Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna Steak With Authentic Japanese Teriyaki Sauce

When you make Rico’s Authentic Japanese Teriyaki Sauce, here is the perfect recipe to enjoy it.

Ahi tuna, which refers to yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna in Hawai, is high in protein, low in fat, and very easy to cook.

Learn the secret to preparing tuna to cut off the fishy taste and pull out the Umami flavor for a sesame-crusted seared tuna steak.

It may seem fancy like dinner for holidays, date nights, and special occasions, but honestly, it’s very easy, simple, and tasty, and both best parts, ahi tuna and authentic!

Japanese Teriyaki sauce is a ridiculously savory combination!

Only the effort you may need is to make Teriyaki sauce and Japanese citrus chili paste in advance.

How To Make Authentic Japanese Teriyaki Sauce

For this recipe, use teriyaki sauce instead of the usual dark soy sauce!

Teriyaki sauce combines all flavors of crispy sesame crust, sweet mild tuna, tangy GARI pickled ginger, kicking wasabi, and Ummm, delicious.

This is the authentic Japanese Teriyaki sauce, unlike store-bought teriyaki sauce.

Be sure to make this sauce the night before making ahi tuna steak.

Homemade Authentic Japanese Teriyaki (Yakitori) Sauce; For Yakitori, Grilled Meat and Vegetables

The best authentic restaurant-grade TERIYAKI sauce, with only 4 ingredients, without MIRIN! A sticky sweet and rich umami taste, making it the perfect glaze over yakitori/ teriyaki chicken, salmon, and more. Once you make this easy but absolute-authentic Japanese essential sauce, I guarantee you won’t buy a bottle in a grocery store again like you're Japanese.

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The Tuna We Use For Seared Tuna Steak

You need to prepare SUSHI-GRADE TUNA.

I wouldn’t say that!

If you can get it, it’s great!

RELAX.

we always use Ahi tuna which is also easy to find in your local grocery store’s frozen or fresh seafood section.

Prepare Tuna To Make It Less Fishy Taste

Now, I can tell you how to prepare the fish perfectly in Japanese cooking.

1. Pat dry the fish with kitchen paper towels well. (Never rinse them.)
2. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on each side.
3. Let it sit in a fridge for 10 minutes.
4. Pat dry the fish thoughtfully.

Sprinkling salt on fish can get rid of the fishy taste and season it as well.

Then let it sit for about 10 minutes, the moisture will be pulled out of the fish and this is the fishy taste component.

So, pat dry the fish thoughtfully while changing paper towels until the moisture is fully wiped off.

As I said, Ahi tuna refers to yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna.

Bigeye tuna is a rich, buttery taste and smooth texture, yellowfin tuna is a mild-fish flavor and firmer texture.

Sesame Crust

Sesame seeds give the ahi tuna steak a nice toasty nutty and crunchy flavor and texture.

Especially, yellowfin tuna is light and mild flavor, better toasted sesame seeds can also add rich flavor.

Also, sesame seeds can bring several health benefits.

White sesame seeds or black sesame seeds?

I recommend using white sesame seeds only or mixing both for the simple ahi tuna steak.

Black sesame seeds only may be OK, but, the sesame flavor may be too strong for this recipe.

But, up to you!

Personally, I recommend toasted sesame seeds produced in Korea and Japan.

TAKE A PEEK INTO JAPANESE PANTRY: Sesame Seeds Benefits 101

Sesame seeds, sesame oil, and sesame paste…are often used in Japanese cooking as represented in the dish called “GOMA-AE”. Sesame seeds are packed with nutrients so they are respected as a natural remedy from ancient times in Japan. Especially, black sesame seeds have black pigment in their shells, which is a good source of polyphenols. The main nutrition of sesame seeds is about 50% lipid, about 20% protein, and rich in fibers and minerals. In particular, the lipid compounded in these small grains is packed with unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and oleic acid. Let's break down sesame seed benefits and how to incorporate them more into your daily healthy diet.

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Egg white wash helps to stick sesame seeds.

So toasted sesame oil is perfect to sear ahi tuna boosting Asian flavor!

I highly recommend Korean and Japanese toasted sesame oil on my website many times.

It’s a great oil to use for sautés, roasts, and dressing.

They’re a big, flavorful finish that you’re ever looking for.

• [OTTOGI] Premium Roasted Sesame Oil, 100% Pure Sesame Oil, Traditional Korean Style oil
• Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil

Essential Garnishes

It’s my hubby’s special dish to cook, and teriyaki sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi are essentials.

