Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (2024)

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This pan seared tuna tataki recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make. I learned it when I was working at Zuma in London and it’s one of the best seared tuna recipes.

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (1)

Hey Foodies,

What do you think about the Japanese cuisine?

I mean, I know everybody loves sushi, but how many of you went further and tried other Japanese dishes, like sashimi or tataki?

If you didn’t try any of them it’s time to change that because the Japanese cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world.

It’s actually a known and proven fact that people in Japan live longer than almost anywhere else in the world and they lead a disease-free life.

This is attributed mostly to their cuisine, so it would be wise to learn from them and insert some of their dishes into our regular diet.

Hence, today I am going to show you how to make a healthy and easy seared tuna tataki recipe.

Oh, and if you did try them, trust me, you still want to give it a shot.

Why?

Because I learned it while I was working at Zuma London, which is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the world. So this delish was designed by some of the best chefs.

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (2)

But don’t let that scare you, this seared tuna recipe is not just for the pros.
Actually, you’ll be amazed by how simple it is.

And the best thing?

You’ll learn how to make tuna tataki at home so you won’t pay a fortune for it anymore at some fancy restaurant.

Now, I know some of you don’t know a thing about Japanese cuisine, diet or tataki. I didn’t know it either before working in a Japanese restaurant.

Thus, I would like to give you a few details about today’s delish before making it. And even if you are knowledgeable about it, I still suggest going through my tips and tricks before making this pan seared tuna tataki.

So let’s start with the basics.

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (3)

What is Tataki?

According to Wikipedia, Tataki is a Japanese method of cooking meat or fish.

It requires searing the meat in a hot pan,on each side, then slice it thinly.

Tataki is usually served with sesame, ginger and soy sauce, kind of like sashimi. The difference between them is that sashimi is 100% raw, while tataki has that seared outside crust.

It is usually made with beef, tuna or salmon.

Now that you know what it is, it’s time to find out how to make it.

How to make Tuna Tataki – Best Tips & Tricks

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (4)

1. Get sushi or sashimi-grade tuna

It is very important to make it with the freshest tuna you can find. And this goes for any raw fish meal whether it’s sushi, sashimi, or even ceviche.

Make sure you specify this to the fishmonger when buying it.

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (5)

2. Which tuna is best for tataki?

The best fish for tataki is ahi also known as yellowfin tuna. However, this is not always easily available, so in this case, you can try it with the regular frozen tuna blocks that you can find in fish stores.

If you can’t find it cut into blocks, you can get a thick piece of tuna steak, but the cooking time will be different because you can only sear it on 2 sides.

In this case, you’ll need to sear it for about 50-60 seconds per each side or until a thin crust forms.

3. How to sear the tuna

You need to grease the pan with oil and heat it well before placing the tuna in.

Cooking time depends on how big your tuna block is. Mine was about 4cm / 1.5inch and I seared it for about 15-20 seconds on each side.

If yours is larger, it will take a bit longer so you’ll need to pay attention to see when it forms a thin, white crust on the outside.

But don’t leave it too long. It should still be raw (and pink) on the inside.

4. How to serve this pan seared Tuna Tataki

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (6)

It’s usually served with ginger, soy sauce and sesame. But you can tweak the sauce to your taste.

For instance, you can add it different citrusy flavors like orange or grapefruit. Garlic would be a great addition and also hot chillis if you like it spicy.

It’s best served as an appetizerbut I sometimes enjoy it as a snack next to a glass of wine.

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (7)

In the end, I’ll summarize the key points for you:

  • get sushi or sashimi-grade tuna
  • get ahi (yellowfin) tuna if you can. If not, the regular frozen sashimi-grade tuna blocks will do.
  • grease and heat the pan before placing the tuna in.
  • add sesame, ginger and soy sauce. Remember you can tweak the sauce to your taste.

Now I’m sure you’re ready to make the best seared tuna tataki, so fire up the stoves and let’s cook Japanese.

And if you like this recipe video and want to see more, please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.

Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (8)

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5 from 7 votes

Pan Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe

This pan seared tuna tataki recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make. It's quick, healthy and so delicious.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Japanese

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 162kcal

Author Mihaela

Ingredients

  • 12 oz (350g) long tuna block
  • 1 Tsp vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbsp sprouts - to garnish
  • 2 Tbsp sliced red chili - to garnish

Tuna Tataki Dressing Recipe:

  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 spring onion - finely sliced

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix together all Tataki sauce ingredients and set aside.

  • Heat a bit of oil in a non-stick pan over high heat.

  • Place the tuna on a clean board or plate and season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  • Sear the tuna for 15-20 seconds on each side, and be careful not to overcook.

  • Transfer the cooked tuna on a clean board and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

  • Slice it thinly and make sure you cut against the grain, then set it on your serving plate.

