Name: Seared Ahi Tuna Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces Ahi Tuna steak (½-pound (230 grams), thawed if frozen); ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds; 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 2.6 ounces asparagus (0.16 pound (75 grams)); 1 avocado; 5 ounces arugula (1 bag (142 grams)); 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce ((see note)); 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1½ teaspoons sesame oil; ¼-½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger; ½ lime (juiced); 1 tablespoon honey; Wasabi (optional)

I love cooking this seared ahi tuna recipe when I’m craving sushi or a nice seafood dinner at home. It’s so easy and quick to make, but it feels like a gourmet-level meal! Sushi-grade yellowfin tuna steaks are coated in Dijon mustard and sesame seeds, then briefly pan-seared. I love to slice up this sesame crusted ahi tuna, then serve it atop an asparagus and arugula salad, sushi bowl, or poke bowl.

overhead view of a plate of seared ahi tuna steaks, coated in sesame seeds and sliced thinly.

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Ingredients for this Ahi Tuna Steak recipe

You only need 3 ingredients to make these pan-seared, sesame-crusted ahi tuna steaks! This is such a simple and straightforward how-to, but it makes such a beautiful, restaurant-level seafood dish.

Ahi Tuna: Use 8 ounce yellow-fin steaks. I highly recommend that you get the best quality (sushi-grade) tuna you can for this dish, because it’s only cooked briefly. Fresh or flash-frozen both work, but thaw it first if frozen.
Dijon Mustard: This is spread all over the steaks to flavor the tuna, and it helps the sesame seeds to stick, creating a nice coating.
Sesame Seeds: I used a mix of white and black sesame seeds for the crust. They add a nice texture and savory flavor.

Should I marinate ahi tuna before searing?

Marinating is not necessary, and I usually don’t when I’m cooking ahi tuna. But if you’d like to, you can whip up a marinade with soy sauce, oil, and any seasonings or ingredients you like, to infuse it with more flavor. Some things you could include in the marinade are ginger, sambal oelek, cayenne pepper, wasabi, or garlic.

Submerge the tuna steaks and marinate anywhere from 15 minutes (right before searing) to 8 hours (overnight). You can also use it as a glaze or dipping sauce for serving.

slices of sesame crusted ahi tuna on a white plate.

How to Store and Reheat

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.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe for ahi tuna steaks makes a great main dish to serve along with greens and veggies (like this Asian cucumber salad), or as part of a sushi plate. I’ve included a green salad in the recipe card with arugula, asparagus, avocado, and wasabi for you to try if you need some serving ideas.

You can also slice up the seared tuna and use it to make tuna poke bowls or sushi bowls. Add white rice, pickled beets, and fresh greens. Then drizzle with soy sauce or hot chili oil, add sliced green onions and more sesame seeds, or anything you like.

slices of seared ahi tuna on a plate of salad.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

What’s the secret to cooking perfect, pan-seared ahi tuna? The skillet you’re cooking it in must be very hot! We want the tuna to be close to raw when it’s done, but we still want a nice seared crust on the outside. So high heat is the answer.

Let your skillet fully heat up over medium-high/high heat before adding the steaks. I recommend using a cast iron skillet for searing, because it holds heat really well and evenly.

5-Star Review

“So easy and so delicious!!!! My husband was licking the plate after!” — Lacey

How to Sear Ahi Tuna Step by Step

Prepare Tuna Steaks: Preheat a large skillet over high heat. Meanwhile, season 8 ounces of yellowfin tuna steaks with ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard all over.

two raw tuna steaks coated in Dijon mustard, set on a white plate.

Coat Tuna: Combine 1 tablespoon of white sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of black sesame seeds on a shallow plate, then gently press the tuna steaks into seeds to coat on all sides.

An ahi tuna steak coated in black and white sesame seeds.

Sear Ahi Tuna: Place the sesame crusted tuna steaks in the skillet as soon as it gets very hot. Cook on one side for 1-1½ minutes, just to lightly sear. Then flip or turn the steaks as needed, to continue searing each side for about 45-60 seconds each. Make sure you sear all sides.

Transfer to a cutting board, let the tuna rest for a minute, then slice and serve.

overhead view of a plate of ahi tuna steaks, coated in sesame seeds and sliced thinly.

What is the best tuna for seared ahi tuna?

You should always use fresh or flash-frozen, sushi-grade ahi (yellowfin) tuna.

Is it safe to eat raw tuna?

Yes! So long as the tuna smells sweet and not fishy, is fresh or flash-frozen, and is sushi-grade, it is perfectly safe to eat raw. If your local grocery store sells sushi, they will likely carry sushi-grade yellowfin.

What does seared ahi tuna taste like?

Seared ahi tuna tastes mild and slightly sweet. It should not taste fishy. It will have a firm, buttery texture.

Is seared ahi tuna healthy?

Ahi tuna contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce cholesterol and improve heart health. It does, however, also contain small amounts of mercury, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

How long does it take to sear ahi tuna steaks?

Searing is a very quick process. You only need to cook each side about 1 1/2 minutes (for 1-2 inch thick steaks). Since yellowfin is safe to eat raw, you don’t have to worry about undercooking, but you don’t want to overcook.