• Teriyaki sauce
• Pikled ginger
• Wasabi paste

Place the seared tuna steak slice, and drizzle my authentic teriyaki sauce.

Put pickled ginger and wasabi paste, and throw it in your mouth!

Also, I recommend this Japanese unique citrus chili paste instead of Wasabi!

Yuzu Kosho 101: How To Make Japanese Mysterious Condiment For Everything

A condiment so simple, citrusy, spicy, sensational, and amazing. Yuzu kosho is going to be your favorite use of lime or other citrus fruits which is tempting with simple grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, or steamed, stir-fried, soup, salad... To make the yuzu kosho, take a large handful or four of green chili peppers like serrano, jalapeno, Thai, or bird's eye. The golden ratio of peppers to Yuzu skins is 4 : 1.

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How To Cook Tuna Steak

Now’s the time to start the cooking process.

While this ahi tuna steak can be an easy, quick, simple but tasty dish, however, how you cook it makes all the difference.

When ahi tuna will be over-cooked just in seconds difference can taste more like flaky dried fish.

First of all, begin with preparing ahi tuna in the way that I explained above.

Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high until it becomes extremely hot.

Quickly sear each side in the pan for about a minute or less depending on the size and thickness of your tuna cut.

Sesame-crusted Ahi tuna With Authentic Teriyaki sauce

Rico McConnell

Ahi tuna is high in protein, low in fat, technically healthy, and very easy to cook. Learn the secret to preparing tuna to cut off the fishy taste and pull out the Umami flavor for a sesame-crusted seared tuna steak. It may seem fancy like the dinner for holidays, date nights, and special occasions, but honestly, it’s very easy, simple, and tasty, and both best parts, ahi tuna and authentic! Japanese Teriyaki sauce is a ridiculously savory combination! Only the effort you may need is to make Teriyaki sauce and Japanese citrus chili paste in advance.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 6 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 2 people

Ingredients  

• Rico's Authentic Teriyaki sauce *1)
• 2 Ahi tuna steaks (3/4 of an inch thick)
• 1 egg whitewash
• 1 cup Sesame seeds *white/ white and black mix
• Pickled ginger
• Wasabi paste
• Japanese citrus chili paste *2)
• 1-2 tbsp Toasted sesame oil
• a pinch of salt

Instructions 

Prepare Garnishes &A dipping Sauce

• Make Japanese citrus chili paste 1-2 weeks before.
  
• Make Rico's authentic teriyaki sauce the night before.

Prepare Ahi tuna

• If you use frozen tuna, thaw the fish to transfer to a fridge the night before or soak a packet in ice-cold water for about 30 minutes.
• Place kitchen paper towels on a stainless steel baking pan.
• Place thawed tuna steaks on paper towels, and sprinkle a pinch of salt on each side.
• Let the fish for 10 minutes in a fridge.
• Pat dry the fish (especially the moisture on the surfaces) thoughtfully while changing paper towels.

Coat & Sear Tuna Steak

• Make an egg whitewash. (You can use 2 egg whites if needed or add water.) Place sesame seeds on a plate.
• Dip the fish in egg white wash and then coat them with sesame seeds while pressing firmly.

  *Don't forget sides.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, until very hot.
• Once the skillet is hot, add the toasted sesame oil and coat the pan.
• Carefully lay the tuna in the pan, trying not to remove the sesame seeds as possible as you can.
• Sear the fish for 45-60 seconds without moving the steaks.
• Check the underneath by lifting one corner to see if it looks golden and crispy.
• Carefully flip, and sear the other side.
• Repeat to sear each side using tongs to hold it upright.

Serve Sesame crusted seared ahi tuna steak

• Place on a cutting board, then using a sharp knife or sushi knife, slice thoughtfully.
• Place a slice on a sushi plate, drizzle teriyaki sauce, and place a pinch of gari pickled ginger and a very small amount of wasabi paste or Japanese citrus chili paste.

Video

Notes

1. Teriyaki sauce recipe
2. Citrus Chili Paste recipe

©Japanmcconnell/Rico McConnell- Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Keyword Easy, fish, Healthy, Holiday, Nibbles, Party, seafood, sesame seeds, Teriyaki

Ahi Tuna Steaks On Salad Or On Rice

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The ingredients you need to add to this salad with tuna steak– are my Asian sesame dressing, the sesame-crusted ahi tuna that you made, and the fresh tossed salad.

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With a green salad, avocado, cherry tomatoes, whatever you like!

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