14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2024)

Fresh tuna may feel like a fish that's best enjoyed when ordered at a delicious sushi spot or a high-end seafood restaurant, but there's no reason why you can't cook it at home. Here, you'll find simple preparations of grilled and seared tuna that can be turned into rice bowls, skewers, or served alongside a crisp salad.

When shopping for fresh tuna, be sure to choose a responsibly-caught option (you can always ask the fishmonger at your local market or grocery store for more complete sourcing information). Ahi tuna—also known as yellowfin tuna—is the premier fresh tuna choice and you'll find it available in loins and steaks. Our recipes will always specify exactly which cut you need.

When working with good-quality fresh tuna, the key is to prepare it so that it's just cooked on the outside but still rare and fully pink-red on the inside. Fresh tuna has a very firm, meaty texture that's similar to mahi mahi or swordfish and offers a relatively mild flavor. It can also be expensive, so you'll best be able to appreciate the flavor when it is served rare.

Ahead, you'll find recipes where fresh tuna is served seared and dressed simply with sesame seeds, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Enjoy it on its own with a crisp white wine for a light, delicious meal you'll crave all summer long. Of course, we also have plenty of low-key weeknight specials that include tuna rice bowls, tuna steaks served with salads and grilled vegetables, fish skewers, and more. All of these fresh tuna recipes come together quickly—and they're guaranteed to be the start of the show whenever you prepare them.

17 Canned Tuna Recipes That Aren't Just Tuna Melts or Casseroles

01of 14

Sesame-Crusted Tuna Tataki

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (1)

It takes no time at all to put together this stunning fresh tuna dish that you can serve as an elegant appetizer or impressive main course over a bed of sticky rice. The fish is seared until it's cooked on the outside but perfectly pink on the inside.

View Recipe

02of 14

Seared Tuna Taco Bowl

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2)

This weeknight-friendly fresh tuna recipe comes together in 45 minutes and is bursting with color and flavor from tuna steaks, shredded red cabbage, black beans, cilantro, and sliced watermelon radishes.

View Recipe

03of 14

Bluefin Tuna With Olive, Cucumber, and Cilantro Relish

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (3)

Did someone say summer dining? Seared tuna steaks are the perfect partner for this crunchy, briny relish made of olives, cucumbers, and fresh cilantro for this fresh meal that's just right to serve al fresco.

04of 14

Brown Rice With Tuna, Avocado, and Toasted Nori

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (4)

Craving sushi? Give this rice bowl a try. It's topped with all of our favorite hand-roll ingredients: seared tuna, crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, and toasted nori.

View Recipe

05of 14

Grilled Tuna With Mediterranean Chopped Salad

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (5)

Turn traditional Niçoise salad on its ear by tossing the potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes together and serving them alongside grilled tuna steaks. Briny Kalamata olives and umami-rich anchovies add extra oomph.

View Recipe

06of 14

Tuna Steaks With Lemony Tomatoes and Onion

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (6)

Sear tuna steaks just until browned on the outside but still deep-red in the center, then serve with a salad of sweet cherry tomatoes and red onion seasoned with lemon juice for an easy, colorful accompaniment.

View Recipe

07of 14

Seared Tuna With Tomatoes and Basil

This entrée starts by searing cubes of tuna in a hot skillet, then simmering them in a rustic sauce made from caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and basil. The dish is excellent over soft polenta or simply served with crusty bread.

View Recipe

08of 14

Tuna Steaks With Mint Sauce

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (8)

You'll want to try this genius trick for cooking tuna: Sprinkling salt in the skillet before cooking the prevents the fish from sticking without using oil. Here, we're serving the tuna steaks with a herby sauce of mint, garlic, lemon, and olive oil; it's similar to gremolata but with mint in place of the usual parsley.

View Recipe

09of 14

Seared Tuna Steaks With Sesame Oil

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (9)

Rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil seasoned with grated ginger and sliced scallions make a quick and tasty sauce for eggplant and seared tuna steaks. Steaming followed by sautéing makes the eggplant tender and delicious.

View Recipe

10of 14

Grilled Tuna Skewers

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (10)

Cubes of yellowfin tuna absorb the bright flavors of lime juice and cilantro in a quick marinade before hitting the grill. This healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

View Recipe

11of 14

Tuna With Orange-Pepper Salsa

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (11)

Create a fresh, flavorful salsa with navel oranges, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh mint, then spoon over coriander-spiced grilled tuna steaks for a sublime supper.

View Recipe

12of 14

Tuna Cakes With Arugula-Tomato Salad

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (12)

Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple recipe is ideal for last-minute weeknight dinners. Serve the tuna cakes and salad side by side or enjoy both in a wrap or sandwich.

View Recipe

13of 14

Sesame Seared Tuna With Ginger-Carrot Dipping Sauce

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (13)

Black and white sesame seeds give fresh tuna a crunchy and satisfying coating. Serve with a toasty, salty-sweet dipping sauce made of mirin, white miso, carrot juice, and ginger.

View Recipe

14of 14

Rosemary Tuna With White Beans

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (14)

Fresh herbs and earthy kale come together in this easy fresh tuna recipe. The combo is paired with canned white beans, creating a filling and fiber-rich dish.

View Recipe

14 Fresh Tuna Recipes That Are Ready in a Flash (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5762

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.