Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (2024)

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This easy recipe for grilled blackened tuna steaks will have your family begging for more! The perfect blend of spices creates a delicious crust that seals in the flavor of the tuna, resulting in a juicy, flavorful steak that’s sure to please. And best of all, it only takes a few minutes to prepare. So fire up the grill and enjoy a healthy, delicious meal that the whole family will love!

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (1)

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe

This Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. The tuna steaks are marinated in a blackening seasoning mixture then grilled to perfection. If you are looking for the best blackened tuna recipe this is it! A bold spicy dry rub, with tender tuna steaks makes for a seafood restaurant quality meal made at home that is super easy to make.

We are a big seafood loving household and tuna steaks being one of the kids favorites, this tuna recipe is one that we make often. It is so easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple ingredients, you get bold flavors in an easy to make tuna steaks recipe that the whole family will love.

Serve this tuna steak recipe with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal. Your family will love this tasty and nutritious seafood dish. We have lots of side dish suggestions below for you to make too!

Seafood Dinner Recipes

  • Air Fryer Cod
  • Shrimp Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
  • Oven Baked Salmon
  • Lemon Garlic Shrimp
  • Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (2)

How do you make blackened seasoning?

Blackened seasoning is a blend of spices that are typically used to coat fish or chicken before cooking. The most common spices in blackening spice seasoning are paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and dried thyme.

For our Blackened seasoning used in this recipe you will have extra seasoning. Store the extra seasoning in a mason jar and use the seasoning mix anytime you are going to be making a blackened tuna steak for dinner.

Blackening Seasoning Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons Paprika
  • 2 tablespoons Smoked Paprika
  • 2 tablespoons Garlic Powder
  • 2 tablespoons Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Black Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Cumin
  • 1-2 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (3)

How long should you grill tuna steaks for?

Tuna steaks should be grilled for about 1-2 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcook the tuna, as it can become dry and tough.

How should a tuna steak be cooked?

A tuna steak should be cooked until it is slightly pink center. Overcooking will result in a dry and tough tuna steak, so be carefully not to overcook them.

Can I cook this recipe without a grill?

I personally like grilling my tuna steaks, but you can use a large skillet or a grill pan over medium heat on the stove if you do not have a grill. This recipe can also be made in the oven! Just preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake the tuna steaks for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (4)

How Long Does Blackened Tuna Last in the Fridge?

Cooked blackened tuna will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store cooked tuna in an airtight container in the fridge.

How Long Does Blackened Tuna Last in the Freezer?

Cooked blackened tuna will last in the freezer for up to 2 months. Store cooked tuna in an airtight container in the freezer.

How do you Reheat Grilled Tuna Steaks?

To reheat, thaw frozen tuna in the fridge overnight then heat in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through. Or, place frozen tuna on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.

Can Tuna Steaks be eaten cold?

After you have cooked the tuna steaks you can eat them cold instead of reheating them if you want to. I like adding cold tuna steaks on top of a green salad the next day after we have had tuna steaks for dinner.

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (5)

Tips for the Perfect Blackened Tuna Steaks

  • Dry the tuna steaks. Be sure to pat the tuna steaks dry with a paper towel before coating them in the blackening seasoning. This will help the seasoning to stick to the fish and create a delicious crust.
  • Oil the grill or butter in the pan. Be sure to oil the grill grates before cooking the tuna steaks to prevent sticking if you are cooking the tuna steaks on a skillet be sure to use butter in the pan.
  • Fresh or frozen tuna steaks. I like grabbing fresh tuna steaks from the seafood counter or the local fishery when I am at the beach as I find they work best, but you can use frozen tuna steaks as well, but make sure you defrost them fully before cooking them.
  • Don’t overcook. You do not need more then a few minutes of cook time for tuna steaks, you do not want to cook them more then 3-5 minutes total (1-2 minutes per side of the fish) or you will have a dried out tuna steak.
  • Extra seasoning blend. When you are making the blackened seasoning for this recipe it does make quite a bit, you will have left overs so do not dip the sides of tuna steaks into the seasoning, sprinkle it on with a spoon and then use your hands to rub it on the fish. Then you can store the remaining seasoning in a mason jar to use later.
Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (6)

What are some good sides to serve with grilled tuna?

