Fresh Tuna Recipes
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Fresh Tuna
Albacore, skipjack, bigeye, yellowfin—no matter your preference, there's no denying the elegance of an entreé made with fresh tuna. Whether slightly sautéed or chopped over vibrant greens, tuna is one of Cooking Light's favorite types of fish. Here are more than 30 different ways to incorporate fresh tuna into your wheelhouse.
Niçoise is typically a salad composed of tuna, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, Niçoise olives, and anchovies, dressed with a vinaigrette. We substituted kalamata olives for Niçoise, since they are easier to find. Serve with
Although it is one of the most popular species, tuna is tricky when it comes to sustainability. To make sure you're making a sustainable choice, check out Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch for up-to-date information on the best tuna choices.
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Sesame Albacore Tuna
There are very few dishes more visually appealing than a slightly sauteéd albacore steak sprinkled with salt and pepper.
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Seared Tuna with Avocado Salsa
Before you sear the tuna, be sure to get the pan screaming hot--this gives you a deep crust without overcooking the interior.
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Grilled Tuna Steaks with Cucumber-Pickled Ginger Relish
The pickled ginger adds a sweet, spicy bite to the cucumber relish. Prepare the relish while the tuna grills. Make a quick side by steaming snow peas in the microwave. Serve with
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Seared Tuna Niçoise
This flavor-packed dish combines tuna, hard boiled eggs, potatoes, and lots of veggies.
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Coriander-Crusted Tuna with Black Bean Salsa
This Southwestern tuna has a spicy crust made with coriander, cumin, and black pepper. Serve with warm flour tortillas, and garnish with sliced avocado.
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Sesame Tuna with Edamame and Soba
Use all white sesame seeds if black seeds are unavailable and serve with
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Grilled Tuna and Broccolini with Garlic Drizzle
The garlic-anchovy drizzle adds another flavor dimension to this already tasty dish.
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Tuna Summer Rolls
Seasoned sushi rice replaces traditional rice noodles in these divine tuna summer rolls.
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Grilled Tuna with Chipotle Ponzu and Avocado Salsa
Here is a great example of how bold Asian and Latin flavors work well together. Orange and lime juice substitute for rice vinegar, the acidic ingredient typically used in a Japanese ponzu dipping sauce. It gets a kick from the hot, smoky chipotle chiles.
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Tuna Puttanesca
Puttanesca sauce, which is made from olives, capers, anchovies, and tomatoes, is an ideal accompaniment for tuna. Cover the fish with foil to keep it warm while the sauce heats in the skillet.
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Grilled Tuna with White Bean and Charred Onion Salad
Marinated with lemon, garlic, Dijon mustard, freshly ground black pepper, and olive oil, this grilled tuna salad will have your taste buds begging for more.
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Grilled Tuna Sandwiches with Onions, Bell Peppers, and Chile-Cilantro Mayonnaise
The tangy citrus quality of the mayonnaise pairs well with the grilled tuna. When the weather is nice, prepare this on the grill. Red bell peppers are a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, and the amount of bell peppers in just one sandwich delivers almost a whole day's requirement for vitamin C.
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Seared Tuna and Radish Salad with Wasabi Dressing
The tuna is seared in this recipe, but you can serve it raw if you purchase sushi-grade fish.
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Grilled Tuna with Basil Butter and Fresh Tomato Sauce
The fresh tomato sauce and basil butter come together harmoniously to turn this grilled tuna into a work of art that will leave your taste buds in awe.
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Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Wasabi-Ponzu Sauce
This tuna recipe takes on an Asian flair with a coating of sesame seeds and a dipping sauce made of wasabi paste, soy sauce, and fresh ginger.
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Mediterranean Tuna Cakes with Citrus Mayonnaise
Fresh tuna makes all the difference in this recipe and is worth the expense. Pulse it about 5 times in the food processor to finely chop.
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Grilled Yellowfin Tuna with Romaine and Tropical Fruit
Here's a healthy summer dish with everything you need—grilled yellowfin tuna, romaine lettuce and tropical fruit. The fish will cook on a hot grill pan quickly so you can have this impressive meal on the table in a snap.
