What kind of tuna should I buy for searing?
Look for ahi (yellowfin) or bigeye tuna sold as steaks or a loin. Buy the freshest you can from a reputable seafood counter. If you plan to serve it rare in the center, ask for tuna that is appropriate for quick-searing or raw-style preparations, and keep it cold until cooking.
Food safety note: Eating raw or undercooked fish can increase foodborne illness risk. If you are pregnant, immunocompromised, very young, or older, it is safest to cook tuna through.
How do I keep seared tuna from sticking to the pan?
Three things: dry the tuna well, preheat the pan until hot, and use an oil with a higher smoke point like avocado, grapeseed, or canola. Once it hits the pan, let it be. If you try to move it too early, it will cling.
How long do you sear tuna on each side?
For a 1 to 1¼-inch steak: 60 to 90 seconds per side for rare to medium-rare, plus a quick sear on the edges if you want. If your tuna is thinner, shorten the time. If it is thicker, add 15 to 30 seconds per side.
What internal temperature is seared tuna?
Use temps as a texture guide, not a safety guarantee. Rough guide: rare is about 115°F, medium-rare about 125°F. You can absolutely use an instant-read thermometer, but timing and touch work too once you do it a couple times.
Can I cook seared tuna all the way through?
You can. Sear it, then lower heat and cook a few minutes more until it is opaque throughout and flakes more like cooked fish. Somewhere in the 135°F to 145°F range will get you there depending on thickness and how firm you like it, but know it will lose the steak-like texture as it goes more done.
My sesame seeds are getting dark fast. Is the tuna overcooked?
Not necessarily. Sesame seeds can brown before the center warms if the pan is too hot. If the seeds are racing toward burnt, pull the pan off the heat for 20 seconds, lower the burner a notch, and keep going. You want browned and toasty, not bitter.
Can I use a nonstick pan?
Yes. Use medium-high heat (not the highest setting), add oil, and wait for it to shimmer. Nonstick often runs hotter than you think, so start slightly lower and add a few seconds per side if needed.
What should I serve with seared tuna?
Rice, cucumber salad, sautéed green beans, sesame noodles, or a simple mixed greens salad with citrus. Anything crisp and fresh plays nicely with the rich tuna.
