Seared Albacore Tuna with Lemon Ponzu Sauce
on Aug 25, 2022, Updated Mar 04, 2024
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This seared albacore tuna recipe with a lemon ponzu sauce is the ultimate easy dinner! Serve with white rice and lemony garlic broccolini, this is a repeat dinner for us! It comes together really quickly, and it super satisfying when it all comes together. The flavors are just amazing.
You need this! We’re serving with white rice and lemon garlic broccolini, but you can serve it with sides like our Lemon Haricots Verts With Crispy Shallots! You can also toss this with greens to make a salad as well.
What ingredients do you need for this seared albacore tuna?
Tuna: Tuna steaks, albacore tuna loins, ahi tuna steaks, even yellowtail or sashimi, sushi-grade salmon will all work here if you want to sub out albacore!
Sesame seeds: I’m using black and white sesame seeds here, but you can just use white if you prefer. I’m also using black salt to coat the albacore steaks but that’s also optional!
Olive oil or sesame oil: To coat the tuna and sear it!
For the lemon ponzu sauce: lemon juice, ponzu, scallions, sesame seeds and soy sauce (optional to add on sesame oil, or fresh grated ginger and grated garlic cloves as well!)
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions to make this seared albacore tuna
Make your lemon ponzu sauce
In a bowl, toss lemon juice, lemon zest if you would like as well, ponzu sauce, thinly sliced scallions, sesame seeds and soy sauce. Set aside.
Prep your tuna
Make sure you’re getting sushi-grade fish! Prep and drizzle oil of your choice over it. In the meantime, layer sesame seeds (and/or) salt and pepper (I’m using black salt!) on a platter.
Take your tuna and coat completely in the sesame seed mixture on all sides.
How to sear albacore tuna
In a nonstick skillet/hot pan with a drizzle of oil (of choice, but use a neutral oil), heat up your oil, add on your tuna sear for 30 seconds on each side on medium-high heat for a light sear and raw inside, until the outsides of the ahi are a lighter brown color and your seeds are toasted (but not burned), while keeping the inside more on the rare side.
Recipe Tip
If you prefer your albacore tuna more medium rare or cooked all the way through, keep going until fully cooked, about 1-2 minutes on each side. This will also vary depending on the thickness of your steak.
Remove from the skillet, cool for 5 minutes, and sliced into thick cut slices.
Assemble
Assemble your sliced albacore steaks and serve with your favorites sides and grains. We are serving with fluffy white rice and garlic lemon broccolini.
More tuna and seafood recipes you’ll love
- Ahi Tuna Poke
- Tuna Crudo with Citrus Caper Vinaigrette
- Seared Ahi Tuna with Toasted Sesame Dressing
- Seared Ahi Tuna Cucumber Bites with Wasabi Mayo
- Mixed Herb Pesto Pasta with Albacore Tuna
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Watch How To Make This Recipe
Seared Albacore Tuna with Lemon Ponzu Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
For Your Seared Albacore Tuna
- 1 pound sushi-grade albacore tuna
- 1/2 cup black and white sesame seeds
- drizzle of neutral oil/ toasted sesame oil for coating and searing
For Your Lemon Ponzu Sauce
- 1/3 cup sliced scallions
- 2 tablespoons ponzu sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- juice of 1/2 lemon, plus more up to your preference
Instructions
- Make your lemon ponzu sauce. In a bowl, toss lemon juice, lemon zest if you would like as well, ponzu sauce, thinly sliced scallions, sesame seeds and soy sauce. Set aside.
- Prep your tuna. Make sure you’re getting sushi-grade fish! Prep and drizzle oil of your choice over it. In the meantime, layer sesame seeds (and/or) salt and pepper (I’m using black salt!) on a platter. Take your tuna and coat completely in the sesame seed mixture on all sides.
- Sear tuna. In a nonstick skillet/hot pan with a drizzle of oil (of choice, but use a neutral oil), heat up your oil, add on your tuna sear for 30 seconds on each side on medium-high heat for a light sear and raw inside, until the outsides of the ahi are a lighter brown color and your seeds are toasted (but not burned), while keeping the inside more on the rare side.
- *If you prefer your albacore tuna more medium rare or cooked all the way through, keep going until fully cooked, about 1-2 minutes on each side. This will also vary depending on the thickness of your steak.
- Remove from the skillet, cool for 5 minutes, and sliced into thick cut slices.
- Assemble your sliced albacore steaks and serve with your favorites sides and grains and drizzle over your lemon ponzu sauce. We are serving with fluffy white rice and garlic lemon broccolini.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Great site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also
When do I use the ponzu sauce?
In step 1, making the lemon ponzu sauce. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Looks great but unclear when do you use the ponzu sauce in the recipe? Are you marinating the tuna in it before you sear? Or are you not cooking with it, and dressing your tuna and vegetables with it after they’re cooked?
Hi Lindsay! You add the ponzu sauce in step 1, when you make the lemon ponzu sauce: “Make your lemon ponzu sauce. In a bowl, toss lemon juice, lemon zest if you would like as well, ponzu sauce, thinly sliced scallions, sesame seeds and soy sauce. Set aside.”
I have the exact same question as above. When/how do you use the sauce. I am making it right now…..and since no response, I will assume as a drizzle when serving.
Hi John! You add the ponzu sauce in step 1, when you make the lemon ponzu sauce: “Make your lemon ponzu sauce. In a bowl, toss lemon juice, lemon zest if you would like as well, ponzu sauce, thinly sliced scallions, sesame seeds and soy sauce. Set aside.” Then you’ll drizzle the lemon ponzu sauce over your seared tuna. I hope this helps!