Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

5 from 1 vote

Mar 07, 2022, Updated Jan 05, 2024

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Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe (2)

Pan-seared ahi tuna has always been one of my favorite seafood dishes. My recipe features a sesame-crusted ahi tuna steak (yellowfin or bigeye) that is crispy on the outside and raw in the middle. If you’re a sushi lover, this recipe is absolutely for you.

I like to serve pan-seared tuna over jasmine or brown rice and top it with both spicy cilantro-lime aioli and soy sauce. It’s a fresh and flavorful dish (or poke bowl if you will) you won’t forget. While this feels like an elegant dish, it’s one of the easiest recipes to pull off! Assuming you have access to quality fresh tuna from a trusted source, this recipe will cycle on repeat.

While this recipe works nicely over plain recipe for a sushi bowl experience, you can also serve it with a side of simple fried rice and crab rangoons for a medly of flavors. If you want to mix in beef, check out my beef and broccoli recipe!

Table of Contents

  • How to Pan Sear Ahi Tuna
  • How to Slice Ahi Tuna
  • What to Look for When Buying Fresh Tuna
  • Spicy Cilantro Lime Aioli
  • More Recipes You’ll Love
  • Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe

How to Pan Sear Ahi Tuna

Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe (3)

Pan searing tuna is really easy. I use a cast-iron skillet, a little canola oil, and medium-high heat. For the perfect rare tuna, sear both sides for approximately 90 seconds in a hot skillet. Remove from the heat and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

If you prefer tuna that is more cooked through with a slightly pink center, sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Just to note, cooking oil at high temps tends to get smokey. Be prepared to open a window or use your range hood to control the smoke.

How to Slice Ahi Tuna

Ahi Tuna is best sliced against the grain for optimal tenderness, especially if consumed raw or rare. Look for the natural lines/grain that runs through the fish prior to cooking and cut across the grain. This ensures your slices easily tear apart and melt in your mouth. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.

What to Look for When Buying Fresh Tuna

Both bigeye and yellowfin tuna fall under the “Ahi” tuna nomenclature. Yellowfin tuna tends to be dark red (almost maroon), whereas bigeye tuna is more red/pink. Regardless, look for tuna that is vibrant in color and slightly shiny. Tuna that appears dull, matte, or browning is likely not as fresh. Color is not always going to be an indicator of freshness, but hopefully, it points you in the right direction.

Fresh tuna should smell like salty ocean air and virtually have no smell at all. Any offputting aromas are a bad sign. Always buy from trusted sources. I’m really lucky to live right on the coast and have access to ultra-fresh seafood. I bought the pictured piece from Mullaney’s in Scituate, MA.

Spicy Cilantro Lime Aioli

Seared ahi tuna is really good drizzled with soy sauce, however, if you’re looking for additional flavor and texture, try pairing it with my cilantro lime aioli. My aioli is a mix of mayonnaise, jalapeno, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, and fresh cilantro. It’s a medley of fresh flavors that pairs beautifully with raw fish. Combine all ingredients in any sort of blender you own and blend until smooth and creamy.

You can omit the jalapeno if you aren’t a fan of heat! Full disclosure, it’s pretty mild with the mayo.

Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe (4)

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5 from 1 vote

Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 2

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Save

Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe (9)

Sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna that is pan-seared and served rare over a bed of rice. Garnished with homemade spicy cilantro-lime aioli and soy sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 6-8 ounce yellowfin or bigeye tuna filets, roughly 3/4- 1 inch thick
  • Jasmine or brown rice, 2 servings or 3/4 cup dry
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, for cooking
  • Low sodium soy sauce, for serving
  • Sliced jalapeno, for serving
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Cilantro Lime Aioli

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 lime, juice squeezed and zested
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, stems included
  • half a jalapeno, cored and seeds removed (optional)
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Combine all aioli ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Let rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Aioli can be made ahead of time. Prepare rice according to the instructions on the package.

  • Season tuna all over with salt and pepper. Place sesame seeds on a plate and mix to combine. Press filets into the seeds until completely covered. If it’s easier, you can also sprinkle filets all over with sesame seeds. I like to liberally cover.

  • Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Let the pan become hot before proceeding. Place filets face down and sear for 90 seconds. Flip and sear for an additional 90 seconds. For tuna that is pink in the center and more cooked through, sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and set on a cutting board to rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

  • Slice filets against the natural grain and serve over rice drizzled with soy sauce and aioli. Garnish with jalapeno slices and lime wedges.

