Golden Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Recipe: A Flavorful Seafood Delight

Sizzling and succulent, this golden sesame-crusted ahi tuna recipe promises a culinary adventure that tantalizes the taste buds.

Fresh ocean-caught tuna meets a delicate, nutty sesame coating that locks in incredible flavor.

The crisp exterior gives way to a perfectly tender, pink center that seafood lovers adore.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and rich, savory notes that transport you straight to coastal cuisine.

Quick to prepare and stunning on the plate, this dish turns an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Dive into a recipe that celebrates the luxurious simplicity of perfectly prepared ahi tuna.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Golden Sesame Ahi Tuna

• Black Sesame Seeds, White Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and visual appeal, choose fresh and evenly colored seeds for maximum flavor intensity.
• Coarse Sugar: Balances savory notes with subtle sweetness, helps create golden caramelization on tuna's surface.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste profile and helps draw out tuna's natural flavors.
• Ground Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and aromatic depth to the seasoning blend.
• Italian Seasoning: Introduces herbal complexity and Mediterranean-inspired undertones.

• Ahi Tuna: Select sushi-grade, deep-colored, firm-textured steaks with minimal white connective tissue for best results.

• Soy Sauce: Creates umami depth and helps seasoning adhere to tuna's surface.
• Cooking Oil: Ensures even searing and prevents sticking, choose high smoke-point options like avocado or grapeseed oil.

Essentials for Crusting and Searing Tuna

• Cast-iron skillet: Essential for achieving a perfect golden crust and high-heat searing.
• Paper towels: Crucial for drying the ahi tuna steaks completely before seasoning.
• Shallow plate: Perfect for mixing and coating the sesame seed mixture.
• Cooking brush: Handy for evenly applying soy sauce to the tuna.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing the tuna thinly after cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning measurements.

Cooking Steps for Sesame Ahi Tuna

• Sesame Seed Blend

Create a flavorful coating by mixing black and white sesame seeds with a hint of sweetness and savory spices. This magical mixture will transform your tuna into a restaurant-worthy dish.

• Tuna Preparation

Pat the ahi tuna dry and give it a quick bath in soy sauce. This step ensures the seasoning will cling perfectly to the fish, creating a mouthwatering exterior.

• Seed Coating

Gently press the sesame seed mixture onto the tuna, making sure every inch gets a generous covering. Think of it like giving your fish a delicious armor of flavor.

• Searing Magic

Heat up a cast-iron skillet until it’s blazing hot. Add a touch of oil and carefully place the tuna in the pan. Sear each side quickly to create a golden, crispy crust that locks in the tuna’s tender interior.

• Serving

Remove the tuna from the heat and slice into beautiful, thin pieces. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy exterior and silky smooth center.

Variations and Flavor Boosters to Try

• Sesame Seed Selection Magic: Choose a mix of black and white sesame seeds for a stunning visual contrast and deeper nutty flavor profile that elevates the tuna's taste.
• Quick Freshness Hack: Always use the freshest sushi-grade ahi tuna available, preferably from a trusted seafood market to ensure the best raw or rare center texture.
• Spice Level Adventure: Experiment with adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sesame seed coating for a subtle kick that complements the fish's rich flavor without overwhelming it.
• Serving Style Flexibility: Enjoy the tuna sliced thin over mixed greens, as a protein in poke bowls, or alongside wasabi and pickled ginger for a traditional Japanese-inspired presentation that highlights its delicate taste.
• Temperature Control Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature – aim for 125°F for medium-rare, ensuring a perfectly pink center while maintaining a crispy golden sesame crust on the outside.

Plating Ahi Tuna Like a Pro

• Tropical Island Plating: Arrange sliced golden sesame-crusted ahi tuna over a bed of coconut rice, garnished with fresh pineapple chunks and a sprinkle of green onions for a vibrant, Hawaiian-inspired presentation.
• Salad Sensation: Create a light, refreshing salad by placing thinly sliced tuna atop mixed baby greens, drizzled with a zesty wasabi-ginger vinaigrette and topped with crispy wonton strips for added crunch.
• Sushi-Style Appetizer: Transform the tuna into elegant bite-sized pieces, served on small spoons with a dollop of avocado cream and a tiny splash of ponzu sauce, perfect for elegant gatherings or cocktail parties.
• Asian Fusion Bowl: Combine the sesame-crusted tuna with quinoa, edamame, pickled cucumber, and a sesame-soy drizzle for a nutritious, colorful bowl that celebrates bold, fresh flavors.

Best Storage Methods for Leftover Tuna

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover tuna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it in the coldest part of the refrigerator for maximum freshness.
• Quick Consumption Window: Enjoy seared ahi tuna within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture, as raw-style fish loses its quality rapidly when cooked.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm tuna at low temperatures to prevent overcooking, using minimal heat to maintain its delicate texture and prevent dryness.
• Freezing Considerations: Avoid freezing seared tuna, as the cooking process and delicate texture will compromise the fish's quality and taste when thawed.

Succulent Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Golden sesame-crusted ahi tuna brings Pacific Ocean flavors to home kitchens with remarkable simplicity. Seared rare and seasoned with delicate spices, diners experience restaurant-quality seafood that delights both palate and presentation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) ahi tuna (3–4 sushi grade tuna steaks)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) black sesame seeds
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) white sesame seeds
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp coarse sugar
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano, or thyme)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) cooking oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare Coating: Mix black and white sesame seeds, coarse sugar, salt, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning in a shallow plate to create a fragrant, textured mixture.
2. Prepare Tuna: Thoroughly pat ahi tuna steaks dry, then brush both sides with soy sauce to help the sesame seed mixture adhere.
3. Coat Tuna: Press the prepared sesame seed mixture firmly onto all surfaces of the tuna, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Sear Tuna: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add cooking oil, and carefully place the sesame-crusted tuna steaks into the skillet. Sear for 45-60 seconds on each side, including edges, to develop a golden, crispy exterior while maintaining a rare to medium-rare internal temperature.
5. Serve: Remove tuna from heat, let rest momentarily, slice thinly across the grain, and serve immediately to preserve its vibrant flavor and perfect texture.

Notes

• Dry Thoroughly: Use paper towels to completely absorb moisture from tuna steaks, ensuring the sesame coating adheres perfectly and creates a crispy exterior.
• Seasoning Technique: Press sesame seed mixture firmly onto all surfaces with gentle, even pressure to create a uniform, flavorful crust that locks in the tuna’s natural juiciness.
• High-Heat Searing: Use a cast-iron skillet at medium-high temperature to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust while maintaining a rare to medium-rare center.
• Resting and Slicing: Allow tuna to rest briefly after cooking, then slice thinly across the grain to preserve maximum tenderness and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 640 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg