Grilled Ahi Tuna Steak Recipe
With just a handful of ingredients, you can have this truly restaurant-quality Grilled Ahi Tuna Steak, and a marinated tomato and arugula salad to serve with it, on the table in no time.
“I recently came by some fresh tuna at Sam’s Club where I shop, and I tried your recipe and loved it. Thanks.”
—Cleveon
Easy Ahi Tuna Steak Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious way to grill ahi tuna steaks, this recipe will be perfect for you. With just a handful of ingredients needed to make both the tuna steak and a marinated tomato and arugula side salad to serve with it, you’ll have a truly restaurant-quality meal on the table in no time.
This recipe calls for seasoning the tuna very simply, and grilling it very briefly, so that the rich, luxurious taste of the yellowfin tuna steak will be the star of the plate.
I’ll teach you exactly how and how long to grill the tuna so it’s perfect. We’ll also make a peppery arugula salad with marinated tomatoes and shallots that offers a bright taste to balance the tuna.
Let’s dive into this simple yet special recipe that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Why you’ll love Grilled Yellowfin Tuna Steak
- It’s a lean source of protein that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- The mild flavor is appealing to a wide variety of eaters, and makes it easy to pair with various sides.
- The quick cooking time allows you to have a restaurant-quality meal ready in minutes.
Ahi Tuna Steak ingredients
- yellowfin tuna steaks – the star of the dish! Make sure they are labeled as “sashimi grade” so that you can cook them nice and rare.
- arugula – to make a side salad to serve with the ahi tuna steak recipe. The peppery bite of the arugula is a nice balance for the rich tuna.
- grape tomatoes – for the salad.
- shallot – adds mild, sweet onion flavor to the salad.
- olive oil – used for rubbing the tuna and making the dressing for the salad.
- orange juice – the main component of the dressing for the salad.
- Dijon mustard – emulsifies the orange juice and oil for the salad dressing.
- salt and pepper – seasons the salad and the tuna.
- red pepper flakes – adds a hint of heat to the salad.
- avocado – an optional addition for serving.
How to make Grilled Tuna Steak
1. DRESSING. Whisk the orange juice, mustard, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes together in a large bowl, then whisk in some olive oil.
2. TOSS. Add the shallots and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine.
3. PREP TUNA. Preheat the grill. Brush the tuna steaks with oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
4. GRILL. Transfer the steaks to a hot grill rack and grill until seared (see below under “How long to cook tuna steak on grill” for exact timing).
5. REST. Transfer the steaks to a plate or baking pan and allow them to rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
6. FINISH SALAD. Add the arugula to the tomato mixture and toss until combined.
7. SERVE. Serve the tuna steaks with the salad, and the avocado, if desired.
How long to cook tuna steak on grill
The cooking time for tuna steak can depend on your grill and the thickness of the steaks. For a typical 1-inch thick tuna steak, you’re looking at 2 to 3 minutes for rare to medium-rare.
Start by cooking them just 30 to 45 seconds or until they are seared. Rotate the steaks 90 degrees and again cook until just seared.
Flip the steaks and cook until just seared on that side. Rotate the steaks 90 degrees and again cook until just seared.
If you prefer your tuna more done, increase the cooking time to 4 to 5 minutes total.
Grilled Tuna Steak Recipe Home Chef Tips
- For those perfect grill marks, avoid moving the tuna steaks around too much. Place them on the grill in one confident movement, and only rotate them and flip them as instructed below.
- Allowing the steaks to rest for a few minutes after grilling is important, as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and flavorful tuna steak.
How to serve Yellowfin Tuna Steak
Grilled tuna steak pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Along with the green salad it’s served with in the recipe card below, you can round out your meal with things like:
Storing Grilled Tuna Steak
If you have leftovers, transfer the tuna steak and salad to separate storage containers and place them in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until they are fully chilled, then cover them with the lid and keep in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
Grilled Ahi Tuna Steak Recipe FAQs
Rinsing ahi tuna steak before cooking is not necessary. Pat it dry with paper towel before oiling and seasoning, and you’re good to go.
Yes, if you purchase sashimi/sushi-grade tuna from a reputable source, it can be eaten rare.
Ahi tuna is a specific type of tuna, which is also called yellowfin or bigeye tuna. But tuna steaks can come from a variety of other types of tuna, including albacore, bluefin and others. The term “ahi” often refers to high-quality sushi-grade tuna that’s commonly used in recipes like this one.
Yellowfin Tuna Steak
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon plus pinch kosher salt divided
- ¾ teaspoon plus pinch ground black pepper divided
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 3 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 small shallot thinly sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 4 sashimi-grade yellowfin tuna steaks
- 1 package baby arugula 5 ounces
- 1 avocado sliced, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In large bowl, whisk together orange juice, mustard, and one pinch each salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. While whisking, drizzle in 2 tablespoons oil.
- Add shallot and tomatoes to bowl, toss to combine.
- Preheat grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat. Brush tuna steaks with remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons oil, and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- For rare to medium-rare tuna: Transfer steaks to hot grill rack. Cook 30 to 45 seconds or until they are seared. Rotate the steaks 90 degrees and again cook until just seared. Flip the steaks and cook until just seared on that side. Rotate the steaks 90 degrees and again cook until just seared.
- Transfer steaks to plate or rimmed baking pan and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Add arugula to tomato mixture; toss to combine.
- Serve tuna steaks with salad, and avocado, if desired.
