Description
This recipe features perfectly seared tuna steaks with a vibrant Smoked Paprika-Lime Rub, offering a delicious and healthy dinner ready in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tuna steaks (170–200 g each, 2.5 cm thick), fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- zest of 1 small lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus wedge for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Tuna: Pat the tuna steaks very dry with paper towels.
- Season Tuna: Lightly brush each tuna steak with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, fine sea salt, black pepper, and lime zest. Sprinkle this rub generously over both sides of the tuna steaks.
- Heat Skillet: Place a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat and heat until very hot and a faint wisp of smoke appears, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sear Tuna: Carefully place the seasoned tuna steaks in the hot skillet. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature of 52 C / 125 F), or adjust to your preferred doneness.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the tuna steaks from the skillet and let them rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top before slicing and serving.
Notes
For best results, opt for sushi-grade tuna if available. Choose sustainably sourced, pole-and-line caught tuna. Frozen tuna thaws well overnight in the refrigerator. Consider avocado or grapeseed oil for high-heat searing. For variation, use Cajun seasoning, lemon-herb blend, or a soy-ginger marinade. Tuna can also be grilled for a smoky flavor or baked at 200 C (400 F) for 8-12 minutes, adjusting times for thickness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tuna steak (approx 185 g)
- Calories: 280 calories
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg