well. 
In a large skillet:  When you are ready to fry up your fish, take 2 tablespoons of oil (I used olive but you can use canola or any oil you wish) and let it heat up for 2 minutes. Place the tuna in the hot pan and let it fry. Depending on how you want to cook your ahi tuna, will determine how long you fry it on each side. For medium you want 1.5-3 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your filet. Rare would be 1-1.5 minutes per side. Well done would be 4-5 minutes per side. 
Once the tuna is seared: Take the gorgeous ahi tuna steaks and place on a cutting board. Allow them to sit for 3-5 minutes before slicing into the seared ahi tuna. When finished, you can top with more furikake, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs (I personally like chives). 

This seared tuna steak can be served with potatoes, rice, or you can make it into a poke bowl. The best part about it is that this is an incredibly simple dish to make. 

⍰ How to store this ahi tuna marinade:

If you make just the marinade you can store it in a sealable plastic bag or an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. The tuna itself once it has been cooked, can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days in the fridge.

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Thank you so much!
Laura 

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