Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks

Name: Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 ahi tuna steaks (about 1.5-inch thick (thawed, if using frozen)); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil; 1 tablespoon mirin; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup black and white sesame seeds; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

by Katerina Petrovska

5 from 9 votes

Apr 11, 2022, Updated Oct 05, 2023

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Sometimes, the most luxurious foods are the easiest! This recipe for Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks makes the best seared tuna ever. Easy, light, and packed with umami flavor, they come together in about 15 minutes flat.

Sliced pan seared sesame crusted tuna steak and served on a black dinner plate with a side of asparagus and soy sauce in a bowl for dipping.

Tuna Steaks Recipe

Tuna steaks are a nice protein option that’s a little out of the ordinary and easy to work with. Whether you’re avoiding meat or just trying to shake things up a bit, you won’t be disappointed with this restaurant-style ahi tuna recipe!

Encrusting the tuna with sesame seeds adds a delicious Asian flair, protects the meat during searing, and adds a nutty flavor as the seeds toast. This method also works well with other fish, such as swordfish and mahi mahi.

What Is Ahi Tuna?

“Ahi” tuna can mean both yellowfin or bigeye tuna, although it most commonly refers to yellowfin. Ahi is quality, sushi-grade tuna, which is a must when searing tuna steaks. This is what you’ll want to use in this recipe for food safety and quality. In this recipe, marinated ahi tuna is topped with a sesame seed crust, which is a match made in foodie heaven! Plus, a bit of extra marinade makes the best dipping sauce.

up close shot of a tuna steak cut into slices.

Tuna Steaks Ingredients

These sesame-crusted tuna steaks only take a short time to pull together, but the flavor combination is pretty amazing. Here’s what you’ll need to make flavor-packed seared tuna in your own kitchen.

Tuna Steaks: Ahi tuna steaks are the star of this dish. They should be about 1.5-inch thick. If using frozen steaks, thaw them first in the fridge.
Oil: Vegetable oil, or any high-heat cooking oil that you prefer.
Soy Sauce: I like low-sodium soy sauce, but regular soy sauce, tamari, and coconut aminos are all fine, too.
Sesame Oil: Sesame seed oil is super fragrant and adds so much flavor!
Mirin: You can also use dry sherry.
Honey: A small amount of your favorite honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
Vinegar: Rice vinegar is a delicate vinegar that’s just right to balance the other flavors.
Salt: To taste.
Sesame Seeds: For the crust. Using both black and white sesame seeds makes the finished dish look amazing!
Seasonings: A combination of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper adds oomph to the sesame seed crust.

How To Cook Tuna Steaks

It’s hard to stress this enough, but really, making restaurant-style tuna steaks is so simple! With just a few steps, you’ll be on your way to a mouthwatering dish that will surely be a big hit.

raw tuna steak topped with black and white sesame seeds. — Make the crust mixture.

cooking two Sesame Crusted Tuna Steaks in a black cast iron skillet. — Make the crust mixture.

Prep the Tuna Steaks. First, pat the tuna steaks dry with clean paper towels. Discard the paper towels, and place the steaks in a large plastic zip-top bag.
Make the Marinade. Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Pour half of the marinade into a small jar or small airtight container (this will be your dipping sauce), then pour the rest of the marinade into the plastic bag with the tuna.
Marinate. Close the bag and massage the liquid around to coat the tuna steaks. Let it stand for 10 minutes (or refrigerate overnight, if that works better).
Make the Crust Mixture. Combine the sesame seeds, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle all sides of the tuna steaks with the sesame seed mixture, and press it down to make it stick to the tuna.
Sear. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Pour in a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil, and allow that to heat. Next, gently place the tuna steaks in the pan, pressing them down with a metal spatula. Cook for about 1 to 1½ minutes for rare, or 2 minutes for medium-rare. (I suggest cooking two tuna steaks at a time.) Using tongs, sear the sides of the steaks for about 20 to 30 seconds per side, while holding the fish with the tongs.
Cool and Serve. Once the tuna steaks are seared on all sides, move them to a cutting board and let them rest for about 3 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve with the reserved marinade for dipping.

side shot of freshly cooked Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak set on a cutting board and cut through.

Recipe Tips

To sear the tuna without overcooking the interior, you’ll want your pan hot enough to sear one side in just seconds. Ahi tuna steaks should be rare or medium-rare, and overcooking them can make them dry, chewy, and hard to swallow.
Cooking time depends on the thickness of your tuna steaks. A thicker steak will take longer to cook. For medium-rare, you want an internal temperature of around 125˚F. Use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check for doneness.
For the best tuna steaks, you’ll want top-quality tuna. Good tuna doesn’t smell like fish, but simply like fresh saltwater. It will also have moist flesh, and it should not be slimy.
Let the tuna rest for a few minutes after searing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Use a high-smoke-point oil, like vegetable oil or avocado oil, to prevent smoking and ensure a perfect sear.

close up shot of sliced sesame crusted tuna steak served on a black dinner plate.

Serving Suggestions

Asian Noodles: Try these bold teriyaki noodles alongside your tuna steaks for a unique meal full of pan-Asian flavor.
Cucumber Salad: Simple sesame cucumber salad is ultra-fresh, and echoes the delicious sesame oil in the tuna marinade.
Crispy Potatoes: Crispy and cheesy, these crispy Parmesan smashed potatoes go really well with fish.

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How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

To store your leftover tuna steaks, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve cold or gently reheated.
To reheat, saute them in a covered skillet over low heat until warmed, but do not overcook.
To freeze your leftover tuna steaks, keep them in an airtight container, freezer bags, or aluminum foil inside the freezer. Consume within 3 months for best quality. Make sure to thaw in the fridge before serving or reheating.

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