Zesty Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak Recipe – Fresh & Flavorful

Crispy sesame crusted tuna steak promises a culinary adventure that sparkles with Pacific ocean freshness.

Elegant marine flavors dance through this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Nutty sesame seeds create a remarkable golden-brown coating that adds delightful crunch.

Professional chefs adore this quick recipe because it delivers restaurant-quality results in minutes.

Salt and pepper enhance the fish’s natural richness without overwhelming its delicate texture.

Light searing technique helps maintain the tuna’s tender interior while building a perfect exterior crispness.

You can master this restaurant-style plate faster than ordering takeout – trust me, it’s that straightforward.

Why Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak Is A Must-Try

• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this tuna steak delivers a healthy punch for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious eaters.
• Elevate Home Cooking: Transform your kitchen into a gourmet restaurant with professional-level techniques that impress family and guests without requiring advanced culinary skills.
• Quick Flavor Adventure: Marinaded and crusted with sesame seeds, this recipe brings exciting Asian-inspired flavors in a super-fast cooking process that takes minimal preparation time.
• Restaurant-Quality Presentation: Create a visually stunning dish with golden sesame seeds and perfectly seared tuna that looks like it came straight from a high-end seafood restaurant.

What You’ll Need For Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak

• Tuna Steak: Fresh, high-quality fish with a rich, meaty texture perfect for searing.

• Soy Sauce, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice: Create a flavorful liquid base that enhances the tuna's natural taste and adds moisture.
• Grated Ginger, Garlic Powder: Provide aromatic and zesty undertones to the marinade.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and intensify the overall flavor profile.

• White Sesame Seeds, Black Sesame Seeds: Provide a nutty coating that adds crunch and visual appeal to the tuna steak.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for creating a hot, even surface to sear the tuna and achieve a golden sesame seed crust.

• Lemon Wedges, Extra Soy Sauce: Serve as complementary condiments to enhance the final dish's flavor and presentation.

How To Make Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak

Step 1: Prepare Marinade Magic

Whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, grated ginger, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Place tuna steaks in the marinade and let them soak up the flavors for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Create Sesame Coating

Spread white and black sesame seeds on a separate plate, creating a crunchy seed mix.

Step 3: Coat Tuna in Sesame Crunch

Carefully remove tuna steaks from marinade, letting excess drip off.

Roll each steak in the sesame seed mixture, gently pressing to ensure seeds stick firmly to all sides.

Step 4: Sear to Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place sesame-coated tuna steaks in the hot pan. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until sesame seeds turn golden brown.

Cook to your preferred doneness, with rare to medium-rare being the most recommended for tuna.

Step 5: Rest and Slice

Transfer tuna steaks from the pan and let them rest for a minute.

This helps the juices redistribute and ensures maximum flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the tuna steaks and plate immediately.

Optionally, add lemon wedges and extra soy sauce on the side for those who want an extra flavor boost.

Smart Tips For Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak

• Ensure tuna steaks are completely dry before marinating to help the sesame seeds stick perfectly and achieve a crispy crust.
• Choose fresh, high-quality tuna for the best flavor and texture, preferably sushi-grade if eating rare.
• Mix different types of sesame seeds for a more interesting visual and textural contrast in the coating.
• Sear quickly on high heat to maintain the tuna's tender, rare center while creating a golden, crispy sesame seed exterior.
• Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the optimal temperature and texture of the perfectly seared tuna steak.

Try These Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak Swaps

• Asian Fusion Tuna: Swap soy sauce with teriyaki glaze, add wasabi powder to sesame seeds for extra kick, and serve with quick pickled cucumber ribbons.
• Mediterranean Style: Replace olive oil with herb-infused oil, coat with mixed white and black sesame seeds, add za'atar spice blend, and serve alongside couscous.
• Spicy Hawaiian Tuna: Mix cayenne pepper into sesame seed coating, use pineapple juice in marinade, garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
• Citrus Herb Crusted: Incorporate lemon zest and chopped fresh herbs like parsley and thyme into sesame seed mixture, use orange juice in marinade for bright flavor profile.

Perfect Pairings For Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak Pairings
• – Crisp White Wine Companion: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio with bright citrus notes that complement the tuna's delicate flavor and cut through the richness of sesame seeds.
• – Asian-Inspired Side Kick: Serve alongside a light cucumber wakame salad with rice vinegar dressing, creating a refreshing counterpoint to the seared tuna's robust seasoning.
• – Wasabi Zinger Condiment: Prepare a quick wasabi aioli or wasabi mayo for dipping, delivering a spicy kick that enhances the sesame crust and brings out the tuna's fresh marine taste.

Store Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak The Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover tuna steak in an airtight container, placing it in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Freezing: Wrap individual tuna steaks tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating (Skillet): Gently warm the tuna steak in a lightly oiled skillet over low heat for 30-60 seconds per side. Avoid overcooking to maintain the delicate texture and prevent dryness.

FAQs About Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak

• Can I use other types of seeds for the crust?

Yes, you can substitute sesame seeds with other seeds like poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, or even crushed nuts for a different texture and flavor profile.

• How do I know when the tuna is perfectly cooked?

Tuna is best served rare to medium-rare. The exterior should be golden and crispy from searing, while the inside remains pink and tender. Avoid overcooking to prevent the fish from becoming dry and tough.

• What if I don't have fresh ginger?

If fresh ginger is unavailable, you can use ground ginger powder or replace it with a small amount of ginger paste. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Sesame crusted tuna steak brings Pacific ocean flavors to dinner plates with restaurant-quality elegance. Crisp sesame seeds create perfect golden exterior while preserving tender, ruby-red fish center you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 tuna steaks (approximately 200 grams or 7 ounces each)

Sesame Seeds:

• 1/4 cup white sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup black sesame seeds

Seasonings and Marinades:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for searing)

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Instructions

1. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry tuna steaks, ensuring a crisp exterior during cooking.
2. Combine soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, ginger, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish to create a fragrant marinade.
3. Submerge tuna steaks in marinade, allowing them to absorb flavors for 15 minutes at room temperature.
4. Prepare a separate plate with a mixture of white and black sesame seeds for coating.
5. Drain tuna steaks from marinade, gently shaking off excess liquid to prevent seed coating from becoming soggy.
6. Press sesame seeds firmly onto all surfaces of each tuna steak, creating an even, crunchy crust.
7. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and reaches approximately 400°F.
8. Carefully place sesame-crusted tuna steaks into hot skillet, searing for 1-2 minutes per side to achieve golden seeds and rare to medium-rare interior.
9. Transfer seared tuna to a clean plate, allowing brief resting time to help retain juices.
10. Slice tuna against the grain and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and optional soy sauce for additional seasoning.

Notes

• Ensure tuna steaks are patted completely dry to help sesame seeds stick perfectly and create a crispy golden crust.
• Use fresh, high-quality sushi-grade tuna for the best flavor and safe raw or rare consumption, especially when searing quickly.
• Adjust cooking time based on thickness of tuna steak and desired doneness, remembering that brief searing maintains the fish’s delicate texture and prevents overcooking.
• For gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, which provide similar umami flavor without wheat content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 60mg