Some good sides to serve with grilled tuna include roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, and a green salad. You can also serve these grilled tuna steaks with rice or quinoa. Pasta or roasted sweet potatoes would also be delicious. For a complete meal, don’t forget to add a side of grilled fruit! Grilled peaches or pineapple would be a perfect addition to this dish.

Check out some of our favorite sides to serve with tuna steaks:

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Parmesan Asparagus

How to Serve Blackened Tuna?

  • Serve as the main dish. You can enjoy the blackened tuna steaks as is and serve it with sides.
  • Make tacos. You can also use it to make tuna tacos and top them with some lettuce, tomatoes and tartar sauce for a delicious tuna tacos.
Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (7)

Blackened Tuna Steaks Ingredients

  • Fresh Tuna Steaks
  • Italian seasoning
  • Paprika
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Salt
  • Onion Powder
  • Black Pepper
  • Cumin
  • Cayenne Pepper

How to Make Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks

Preheat the grill to medium heat. Making sure the grill grates are clean.

In a small bowl mix together all the ingredients for the blacking season together.

Take some paper towels and pat the tuna steaks dry on both sides.

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (8)

Rub the blacking season onto both sides of a raw tuna steak. Do this for each tuna steak you have.Do not dip the steaks into the seasoning, you want to be able to store any extra that you have left over to use later.

Store any extra seasoning in an airtight container.

Heat the grill to 350°F.

Place steaks on the grill for 1-2 minutes per side being careful not to overcook the tuna.

Drizzle the lemon juice or lime juice over the tuna and serve.

Easy Tuna Recipes

  • Tuna Melt Sandwich
  • Tuna Melt Stuffed Peppers
  • Tuna Noodle Casserole
  • Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (9)

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe

Created by Lauren

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

This easy recipe for grilled blackened tuna steaks will have your family begging for more! The perfect blend of spices creates a delicious crust that seals in the flavor of the tuna, resulting in a juicy, flavorful steak that's sure to please. And best of all, it only takes a few minutes to prepare. So fire up the grill and enjoy a healthy, delicious meal that the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. Making sure the grill grates are clean.

  • In a small bowl mix together all the ingredients for the blacking season together.

  • Take some paper towels and pat the tuna steaks dry on both sides.

  • Rub the blacking season onto both sides of a raw tuna steak. Do this for each tuna steak you have.Do not dip the steaks into the seasoning, you want to be able to store any extra that you have left over to use later.

  • Store any extra seasoning in an airtight container.

  • Heat the grill to 350°F.

  • Place steaks on the grill for 1-2 minutes per side being careful not to overcook the tuna.

  • Drizzle the lemon juice or lime juice over the tuna and serve.

Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 3501mg | Potassium: 329mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3747IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 4mg

Blackened Tuna Steaks

Dinner

Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (10)

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Grilled Blackened Tuna Steaks Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What seasoning is good for tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads. Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch. Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor.

How do you grill tuna without drying it out? ›

To grill the tuna, get a charcoal or stove-top cast-iron grill very hot. Brush the fish with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill each side for only 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. The center should be raw, like sushi, or the tuna will be tough and dry.

How to grill tuna steak well done? ›

How long to grill tuna steaks
  1. Rare (115°F) 4 to 6 minutes, turning once.
  2. Medium-rare (120°F) 6 to 8 minutes, turning once.
  3. Medium (135°F) 10 to 12 minutes, turning once.
  4. Medium-well (140°F) 13 to 15 minutes, turning once.
  5. Well-done (145°F) 16 to 18 minutes, turning once.
Jul 24, 2023

What does blackened mean on tuna? ›

Blackened tuna is fresh tuna that is seasoned with a dry rub of spices, mainly paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. The tuna is seared over high heat in a skillet until crispy and black on the outside and rare on the inside.

