Tuna Steak Seasoning
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It’s said that the way to your lover’s heart is through their stomach – and tuna steak is one of the easiest ways to get there!
What’s better than a juicy tuna steak?
But not just any tuna steak. How about one that’s healthy, delicious, and seasoned to perfection, too!
This tuna steak recipe is not only delicious, but it also offers a wide range of nutrients that are good for your health. If your partner loves fish, this low-fat tuna steak will make an excellent addition to their heart – and diet!
What is ahi tuna?
You may have heard of the delicious and healthy ahi tuna steak, but what is it?
The word “ahi” in Hawaiian means fish. It’s often referred to as yellowtail or bigeye tuna. They have similarities with a beefsteak in terms of size and thickness. Often, ahi tuna is also called “tuna steaks.”
Today from my kitchen, I will tell you everything you need to know about preparing the perfect tuna steaks, so they are both tasty and nutritious.
What is a good seasoning for tuna steak?
FAQ number one is what spices go well with tuna steak?
This recipe also includes instructions on making pickling season to add a delicious flavor and aroma to your ordinary ahi tuna steak.
Usually, for a grilled tuna steak or blacked tuna steak, blackening seasoning is used. It’s a mixture of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper, basil, and oregano.
People often look for variations to blackened tuna steak seasoning and ask,
What’s another good seasoning for tuna steaks?
So for this tuna recipe, I’m drawing on my southern roots and adding a pickling seasoning.
What is pickling spice?
This recipe answers the question, what can you add to tuna to make it taste better?
Pickling spice! It’s a sweet and spicy herb mix used to add flavor to the canning pickling process. Mustard seeds, coriander, cloves, allspice, black pepper, chili powder, bay leaves, and sometimes cinnamon make up this southern seasoning.
It’s commonly used on corned beef, but I also love its beautiful aroma and taste with tuna!
You can make the pickling spice dry rub per the ingredients and instructions below or purchase it already made like this seasoning packet HERE.
Instant Pot tuna steak recipe
Got 3 minutes? That’s how short the cooking time is for these Instant Pot easy tuna fillets!
It’s a simple dish that takes almost no time to prepare. The ingredients are all common, and the seasoning flavor is rich and delicious!
If you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe that does not require much clean-up, this recipe will do the trick!
After following these easy instructions, you’ll be able to cook up a delicious dish with little effort!
Take advantage of the Instant Pot for even more convenience!
Kitchen equipment
Shop my kitchenware!
Instant Pot Duo Nova | Instant Pot steamer trivet rack (Note: A trivet rack comes with your Instant Pot) | The Pioneer Woman measuring bowls | Kate Aspen heart measuring spoons | Anthropologie plates | Anthropologie tea towel | Amazon porcelain serving platter | Amazon red cutting board | Pre-made southern pickling seasoning |
Ingredients for the tuna steaks
- 3-4, 3-oz. tuna steaks
- ½ a teaspoon of sea salt, sprinkled
- ½ a cup of water
Ingredients for the pickling seasoning
- ½ a teaspoon of salt
- ½ a teaspoon of yellow teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ a teaspoon of coriander seeds
- ½ a teaspoon of cloves
- ½ a teaspoon of ground allspice
- ½ a teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ a teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 crumbled bay leaf
Instructions for the tuna steaks seasoning
- Prep the fish by sprinkling the sea salt on the top and bottom of the tuna steaks and then set them aside.
- Mix the salt, mustard seeds, coriander, cloves, ground allspice, black pepper, chili powder, and the crumbled bay leaf in a small bowl to make the pickling season.
- Rub the pickling season mixture on top of the tuna steaks.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and pour the water into the bottom of the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
- Place the tuna steaks on the Instant Pot inner pot trivet rack.
- Using the trivet handles, lower the rack with the steaks on it into the inner Pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and turn on the ‘steam’ setting for 3 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 3 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Use the trivet rack’s handles to easily remove the tuna steaks from the inner pot.
- Serve the pickling seasoning tuna steaks right away and enjoy!
Why choose a dry rub over a marinade?
Marinades tenderize meat, while dry rubs do not.
The pickling season in this recipe is a dry rub. Therefore, it won’t add any additional moisture to the exterior of the fish.
But there’s no need for a meat tenderizer for this tuna fish recipe. Because ½ cup of water is one of the ingredients required to steam the fish.
What’s a good side dish for tuna steaks?
Many people ask, what goes good with tuna steak?
Tuna steaks are a delicious, healthy, and versatile addition to any dish. You can serve steaks with mixed greens, a kale salad, or brown sugar-glazed carrots for an excellent meal that’s sure to not disappoint!
Or try coconut rice, sweet plantains, Caribbean coleslaw, Jamaican cabbage, or Black folks Southern cabbage. These sides pair well with the Hawaiian/Caribbean flair of ahi tuna. Especially if you’re looking for something Caribbean yet still filling enough to pair with the fish.
Make Southern green beans , Southern fried cabbage, or soul food Southern coleslaw with your tuna fillet if you’re looking for more of a soulful flavor to compliment the pickling seasoning in this tuna steak recipe.
