14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2024)

Fresh tuna may feel like a fish that's best enjoyed when ordered at a delicious sushi spot or a high-end seafood restaurant, but there's no reason why you can't cook it at home. Here, you'll find simple preparations of grilled and seared tuna that can be turned into rice bowls, skewers, or served alongside a crisp salad.

When shopping for fresh tuna, be sure to choose a responsibly-caught option (you can always ask the fishmonger at your local market or grocery store for more complete sourcing information). Ahi tuna—also known as yellowfin tuna—is the premier fresh tuna choice and you'll find it available in loins and steaks. Our recipes will always specify exactly which cut you need.

When working with good-quality fresh tuna, the key is to prepare it so that it's just cooked on the outside but still rare and fully pink-red on the inside. Fresh tuna has a very firm, meaty texture that's similar to mahi mahi or swordfish and offers a relatively mild flavor. It can also be expensive, so you'll best be able to appreciate the flavor when it is served rare.

Ahead, you'll find recipes where fresh tuna is served seared and dressed simply with sesame seeds, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Enjoy it on its own with a crisp white wine for a light, delicious meal you'll crave all summer long. Of course, we also have plenty of low-key weeknight specials that include tuna rice bowls, tuna steaks served with salads and grilled vegetables, fish skewers, and more. All of these fresh tuna recipes come together quickly—and they're guaranteed to be the start of the show whenever you prepare them.

17 Canned Tuna Recipes That Aren't Just Tuna Melts or Casseroles

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Sesame-Crusted Tuna Tataki

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It takes no time at all to put together this stunning fresh tuna dish that you can serve as an elegant appetizer or impressive main course over a bed of sticky rice. The fish is seared until it's cooked on the outside but perfectly pink on the inside.

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Seared Tuna Taco Bowl

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This weeknight-friendly fresh tuna recipe comes together in 45 minutes and is bursting with color and flavor from tuna steaks, shredded red cabbage, black beans, cilantro, and sliced watermelon radishes.

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Bluefin Tuna With Olive, Cucumber, and Cilantro Relish

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Did someone say summer dining? Seared tuna steaks are the perfect partner for this crunchy, briny relish made of olives, cucumbers, and fresh cilantro for this fresh meal that's just right to serve al fresco.

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Brown Rice With Tuna, Avocado, and Toasted Nori

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Craving sushi? Give this rice bowl a try. It's topped with all of our favorite hand-roll ingredients: seared tuna, crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, and toasted nori.

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Grilled Tuna With Mediterranean Chopped Salad

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Turn traditional Niçoise salad on its ear by tossing the potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes together and serving them alongside grilled tuna steaks. Briny Kalamata olives and umami-rich anchovies add extra oomph.

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Tuna Steaks With Lemony Tomatoes and Onion

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Sear tuna steaks just until browned on the outside but still deep-red in the center, then serve with a salad of sweet cherry tomatoes and red onion seasoned with lemon juice for an easy, colorful accompaniment.

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Seared Tuna With Tomatoes and Basil

This entrée starts by searing cubes of tuna in a hot skillet, then simmering them in a rustic sauce made from caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and basil. The dish is excellent over soft polenta or simply served with crusty bread.

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Tuna Steaks With Mint Sauce

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You'll want to try this genius trick for cooking tuna: Sprinkling salt in the skillet before cooking the prevents the fish from sticking without using oil. Here, we're serving the tuna steaks with a herby sauce of mint, garlic, lemon, and olive oil; it's similar to gremolata but with mint in place of the usual parsley.

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Seared Tuna Steaks With Sesame Oil

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Rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil seasoned with grated ginger and sliced scallions make a quick and tasty sauce for eggplant and seared tuna steaks. Steaming followed by sautéing makes the eggplant tender and delicious.

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Grilled Tuna Skewers

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Cubes of yellowfin tuna absorb the bright flavors of lime juice and cilantro in a quick marinade before hitting the grill. This healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

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Tuna With Orange-Pepper Salsa

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Create a fresh, flavorful salsa with navel oranges, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh mint, then spoon over coriander-spiced grilled tuna steaks for a sublime supper.