Do you flip tuna steaks on the grill? ›

Turn fish and repeat on second side. For an ideal doneness of rare, cook the fish long enough to sear each side, and no longer. You should be able to watch the heat penetrate the fish from each side because tuna changes color so dramatically, from a deep purple when raw to a beige when cooked.

How do you know when tuna is done on the grill? ›

Place the tuna steaks on the grill, directly over the heat. Grill for 3 minutes on each side, or less, depending on your preference. Tuna should be firm with pink in the middle and reach an internal temperature of 145ºF on a digital meat thermometer. Serve them whole or slice into ¼” strips.

How is tuna steak supposed to be cooked? ›

Brush the tuna steaks lightly with oil, and season. Put the tuna steaks into a heated frying pan over a high heat and allow to cook for 1-2 mins, depending on how thick the tuna steaks are. Turn the tuna over and cook for 1-2 mins on the other side.

Why is my tuna steak tough? ›

Tuna steaks need a watchful eye during cooking to remain tender and moist. Don't be turned off if your tuna looks medium-rare, whether you're baking tuna steak, skillet-cooking tuna steak, or grilling it. Because tuna steaks get dry and chewy when overcooked, the center should still be pink when it's done cooking.

How to cook tuna steak Bobby Flay? ›

Heat grill to high. Brush the tuna steaks with the 1 tablespoon of oil and season and salt and pepper. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes on both sides or until just cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes then flake with a fork.

What is the best method of cooking tuna? ›

The trick to cooking tuna steak perfectly is a screaming hot skillet so you can sear the outside nicely while keeping the inside raw. It has to be super-hot because it's only on the stove for 2 1/2 minutes! Oil and season steaks – Rub oil on the tuna steak then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

What is the difference between grilled and blackened? ›

Grilling involves cooking food over an open flame or gas grill, while blackening is a specific technique that involves seasoning the food with a blend of spices and searing it in a hot pan until it forms a dark, crispy crust. The main difference between blackening and grilling is the seasoning.

Why is my tuna steak black? ›

Tuna dark meat color will depend on the amount of hemoglobin and myoglobin contained inside the meat muscle. The darker the tuna meat is, meaning they have more hemoglobin and myoglobin inside while the lighter the tuna meat is, meaning they have less hemoglobin and myoglobin inside.

What is the black part of the tuna steak? ›

What is the black or dark red on tuna and swordfish and is it okay to eat? That dark, nearly black area in the middle of your tuna or swordfish steak is nothing bad or unhealthy, although you may not like its strong flavor. It is a muscle that is rich in myoglobin, a blood pigment.

Should I season tuna? ›

Seasoning your tuna steak beforehand will allow the ahi tuna to absorb more of the marinade's flavors and make for a more delicious steak. If you're not sure what flavors to add to your ahi tuna, consider any of these tasty options: Salt and pepper: Never underestimate the seasoning power of a little salt and pepper.

What seasoning is good on fish? ›

The Best Herbs & Spices For Seasoning Fish
  • Basil. Lemon and basil are a match made in heaven! ...
  • Parsley. Parsley is a perfect addition to pan-fried fish, with a slightly bitter aroma that can balance savoury dishes. ...
  • Dill. ...
  • Lemongrass. ...
  • Rosemary. ...
  • Thyme. ...
  • Sage. ...
  • Smoked Paprika.
Nov 13, 2021

What condiments go on tuna? ›

11 Best Sauces For Tuna Steak (Sauce For Tuna Steaks)
  1. Condiments.
  2. • 1 Garlic herb sauce.
  3. • 1 Honey soy sauce.
  4. • 1 Lemon caper sauce.
  5. • 1 Lemon dijon cream sauce.
  6. • 1 Mayo sauce, Spicy.
  7. • 1 Peppercorn sauce.
  8. • 1 Punzu sauce.

What tuna has the best flavor? ›

Bluefins are widely regarded as the Kings of the Tuna family, and rightfully so. Thanks to a number of physical attributes, Bluefins boast a richness of flavor you just won't find in another fish. Bluefin Tuna are almost exclusively found in the form of sashimi.

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