Description
This quick and impressive recipe features ahi tuna steaks marinated briefly in a flavorful gochujang-sesame sauce, then seared quickly at high heat to achieve a crispy exterior and tender, rare center.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ahi tuna steaks (approx. 12–14 oz total)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or grapeseed)
- Toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onion (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate Tuna: Pat tuna steaks completely dry. In a shallow dish, whisk together soy sauce, 2 tsp sesame oil, 2 tsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp gochujang. Marinate tuna for 15-20 minutes at room temperature, turning to coat.
- Prepare Glaze: While tuna marinates, combine remaining sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, gochujang, and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk cornstarch and cold water in a separate bowl to create a slurry, then add to saucepan, stirring constantly until thickened (1-2 minutes). Set aside.
- Sear Tuna: Remove tuna from marinade and pat dry again. Heat neutral oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over high heat until shimmering/smoking. Sear tuna steaks for 60-90 seconds per side for rare to medium-rare, creating a crust.
- Slice and Serve: Let the seared tuna rest for 2 minutes on a cutting board. Slice against the grain into 1 cm pieces. Arrange on plates, drizzle with warm glaze, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.
Notes
For a crispy crust, ensure the tuna steaks are completely dry before searing. Do not marinate for longer than 20 minutes to prevent the fish from curing. Use high heat and a heavy-bottomed pan for the best sear.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: ahi tuna, seared tuna, gochujang recipe, high-protein meal, healthy dinner, quick recipe, weeknight dinner, Asian cuisine