Notes

Tuna will be very rare/raw in the middle if prepared as outlined above. If you prefer a slightly pink center, sear for 2-4 minutes per side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1filet with aioli, no riceCalories: 529kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 57gFat: 27.9gSaturated Fat: 3.8gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 885mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 2.1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna with Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook ahi tuna? ›

just brush each piece of tuna with egg whites before you add the sesame seeds. add a few tablespoons of oil to a pan over medium heat. let that pan get hot. add the tuna, let it cook for a minute and flip and then cook for 1min more.

How long does it take to sear ahi tuna? ›

Place the tuna steaks in the pan and sear for about 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes on each side.
  1. Timing will vary based on thickness, preference, and your burner.
  2. Estimated sear time on each side based on doneness: 30 seconds for very rare, 1 minute for medium rare, 1 ½ to 2 minutes for medium-well to well.
Aug 6, 2021

Should I rinse ahi tuna before cooking? ›

You remove them from the packaging and give them a good rinse in cold water before drying them with paper towels and, say, searing your tuna with olives and capers.

How long does seared ahi tuna last in the fridge? ›

Seared ahi tuna, as with all raw fish, is best consumed on the day it is cooked. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. I do not recommend freezing it.

Should seared ahi tuna be room temperature before cooking? ›

At a minimum, you'll want to remove them from the refrigerator 20 minutes before you're going to toss them in the pan or on the grill.

Should seared tuna be raw in the middle? ›

If you're wondering if tuna steak should be raw in the middle, the short answer is YES. A properly cooked tuna steak should be seared on the outside but raw on the inside.

What is the best oil to sear ahi tuna? ›

Peanut oil adds great flavor. The goal here is to get a nice golden crust on all sides without cooking the ahi tuna all the way through. HOT PAN is key. Basically, the pan needs to be hot enough to get the crust golden in 60-90 seconds, otherwise you'll likely overcook the inside of the fish.

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.

What is the best pan to sear tuna in? ›

To get a quality sear, you need high heat. A cast-iron or other heavy-bottomed pan will provide enough heat capacity to sear a tuna steak, and a light skiff of high smoke-point oil on the surface will enhance heat transfer from the pan to the fish while also preventing sticking.

How do you know when ahi tuna is done? ›

Sear and Cook the Tuna

Leave that side down for 1-2 minutes until browned and crispy. Then, flip to the other side and sear for another 1-2 minutes. Now, you can pull it off the grill or continue to cook it to your desired doneness level. Shoot for an internal temperature of at least 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should ahi tuna be pink in the middle? ›

Just like a beef steak, tuna steak can be served from extremely rare to well done. Consider cooking times depending on how you prefer your tuna to be served. The centre of the steak should still be pink – be careful not to overcook it or the fish will be dry.

Is ahi tuna OK raw? ›

Cooking tuna is the best way to get rid of parasites and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. However, it is still safe to eat raw tuna. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends freezing raw tuna in one of the following ways to remove parasites: Freeze at -20 °C or lower for 7 days Frozen at -35°C or below.

How do you know if tuna has gone bad? ›

Now that you know what fresh fish should look and smell like, you'll be better equipped to sniff out spoiled fish. "If it smells pungently fishy and putrid (and doesn't make you want to eat it!), trust your nose. Its texture may also become slimy, less firm and more mushy, and it may turn gray. Shine is fine.

Can you eat seared ahi the next day? ›

You can safely eat the fish the next day. You can refrigerate leftover raw fish in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. It's best not to freeze leftovers, because it'll change the texture.

What pairs well with ahi tuna? ›

The best side dishes to serve with seared tuna are grilled asparagus, mango salsa, quinoa salad, garlic mashed potatoes, bok choy, cucumber salad, edamame ,sauteed spinach with garlic, risotto, and roasted vegetables.

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.

Should you fully cook ahi tuna? ›

Ahi Tuna is typically served in sushi or Asian inspired dishes, but don't worry- there are plenty of ways to enjoy this fish. Typically, you want to under cook just a little bit as the flavor and texture are more desirable that way.

How to cook tuna steak in pan jamie oliver? ›

Rub your pan, which should be very, very hot, with a little bit of oil on a piece of kitchen paper, then put in the tuna. What you want to do is sear the tuna so that it toasts, fries and browns (about 45–60 seconds on each side).

Is ahi tuna raw or seared? ›

Ahi tuna, also known as yellow-fin, is moist, supple and best served when lightly seared on the outside, leaving the inside tender and downright raw in the middle. Because the fish should be raw, not rare, you must start with the very best, sushi-grade ahi.

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