Best tuna steak recipes

Now check out our salmon recipes and trout recipes.

How to cook tuna steak

Tuna steaks are one of the easiest cuts of fish to cook as they are sold ready to hit the pan without much prep. Tuna is a firm meaty fish so can stand up to intense direct heat when cooking so is ideal for frying and barbecuing.

To prepare your tuna steak, put on a plate and brush each side with oil. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Tuna is also a great fish for marinating – try a simple mix of lemon juice, olive oil and chilli flakes or mix a little harissa or chipotle paste with oil and brush on before cooking.

Tuna is very similar to regular steak in that it can be served from extremely rare to well done so cooking times will depend on how you like your tuna. Follow these approximate timings to get yours how you like it (thinner steaks will take a little less time).

Rare tuna steak – cook for 30 seconds per side.

Medium tuna steak – cook for 1-2 minutes per side.

Well-done tuna steak – cook for 3 minutes per side.

If frying your tuna steak, choose a solid heavy based frying or chargrill and heat until very hot before cooking so the steak sears rather than steams. If cooking on a BBQ cook over direct heat. Once cooked it’s best to leave tuna to rest loosely under foil for 3-4 minutes before serving.

Tuna steak recipes

Tuna with marinated tomato and olive salad

Tomatoes and Kalamata olives add real colour and flavour to this vibrant Mediterranean-style tuna salad.

Tuna confit

Check out this easy yet impressive tuna confit recipe. Confiting the tuna gives it a lovely melting texture – you can serve the fish warm with green beans and a drizzle of balsamic, or cold as the basis of a superior salad niçoise.

Moroccan tuna kebabs with herb and lemon grains

Midweek menu falling flat? Lift your appetite with these Moroccan-spiced tuna kebabs ready in 15 minutes, served with nourishing grains and punchy harissa yogurt.

Tuna steak with bean salad and preserved lemon dressing

Fancy a healthy tuna recipe? This dish is under 400 calories per serving and only takes 20 minutes to make. After preparing the salad, put the tuna steaks in a pan and cook for 30 seconds on each side – quick to cook, healthy to eat. Try more of our quick healthy recipes here…

Tuna tostadas

Kick off a Mexican summer feast in style with these beautifully crisp, Asian-inspired tostadas, loaded up with fresh avocado, jalapeño and micro herbs.

Indonesian tuna (gohu ikan) in spicy and tangy citrus

Marinate high-quality tuna steak for fifteen minutes in this spicy and tangy sauce made of lime, chillies and oil for a colourful starter to impress your guests.

Seared tuna with ponzu dressing and coriander rice noodles

This seared tuna steak recipe is low calorie, low fat, and can be on your table in just 20 minutes. There are only three stages to making this dish: prepare the ponzu, boil the noodles then cook the tuna steaks. Assort the ingredients on a plate however you like, and there you have it – your healthy weekday meal, perfect after a long day at work.

Chargrilled tuna with harissa and potato stew

All the vegetables needed to make this tuna steak recipe are inexpensive and easy to get hold of, so you can enjoy a flavoursome meal at an affordable price. Boil the potatoes in one pan, whilst stewing the harissa and vegetables for 10 minutes in another. Cook the tuna steaks whilst preparing the vegetables, and place the steaks on top of the stew when plating up the meal. This midweek dish can be on your table in under thirty minutes and is an enjoyable meal in hot or cold weather.

Tuna steaks with chermoula

Impress your dinner guests in only thirty minutes with this tuna steak recipe. Marinate the tuna steaks in Moroccan chermoula for fifteen minutes before leaving the tuna steaks to BBQ. The perfect meal for a family gathering or BBQ with friends.

Tuna pasta recipes

Spicy tuna puttanesca recipe

This simple tuna pasta recipe is a speedy meal for two, taking only fifteen minutes to make. Boil the pasta in one pan, whilst heating SunBlush tomatoes, capers and black olives in another. Allow the vegetables to stew for 5 minutes before adding the tuna. Drain the pasta before mixing the ingredients from both pans to make a healthy, flavoursome meal. Try our top quick and easy pasta recipes here…

Spaghetti with tuna, capers and chilli

This is the perfect canned tuna recipe after a long day in the office. Simply boil and drain spaghetti before adding tinned tuna, capers, chilli, red onion, garlic and herbs. To give this dish an individual touch, add spices and herbs of your own choice.

Linguine with tuna, lemon and dill

Looking for a fresh tuna recipe that can feed a family in only twenty minutes? Our homely tuna pasta recipe is sure to be loved by everyone. Boil and drain fresh linguine before adding it to a bowl with tuna, lemon, dill and other herbs. Then, plate up as many servings as you need. Simple, but delicious. More quick and easy linguine ideas here…

Tuna salad recipes

Chargrilled tuna with crunchy lemon bulgar salad

Check out this low calorie tuna steak recipe that can be prepared in under thirty minutes. Place the bulgar wheat in a bowl of boiling water and drain well before adding it to the salad. Chargrill the tuna steaks and when finished, place the tuna on top of the bulgar salad for an aesthetic combination of meat and greens.

Seared tuna and radicchio salad

Our seared tuna and radicchio salad recipe is one of a select number of dishes that is low calorie, gluten free and ready in under 20 minutes. Whilst cooking the tuna steak in a frying pan, make the radicchio salad from chives, celery, leaves and beans before adding the dressing. Then, toss the salad well before placing the tuna steaks on top. Who said the healthiest meals have to be complicated?

Tamarind-glazed tuna with sugar snap and mango salad

This impressive tuna steak recipe can be eaten for lunch or dinner and is a great way to explore new flavours. Begin by spooning tamarind over the tuna steaks and leave to marinate for 20 minutes. Whilst cooking the tuna, boil the sugar snap and cut a mango into slices. Plate up these three ingredients together to discover how they complement each other perfectly.

Other tuna recipes

Tuna niçoise pâté

Our tuna niçoise pâté recipe is a great way to wow guests as a dinner party starter. Put tuna, butter, cream and lemon zest in a food processor and blend. Season the mixture and place it in a cling-filmed tin. Leave the mixture in a fridge to cool overnight, and serve the next day with hot toast, olives and capers; the perfect starter to impress your guests in under twenty minutes. More pâté recipes here…

Seared tuna tataki

Branch out of your typical canned tuna recipe with this healthy Asian dish. Rub sashimi-grade tuna with groundnut oil, salt and pepper. Sear the tuna for 20 seconds on each side in a non-stick pan, then coat the tuna with mustard and sesame seeds. Leave to cool in the fridge for 20 minutes and you will have a unique tuna dish which amounts to only 211 calories.