This Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna Salad is light, fresh, and colorful with hints of sweet and savory flavors from an Asian-style dressing. It’s a quick and easy weeknight salad recipe that requires a one-minute sear for delicately creamy tuna every time.
5tablespoonsof lime juice from 3-4 limesfreshly squeezed
Zest of 2 limes
2teaspoonssoy sauce
1teaspoonSrirachaor any other hot sauce you like (i.e. Tabasco)
2clovesof garlicfinely minced
3tablespoonsof olive oil
For the Sesame Crusted Tuna:
1 1/2pounds2-3 pieces of Yellow Fin Tuna Steak, pat-dried with paper towels
3tablespoonsvegetable oil
1 1/2teaspoonKosher salt
1/2teaspoonfreshly ground black pepperor peppercorn mix
1cupof black & white sesame seeds
For the salad:
2cupsof baby arugularinsed and dried
2ripe avocadospitted and cut into smaller cubes
5stalks of scallionschopped
1jalapenoseeded and chopped
For the Bowl:optional
4cupsof cooked forbiddenblack or brown rice
Instructions
To make the sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set it aside.
To make the Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna Steaks: Brush both sides of each tuna steak with 1/2 teaspoon (each) vegetable oil. Season them with salt and pepper. Place the sesame seeds on a large plate and gently press both sides of tuna steak in sesame seeds to coat.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick skillet until it is just beginning to smoke. Add tuna steaks (make sure they are not touching each other) and cook for 1 minute* without moving them. Using tongs flip the steaks and cook for another minute. Place the steaks on a cutting board and slice into cubes. Transfer them in a mixing bowl and pour the reserved sauce over the steaks. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
To make the salad: Place baby arugula, avocados, scallions, and jalapeno in a salad bowl. Add in the marinated tuna steaks into the salad (with all of its juices) and give it a gentle stir. Taste for seasoning and add if necessary.
To serve: When ready to serve, place a cup of forbidden rice at the bottom of a bowl. Spoon some of the salad and its juices on top. Continue with the rest of the bowls. Serve immediately.
Notes
If you prefer it cooked medium or medium-well, you can sear it up to 2 minutes on each side and let it sit in the sauce for a bit longer. I wouldn’t go over 30 minutes, however, as the tuna will cook all the way through and you’ll lose that ultra-creamy texture.
What to do with leftovers? This is one of those dishes that is best on the day it is served. However, if you have leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge up to one additional day.
The nutritional values below do not include the calories coming from the optional black rice.