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    Culinary Lion » Recipes » Keto Dinner Recipes » How to Sear Blackened Tuna Steak

    How to Sear Blackened Tuna Steak

    by Frank Campanella 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Blackened tuna is a quick flavorful preparation that is great served on its own or served over salad or your favorite veggies. The spicy crust is a flavor bomb in every bite.

    seared blackened tuna with tomatoes and arugula

    How to Sear Blackened Tuna

    Blackened Tuna Steaks are one of my favorite ways to prepare tuna. The charred spicy outer crust and the tender rare center are the perfect flavor and textural contrast. Blackened tuna is seared at very high heat in a pan or on a grill using clarified butter (ghee) or a high smoke point oil like avocado oil.

    Blackened tuna with a fork

    Unlike beef you want to keep the tuna refrigerated until it’s time to sear. you want the tuna to be as cold as possible so you can keep the center rare and develop a crust on the outside. Ensure the pan is hot before adding the oil and seasoning the tuna.

    sliced rare blackened tuna

    Seasoning Blackened Tuna Steaks

    You can use Cajun or Blackening seasoning to season your tuna steaks. Both contain a lot of salt, but I still recommend seasoning liberally so you get the best crust. My absolute favorite seasoning to use for blackening fish is Chef Paul Blackened Redfish Magic. It has the best flavor and spice level, in my opinion.

    rare tuna on a black plate

    Best Pan For Searing Blackened Tuna Steak

    I am a big fan of using carbon steel pans for high-heat searing. Cast iron also works well, but I find they take a while to heat up. Carbon steel gives you the searing ability but takes a fraction of the time to heat up and cool down. Avoid searing with a nonstick pan due to the fact that they are not designed for high-heat cooking.

    rare blackened tuna over arugula with caesar dressing

    Slicing Tuna Steaks

    Having a sharp knife is probably the most important thing when slicing tuna. Before slicing, sharpen your knife using honing steel or a handheld knife sharpener. After you sharpen the knife, wipe it off with a damp cloth before slicing. Make small, even slices cutting across the grain of the tuna steak. I also recommend letting the tuna rest for just a minute or two once you have removed the tuna from the pan.

    rare blackened tuna sliced on a plate

    What is the difference between Yellowfin and Ahi Tuna?

    Ahi and yellowfin are actually just different names for the same species of tuna. Ahi is a term often used with tuna from Hawaii, but yellowfin can be caught in many different parts of the world.

    Is Tuna Healthy to Eat?

    Tuna is a fantastic source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Its overall low in calories and fat containing only 145 calories and 3.5g of fat per 4oz portion. Tuna also contains virtually zero carbohydrates making it perfect for low carb lifestyles.

    sliced blackened tuna fanned out on a plate

    What is Better Albacore or Yellowfin Tuna?

    Albacore tuna also referred to as bonito, is one of the highest-quality tuna species. Albacore is is considered to be superior to yellowfin in flavor and texture. Both species can be consumed raw or rare and are used in all sorts of cuisine. Yellowfin tuna can grow to be much larger, maxing out at around 400 lbs, whereas albacore tuna top out at around 55 lbs.

    Can I Eat Tuna Raw?

    Generally, tuna is considered safe to eat raw. Make sure to purchase from a reputable source. Frozen tuna can sometimes be safer than fresh because freezing the tuna can kill any possible parasites. Due to the amount of mercury in tuna it is recommended to limit your consumption. For Pregnant women, it is recommended to avoid tuna and other predatory fish. To learn more checkout this article about how much tuna is safe to eat.

    blackened tuna on a black plate with lettuce and tomatoes

    More Low Carb Seafood Recipes

    • Seafood Imperial
    • Low Carb Crab Cakes
    • Clams Casino
    • Piccata Fish Cakes
    • Sriracha Lobster Roll Tacos
    • Crab Dip

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    sliced blackened tuna fanned out on a plate

    Blackened Tuna Steaks

    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: Blackened, Tuna
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 251kcal
    Author: Culinary Lion

    Equipment

    • Carbon steel or cast iron pan

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz Yellowfin Tuna Steaks 2 6oz filets
    • 2 tbsp Clarified Butter Ghee or Avocado Oil
    • 1 tbsp Blackening Seasoning

    Instructions

    • heat your pan over high heat, once hot add your clarified butter to the pan.
    • Season both sides of your tuna steaks then place then in the pan away from you so not to splash hot oil onto yourself. Sear for about 30-45 seconds per side until each side has a dark almost black crust. Remove immediately from the pan and rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing into thin strips.

    Notes

    Each portion is 4oz.
    Make sure the exhaust fan is on high and you have a window cracked because this method can create a lot of smoke. doing this outside is not a bad idea whenever possible.
    blackened tuna is great on its own or served with a dipping sauces like sugar free bbq, ranch, bleu cheese or honey mustard. I also serve it over salads or along side cauliflower mash or cauliflower rice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 251kcal | Protein: 26g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 400mg | Potassium: 286mg | Vitamin A: 2475IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Facts
    Blackened Tuna Steaks
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 251 Calories from Fat 144
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 16g25%
    Saturated Fat 8g50%
    Cholesterol 69mg23%
    Sodium 400mg17%
    Potassium 286mg8%
    Protein 26g52%
    Vitamin A 2475IU50%
    Calcium 9mg1%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Colleen

      May 15, 2021 at 3:05 am

      This looks amazing. What is the garnish on top of the tuna? It looks like a chutney, but it also looks like just a finer chopped up bit of the salad (spinach and tomato?).

      Reply
      • Culinary Lion

        May 16, 2021 at 2:11 pm

        Its a chimichurri sauce on my other website grilling24x7.com

        Reply

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    Frank

    Hey Everyone, My name is Frank Campanella. I've spent the last 20 years as a chef in restaurants throughout the mid Atlantic cooking everything from seafood and steak to classic pub grub. Now I'm taking all thoses recipes and giving them a low carb/ Keto facelift. I hope you love flavorful delicious food because that is the only recipe you will find here. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to sign up for the mailing list so you can get all the latest recipes.

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