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close up of a sliced ahi tuna salad showing the pink inside of the ahi tuna and the sesame crust on the outside, drizzled with a goma sesame dressing on a bed of avocado, cucumber, carrots, crispy wontons and more

Ahi Tuna Salad

This Ahi Tuna Salad is a bright and tasty tuna salad recipe that uses fresh Ahi tuna seared with a sesame crust for a minute. After slicing the tuna, it's served over a vibrant delicious salad with a luscious Goma sesame dressing to bring out the flavors..

Course Main Course, Main Dish, Salad, salad dressing
Cuisine Asian, Hawaiian
Keyword Ahi tuna, ahi tuna recipes, ahi tuna salad, how to cook tuna, salad recipes, tuna, tuna recipes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 698 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Tuna

  • 2 Ahi Tuna Steaks fresh or defrosted overnight in the fridge
  • 2 Tablespoons White sesame seeds
  • 2 Tablespoons Black sesame seeds
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil

Goma Dressing

  • 4 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds toasted
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise Japanese Mayonnaise Kewpie
  • 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoon sugar

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups Salad Greens
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 avocados sliced
  • 1 cucumber sliced
  • 1 red onion sliced
  • 1 jalapeno sliced
  • 2 green onions
  • 1/2 cup crispy noodles
  • 1/4 cup cashews optional
  • 1/4 cup shelled edamame optional

Instructions

  1. Start by making the dressing. Place all ingredients in a small food processor and blend until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding 1-2 Tablespoons water. Set aside.
    Sesame salad dressing ready in a bowl of a food processor, A hand showing close up of how smooth it is
  2. To prepare the tuna steaks. Season on both sides with olive oil and the sesame seeds.
    Tuna seasoned with black and white sesame seeds on both sides
  3. Preheat a grill pan over medium high heat and sear the tuna steaks for 3 mins per side until slightly charred with grill marks. The tuna should still be raw on the inside.
    Seared ahi tuna in a grill pan ready
  4. Let the tuna steaks rest for 5 minutes while you assemble the salad.
  5. In a large plate, arrange the salad ingredients. Add more or less of your favorite ingredients to the salad.
    Salad ingredients including some cucumbers, some shredded carrots, greens, green onions, crispy wontons, red onions, avocados, cilantro, jalapenos
  6. Slice the tuna steak into strips and arrange them over the salad.
    A hand thinly slicing the seared tuna steaks and holding one slice showing the pink inside of the fish and the golden seared sesame crust
  7. Drizzle the salad dressing over the salad and serve right away.
    A hand pouring the sesame dressing over a bowl with the salad ingredients
  8. Enjoy

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Ahi Tuna Salad Recipe Tips

  1. Make sure to source fresh fish, as always when it comes to ahi tuna since it wouldn't cook through.
  2. The fish doesn't require marinades or seasoning other than the sesame seeds.
  3. When cooking the fish, make sure you sear it for just 1-2 minutes per side. You don't need to cook it through, but simply create a crust on both sides.
  4. Avoid overcooking the fish as it is a very dry fish.
  5. For the dressing, toasting the sesame is crucial for flavor. Make sure to taost the seeds in a non stick skillet with no oil at all until golden in color. 
  6. You can make your own wonton crisps by frying them or buying them ready at the store in the salad dressing or ethnic foods aisle.
  7. The dressing can be made up to 7 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

What is Ahi Tuna?

This delicacy of a fish aslo known as yellowfin tuna is found primarily in tropical and subtropical climates. Ahi tuna is a great source of lean protein as it contains minimal fat compared to other fish. That's why it easily dries out when cooked well, and that's why it's primarily consumed raw in sushi recipes or cured. 

Can you eat Raw Tuna?

There will always be some of us who shouldn't consume raw seafood. So it's not for everyone, and if so you can opt to cook the tuna and get rid of parasites and reduce the risk of food borne illnesses. However for the majority of people, its is safe to eat fresh raw tuna--make sure it is sushi grade tuna. Most of the sushi grade tuna has been frozen at -30 degrees F as a way to remove parasites.

Is Ahi Tuna healthy?

The fish is super healthy and rich in lean protein, low in carbs and high in nutrients like vitamin B. It doesn’t however offer the same richness of omega-3 nutrients contained in most fish. 

How to Store Leftovers?

The leftover seared ahi tuna can be stored separately in the fridge for 3 days, the salad dressing is good for upto 7 days, and the veggies are subjective. Depending on the choice of veggies you choose, you may notice that lettuce wits within a day, while carrots and cucumbers may last up to 3 days. Overall 2 days is the average storing time for the salad. 

Can you Freeze Ahi tuna?

While it's a great privilege to be able to eat fresh seafood, we can often find ourselves forced to change plans and freeze the fish for another day. It happens to all of us. In this case, wrap the tuna in a ziploc bag and freeze for a maximum of 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and enjoy the next day!

Nutrition Facts
Ahi Tuna Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 698 Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Fat 53g82%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 15g
Monounsaturated Fat 26g
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 713mg31%
Potassium 1205mg34%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 7738IU155%
Vitamin C 26mg32%
Calcium 225mg23%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.