How long should you cook the tuna steaks?
Instant Pot is the fastest cooking method for tuna steaks without compromising the texture or taste of the steak.
Steaming the steaks in this multi-cooker is faster than making seared tuna, blackened tuna, skillet, or pan-seared tuna steak.
For Instant Pot cooking, you only need 3 minutes to cook tuna like it was pan-seared. So instead of needing a grill gate or cast iron skillet, you’ll only need the inner pot and 3 minutes on the steam setting!
Place your seasoned tuna steaks on the Instant Pot inner pot trivet rack. Close the lid, making sure the valve is in the sealing position and set the pot to ‘steam’ for only 3 minutes to cook the steak.
After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for at least 3 more minutes.
How healthy is tuna steak?
Like most fish, tuna is the perfect keto-friendly dish! It’s very low in carbohydrates, containing almost no sugar.
Tuna is a fish that packs an omega-3 punch which is excellent for your body’s energy capacity and is loaded with antioxidants.
In addition, there’s nearly no fat in tuna, and it’s rich in vitamins B, potassium, and other nutrients that support strong bones.
Things to keep in mind before buying tuna
Depending on your preference, you may choose ahi tuna steaks that have been graded either “sashimi” or “sushi.” In other words, the fish is frozen to kill parasites before being eaten or cooked.
There are no specific standards for grading fish sushi or sashimi; they’re merely marketing terms. If you want to enjoy a delicious and juicy piece of tuna, fresh tuna is the best tuna.
When you purchase your tuna, there should be no dry or brown spots. The natural darker color of the flesh is okay and shouldn’t have a rainbow sheen to it either. It also needs to smell ocean-fresh!
What type of tuna should you use for this recipe?
When it comes to choosing the best type of tuna, there are two main varieties: albacore and bluefin.
Some people like using albacore, while others prefer yellowfin or bluefin.
Which one is better, albacore or bluefin?
Well, that depends on your personal preferences.
For example, albacore would be your preferred choice if you like a fish with a lighter flavor and flaky texture.
If you prefer a richer-tasting tuna with more fat content and meaty texture, then bluefin would be the way to go!
Should tuna steak be pink in the middle?
Its nothing wrong if the tuna steak is pink in the middle.
Pink in the middle means that it’s fresh, tender, with less dryness than other meats due to its high-fat content.
Make sure to not overcook tuna, or else your favorite dish will become dry instead.
What are the best sauces for tuna steak?
Tuna is a relatively mild-flavored fish, so you can enjoy it with many different sauces.
The bright and fresh flavors of a dipping sauce go really well with this type of protein instead of more buttery or creamy options.
That’s not the only one; we have some other suggestions to choose from according to your choice and preference.
- Sauce vierge
- Pesto
- Salsa verde
- Rice sauce
- Chimichurri sauce
What did you think about this recipe?
Want to be kind to your heart? Then tuna steaks are perfect for you!
Tuna steaks are going to be your new loving BFF. They have so much going for them – they’re lean, healthy seafood with tons of omega-3 fatty acids and almost no fats.
As a result, they contain less fat, more protein, and they have a mild flavor that is perfect for those who want something flavorful (add the pickling season) but not too spicy.
Love how quick and easy seafood is?
This tuna steak recipe is sweet and savory, super quick, and easy. And it’s definitely worth a try!
You may also like this recipe for a low country shrimp boil.
With Instant Pot, this low country seafood boil cooks in only 8 minutes vs. 8 hours – so you’re welcome! (You’ll thank me later.)
Like this post? Pin the below picture to your “Southern Food Recipes” Pinterest Board!
Equipment
- Instant Pot inner pot trivet rack (Note: A trivet rack comes with your Instant Pot)
Ingredients
Ingredients for the tuna steaks
- 3-4 tuna steaks approx. 3 oz. size steaks
- ½ teaspoon sea salt sprinkled
- ½ cup water
Ingredients for the pickling seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice or dried allspice berries
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 bay leaf crumbled
Instructions
- Prep the fish by sprinkling the sea salt on the top and bottom of the tuna steaks and then set them aside.
- Mix the salt, mustard seeds, coriander, cloves, ground allspice, black pepper, chili powder, and the crumbled bay leaf in a small bowl to make the pickling season.
- Rub the pickling season mixture on top of the tuna steaks.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and pour the water into the bottom of the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
- Place the tuna steaks on the Instant Pot inner pot trivet rack.
- Using the trivet handles, lower the rack with the steaks on it into the inner Pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and turn on the ‘steam’ setting for 3 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 3 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Use the trivet rack’s handles to easily remove the tuna steaks from the inner pot.
- Serve the pickling seasoning tuna steaks right away and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Tuna, one of my favorite fish! This fish is also best for soup dish.
Yes! Yummy with soup!!
I’ve never paired tuna or any other type of seafood with these seasonings before. I like how there is a mix of spicy and savory spices to season the fish. Tuna steaks aren’t my go to, so I’d be interested in trying this out with salmon or halibut maybe.
So happy that you’re going to give this Southern seasoning a whirl!