Imagine cutting into a perfectly seared tuna steak with a golden, crispy sesame crust that crackles beneath your knife, revealing a succulent, ruby-red center that melts in your mouth. This isn't just another fish recipe—this is a culinary adventure that transforms your kitchen into a gourmet Japanese restaurant in just 25 minutes. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a restaurant-worthy meal, this Sesame Seared Tuna with Ginger Carrot Dipping Sauce is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Japanese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tuna steaks
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the tuna steaks by patting them completely dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect sear.
- In a shallow dish, spread the sesame seeds evenly and press the tuna steaks into the seeds, coating all sides completely, creating a uniform sesame crust.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over high heat until it's just smoking, indicating the perfect searing temperature.
- Carefully place the sesame-crusted tuna steaks into the hot pan, searing each side for approximately 30-45 seconds to create a golden-brown exterior while keeping the center rare to medium-rare.
- For the ginger carrot dipping sauce, grate the carrot and fresh ginger using a fine grater or microplane for maximum flavor extraction.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine grated carrot, ginger, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, vibrant dipping sauce.
- Remove tuna from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow internal temperature to stabilize.
- Slice tuna steaks against the grain into thin, elegant pieces using a sharp knife.
- Plate the sliced tuna and serve immediately with the prepared ginger carrot dipping sauce on the side.
Tips
- Pat the tuna steaks completely dry before coating with sesame seeds to ensure a perfect, crispy crust.
- Use a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan for the most even and high-heat sear.
- Get your pan smoking hot before adding the tuna to achieve that beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Cook the tuna very briefly—30-45 seconds per side—to maintain a rare to medium-rare center.
- Always slice tuna against the grain for the most tender eating experience.
- Use fresh, high-quality tuna for the best flavor and texture.
- Let the tuna rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow the internal temperature to stabilize.
- Grate ginger and carrots finely for a smoother, more integrated dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 45mg