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Tuna Cakes With Arugula-Tomato Salad

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Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple recipe is ideal for last-minute weeknight dinners. Serve the tuna cakes and salad side by side or enjoy both in a wrap or sandwich.

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Sesame Seared Tuna With Ginger-Carrot Dipping Sauce

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Black and white sesame seeds give fresh tuna a crunchy and satisfying coating. Serve with a toasty, salty-sweet dipping sauce made of mirin, white miso, carrot juice, and ginger.

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Rosemary Tuna With White Beans

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Fresh herbs and earthy kale come together in this easy fresh tuna recipe. The combo is paired with canned white beans, creating a filling and fiber-rich dish.

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14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when tuna is gassed? ›

Carbon monoxide treated fish, (aka tasteless smoke, filtered wood smoke, CO treated) refers to a process by which tuna loins are treated with the gas to prevent oxidation and thereby alter the cosmetic appearance of the meat.

Are tuna steaks supposed to 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.

What seasoning is good for tuna? ›

Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor. Organic Black Malabar Pepper: A classic pairing for a simple seared tuna steak. Organic coriander Powder: Offers a lemony, floral note, excellent for an exotic twist.

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

directions. Combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

How do you jazz up canned tuna? ›

Start by doctoring up a can of tuna with mayonnaise, lemon, and cilantro—think spicy tuna with the spice on the side. Then add rice and crunchy seasoned carrots and cucumber for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Serve with your favorite condiments such as soy and hot chili sauce.

What can I mix with tuna besides mayo? ›

Greek yogurt is the perfect mayonnaise substitute for tuna. It's rich and creamy while being lower in fat! You can substitute yogurt for mayo in tuna salad with a 1:1 ratio. Just make sure to use unsweetened, plain yogurt.

Why should you rinse canned tuna? ›

Canned foods in particular usually contain high levels of sodium. One way to reduce your salt intake with canned food, like tuna for example, is washing. Studies show that rinsing reduces the amount of sodium in canned tuna by 80%.

Why not drain canned tuna? ›

Not all tuna cans say this - but those that do are often prepared in a way that the liquid is from the meat. If you drain, you'll be left with a very dry meat. Mixing it will allow the meat to reabsorb all of the moisture. Quite a bit of flavor is in this liquid, as is many nutrients.

What color is bad raw tuna? ›

Here are some tips to help you tell if raw tuna is not fresh and should not be eaten: Look: Fresh tuna should be a vibrant red color throughout. Avoid tuna that looks dull, grayish, or brownish. Smell: Fresh tuna should have a mild, fresh ocean-like scent.

Why is tuna steak so expensive? ›

The larger the fish, the more expensive it becomes, not only due to its sheer size but also because older tuna tend to have better flavor and texture. Handling and Transportation: Such large fish require specialized handling and rapid transportation to preserve quality.

What is the best method of cooking tuna? ›

The trick to cooking tuna steak perfectly is a screaming hot skillet so you can sear the outside nicely while keeping the inside raw. It has to be super-hot because it's only on the stove for 2 1/2 minutes!

Can dogs have tuna? ›

Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.

How do you eat tuna if you don't like the taste? ›

Good quality tuna-wthout oil— should not taste very fishy, but you can put into a dish, flake it out and pour over it some good quality olive oil. Let it rest a while and then make tuna salad with plenty of chopped celery, olives and red onion.

How do you make canned tuna not taste bad? ›

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is an easy starting point. Fresh citrus does double duty when it comes to improving canned tuna. Not only does it brighten up the blandness, but it also helps counteract some of the brininess tuna is known for. Hot sauce is another way to inject some life into your fish.

What is good to mix with tuna other than mayo? ›

Greek yogurt: I use Greek yogurt rather than mayonnaise, to make this wonderfully creamy. Greek yogurt is also a great source of protein and probiotics. Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a wonderful zingy taste that cuts through the yogurt.

What is the most delicious part of the tuna? ›

The most delicious and the most expensive is the Otoro, the part located under the belly and near the gills of the fish. This is the fattest part of the meat, which is loved by diners. Chutoro is the belly of a tuna located at the back of the tail.

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