Seared Ahi Tuna Cucumber Bites with Wasabi Mayo
on Dec 20, 2021, Updated May 13, 2024
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Talk about the easiest ahi tuna appetizer ever: seared ahi tuna cucumber bites with wasabi mayo! It’s SO quick to make and looks insanely impressive. This wasabi mayo is super easy, and has such amazing flavor. This is truly the most perfect ahi tuna recipe! This recipe might be, my new favorite?!
Ingredients you need for this ahi tuna appetizer
- sushi grade ahi tuna steaks
- sesame seeds (white + black)
- sesame oil
- cucumbers
- mayo
- wasabi (fresh, wasabi powder or paste)
- rice wine vinegar
- salt, sugar and chives (or green onions) to garnish
Steps to make this recipe
Step 1: Prep your cukes
Slice your cucumbers in rounds. I wanted mine to be a little thicker, but you can cut them to your desired thickness. Set aside.
Recipe Tip
At this point, to add some extra flavor to your cucumbers, you can salt them to let out their excess moisture, wash and dry.
Step 2: Make your wasabi mayo
Make your wasabi mayo. In a small bowl, mix together mayo, wasabi, rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar until all combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Sear your sushi-grade tuna
Next, take your ahi tuna and add in a plate with sesame oil and then coat it in a plate of your assorted sesame seeds. Sear in a skillet, pan or on a grill 20-30 seconds on each side until the outsides of the ahi are a lighter brown color, while keeping the ahi medium rare inside. Remove from the skillet, cool and slice to your desired thickness for the bites.
Step 4: Assemble!
Assemble! Take your cucumbers, add on your sliced seared ahi tuna, top with a dollop of wasabi mayo, and finish with chives and edible flowers. Serve!
Tips, Tricks and Substitutions
Where can I find wasabi paste? You can use fresh wasabi (as one option) or paste. Additionally, most local Asian stores should have all kinds of wasabi. If you can find, I highly recommend grating fresh wasabi!
What else can I use this wasabi mayonnaise on? You can use it on anything! Some ideas are roasted asparagus dipped in the mayo, on roasted bell peppers as a side, or even as a dressing for a tomato salad. the ideas are endless!
Can I use something other than ahi tuna for this recipe? Seared salmon, yellowtail or albacore would be great for this! You can also do raw scallops too as another idea!
PS: if you love ahi tuna as much as I do, be sure to check out our Ahi Tuna Poke Bowls and our Shoyu Ahi Tuna Tataki.
More appetizers to check out
- Roasted Garlic & Herb Yogurt Dip
- Spiced Lamb Pita Chips with Whipped Feta
- Mushroom & Sage Toasts with Whipped Goat Cheese
- Lemon Haricots Verts (French Green Beans) With Crispy Shallots
If you do make this ahi tuna appetizer recipe (first of all, thank you!!), be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and through social media so I can be sure to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest to your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter here as well!
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Seared Ahi Tuna Cucumber Bites with Wasabi Mayo
Ingredients
For your ahi tuna
- 1 pound sushi grade ahi tuna
- 1/3 cup white sesame seeds
- 1/3 cup black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 english cucumbers, Persian cucumbers can work too
- thinly sliced chopped chives to garnish, edible flowers to garnish (optional)
For your wasabi mayo
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons wasabi paste, powder, or fresh, adjust with less or more to your preference of spicy
- 1/2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- salt and sugar to taste
Instructions
- Prep cucumbers. Slice your cucumbers in rounds. I wanted mine to be a little thicker, but you can cut them to your desired thickness. Set aside.
- TIP: At this point, to add some extra flavor to your cucumbers, you can salt them to let out their excess moisture, wash and dry.
- Make your wasabi mayo. Mix together mayo, wasabi, rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar until all combined. Set aside.
- Next, take your ahi tuna and add in a plate with sesame oil and then coat it in a plate of your assorted sesame seeds.
- Sear in a skillet or on a grill 20-30 seconds on each side until the outsides of the ahi are a lighter brown color, while keeping the ahi medium rare inside. Remove from the skillet, cool and slice to your desired thickness for the bites.
- Assemble! Take your cucumbers, add on your sliced seared ahi tuna, top with a dollop of wasabi mayo, and finish with chives and edible flowers. Serve!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We’ve made these three times this summer, and are making them again for a happy hour today. Always a hit.
Hi Erik, sounds amazing! So glad you’ve enjoyed and thank you so much for your review!
Excellent and easy! We seared the tuna a minute a side and it was perfect! Everyone loved it!
Sounds amazing, thanks for trying it out and for the review, Cathe!