  • Garnish the tuna with sprouts, chili slices, and sesame seeds.

  • Serve with Tataki sauce

Recipe Notes

! Please read the tips and tricks in the article before making this recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 538mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1962IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg

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Seared Tuna Tataki Recipe (With Sesame And Soy Dressing) (2024)

FAQs

What is tataki sauce made of? ›

For the sauce there are several variations for the tuna tataki recipe. The most common sauce is simple citrus-based soy sauce with shiso leaves, green onion, and grated ginger/garlic/daikon.

What is a good side dish for tuna tataki? ›

Place your tuna tataki slices over a bed of white rice and drizzle some of that freakin' delicious sauce. You could also place your tuna atop a bed of fresh greens or serve with a side of green beans or edamame.

Do you season tuna before searing? ›

Season them with salt and pepper. Roll the tuna steaks in sesame seeds until both sides are thoroughly coated. Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a saute pan on high until the oil is extremely hot and just about to smoke. Place the tuna steaks in the pan and sear for about 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes on each side.

What is the difference between ahi and tataki? ›

Tataki vs Ahi Tuna

Ahi tuna is a type of sashimi that is made from bigeye tuna and is served by lightly searing the outside of the fish like tataki. Hence it leaves the inside of the meat tender and downright raw. And the name “ahi tuna” not only refers to a type of sashimi that is made using the bigeye tuna.

Is tahini the same as soy sauce? ›

Tamari and tahini have many more differences than they do similarities. Whereas Tamari comes completely from soybeans, tahini is made purely from sesame seeds. Unlike Tamari, tahini involves no fermentation. Instead, it is produced by grinding sesame seeds into a spreadable paste.

What does tataki mean in English? ›

Tataki, meaning "hit" or "pounded" in Japanese, has a fascinating origin. In ancient times, hunters would sear game meat quickly over an open flame to enhance its flavor. This technique not only ensured a delightful sensory experience but also helped preserve the meat.

Can you eat tuna tataki raw? ›

The term sashimi grade, or sushi grade, means the fish has been frozen long enough, and at a cool enough temperature, to destroy any parasites that might be present. It's for that reason our tuna tataki can be thawed, sliced, flavoured and enjoyed as is.

Do you eat seared tuna hot or cold? ›

You can eat seared ahi warm, at room temperature, or chilled. I recommend serving the fish within 8 hours of when it was seared. I typically add a sprinkle of green onions and cilantro over my tuna. Other great toppings include sliced avocado or minced jalapeno.

Is tuna tataki served hot or cold? ›

A dish best served hot... or cold!

What oil is best for searing tuna? ›

Peanut oil adds great flavor. The goal here is to get a nice golden crust on all sides without cooking the ahi tuna all the way through. HOT PAN is key. Basically, the pan needs to be hot enough to get the crust golden in 60-90 seconds, otherwise you'll likely overcook the inside of the fish.

What are the best spices for tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor. Organic Black Malabar Pepper: A classic pairing for a simple seared tuna steak. Organic coriander Powder: Offers a lemony, floral note, excellent for an exotic twist.

What goes well with tuna tataki? ›

How to Serve Tuna Tataki. Our Sesame-Crusted Tuna Tataki can be served on its own as a light lunch or served in smaller portions as an appetizer. It's delicious accompanied by sliced avocado or a simple cucumber salad.

Is tataki raw or cooked? ›

Tataki is a Japanese preparation whereby red meat, fish or even tofu is seasoned, seared at a scorching temperature and rapidly cooled down to leave the centre as rare or untouched as possible – for this reason you should use the best quality meat or fish you can afford.

What pairs well with seared ahi tuna? ›

Looking for a quick answer? The best side dishes to serve with seared tuna are grilled asparagus, mango salsa, quinoa salad, garlic mashed potatoes, bok choy, cucumber salad, edamame ,sauteed spinach with garlic, risotto, and roasted vegetables.

What is tzatziki sauce made of? ›

What is tzatziki? Tzatziki is a salted yogurt and cucumber dip that's made of strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs. Authentic Greek tzatziki is most often made with sheep or goat yogurt, but my tzatziki recipe calls for regular full-fat Greek yogurt.

What is Japanese sauce made of? ›

Teriyaki sauce is made using a combination of soy sauce, mirin (a sweet cooking sake), and sugar. While it can be made with just soy sauce and sugar, the addition of mirin adds a beautiful luster to the sauce and mimics that restaurant quality feel. It's sweet, tangy, and a little sticky.

What is Toum sauce made of? ›

In the mortar, combine garlic and salt and grind until it becomes a smooth paste. Work oil into paste 1 teaspoon at a time. After adding 1 tablespoon oil, work in a few drops of lemon juice. Repeat until all the oil, lemon juice, and water have been incorporated.

References

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