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Seared Ahi Tuna

Restaurant-quality sesame-crusted ahi tuna seared in a blazing-hot skillet and served rare with a bright soy-ginger dipping sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Tuna
  • 1.5 pounds sushi-grade ahi tuna steaks about 1 inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • 3 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for searing
Dipping Sauce
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1 green onion thinly sliced

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, grated ginger, and honey until blended, then stir in sliced green onion; set aside.
  2. Remove tuna from the refrigerator 15–20 minutes before cooking and pat completely dry with paper towels.
  3. Brush tuna steaks on all sides with the 2 tablespoons sesame oil, then season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
  4. Combine black and white sesame seeds in a shallow dish; press each tuna steak firmly into the mixture to coat all sides.
  5. Heat a cast-iron or heavy stainless skillet over high heat, add vegetable oil, and heat until the oil shimmers and a faint smoke appears, about 2–3 minutes.
  6. Carefully lay tuna steaks in the hot pan and sear the first side without moving for 45–60 seconds.
  7. Flip tuna with tongs and sear the second side for another 45–60 seconds, then quickly sear each thin edge for about 15 seconds per edge.
  8. Transfer seared tuna to a cutting board and let rest 1 minute.
  9. Slice tuna against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces and serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

Notes

For an even cooler, rarer center, chill the seasoned tuna in the freezer for 10 minutes before searing. Use a very sharp knife to avoid tearing the delicate flesh, and run your kitchen exhaust fan on high because the hot pan will smoke.