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Perfectly Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks with Garlic Herb Butter

Close-up of a perfectly seared tuna steak, rare in the center, topped with a glistening herb and spice glaze.
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Learn the simple technique to achieve restaurant-quality, perfectly seared tuna steaks with a rosy center in under 15 minutes. Finish these quick tuna steaks with a rich garlic herb butter baste for an elegant, high-protein dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (6-ounce) ahi tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

  1. Pat the tuna steaks completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
  2. Place a heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works best) over high heat. Add the olive oil. Heat the oil until it just begins to smoke slightly.
  3. Carefully place the tuna steaks in the hot skillet. Sear for 90 seconds without moving them to build a dark crust.
  4. Flip the tuna steaks. Immediately add the butter, minced garlic, parsley, and thyme to the pan around the steaks.
  5. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to continuously baste the melting garlic herb butter over the tops of the tuna steaks for another 60 to 90 seconds.
  6. Remove the tuna from the pan immediately. Let the steaks rest on a cutting board for 3 minutes.
  7. Slice the tuna steaks against the grain into half-inch thick pieces. Serve immediately with the pan sauce spooned over the top.

Notes

  • For a rare center, aim for a total cook time of 3 minutes. For medium-rare, increase the searing time on the second side to 2 minutes.
  • You can substitute soy sauce and sesame oil for the herbs to create an Asian-inspired flavor profile.
  • Use the highest quality, sushi-grade tuna you can find for the best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://seventhflavour.com/tuna-steak-perfectly-seared-garlic-butter/