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Tuna Steaks with Wasabi-Ginger Glaze
Jasmine rice and steamed fresh asparagus pair nicely with the tuna steaks to complete the meal. Chinese-style hot mustard has a sharp, spicy bite and can be used in place of wasabi paste.
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Tuna Poke
Be sure to use sushi-grade fish for this Tuna Poke salad because the fish is raw and isn't "cooked" with citrus juice, as in seviche.
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Grilled Lime-Soy Tuna with Noodles
This Asian-inspired meal is an impressive date-night dinner, and it can easily be doubled to feed a family.
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Tuna Scaloppine with Onion, Mint, and Almond Topping
This traditional Italian dish is extremely versatile. The topping would also make a fine accompaniment for grilled or sautéed chicken breasts.
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Tuna Tartare Sliders with Wasabi Mayo
For a little burger with big flavor, try Tuna Tartare Sliders with Wasabi Mayo. This succulent tuna slider comes with a wasabi kick.
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Grilled Thai-Spiced Tuna Steak
Red curry paste gives this tuna dish spiciness and depth of flavor. The sweetness from the vibrantly colored accompanying salad balances the heat and adds a burst of fresh flavor to the meal. Use less curry paste, if you prefer.
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Asian Seared Tuna Salad
Tuna pairs beautifully with this sweet, salty, and spicy Asian vinaigrette.
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Seared Herbed Tuna
In this recipe, meaty tuna cooks up in no time. The side salad capitalizes on filling ingredients such as potatoes and green beans.
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Seared Mediterranean Tuna Steaks
Coriander has a lemon-sage flavor that complements the tuna and the fresh tomato sauce. Serve with a side of refrigerated potato wedges, roasted according to package instructions.
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Sautéed Tuna and Green Onion Stalks on Romaine
Incorporating a variety of nutritious ingredients is an easy way to serve a healthful dish. Carrot contributes the antioxidant beta-carotene, while bok choy, a unique and hearty choice for a salad, is rich in potential cancer-fighting indoles. And tuna is a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats.
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Tuna-Guacamole Tacos
Brighten up weeknight dinners with easy and flavorful Tuna-Guacamole Tacos. The guacamole is very creamy and tasty on its own--make extra.
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Seared Sesame Tuna with Orange-Ginger Sauce
The sesame seeds tend to pop out of the skillet as the tuna cooks, so use caution and wear an oven mitt when you turn over the fish.
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Summer Salad of Seared Tuna, Lima Beans, and Tomatoes
If you can't find fresh limas, try flageolets, cranberry beans, or any combination of shell beans.
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Sesame Tuna with Spicy Slaw
Sriracha chile sauce can be found in the ethnic foods aisle in large supermarkets or in Asian groceries. If you can't find Sriracha, substitute half the amount of Tabasco or other hot sauce. There isn't a good substitute for the one-of-a-kind flavor of fish sauce, though many cooks will use soy sauce in a pinch. Pair this dish with rice noodles.
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Pan-Grilled Thai Tuna Salad
Pair with a side of crunchy rice crackers and prepare a refreshing dessert to follow the spicy salad.
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Tuna with Avocado Green Goddess Aioli
The aioli features heart-healthy avocado, which contributes vitamin E to this dish. But the real nutritional standout is the tuna, which is rich in niacin.
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Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Ginger-Peanut Rice
If you like your tuna cooked rare, buy sushi-grade tuna.
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Grilled Tuna over Lemon-Mint Barley Salad
The flavors of the vinaigrette are mirrored in the marinade, so there's a double dose of the refreshing combination of the lemon and mint.
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Marmitako (Fresh Tuna Stew)
This dish derives its name from the marmita, a type of pot used for stews. Its roots trace back to men who prepared it aboard tuna fishing boats. There are many versions of marmitako, and ingredients vary according to what is available. But most renditions include tuna, potatoes, garlic, and peppers. Although crushed red pepper flakes are not traditional, they add a little kick.
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Grilled Tuna Over Green Bean, Tomato, and Chickpea Salad
This easy, high-protein meal comes together quickly following an after-work workout. If you exercise at midday, save leftovers for lunch.