Blackened Balsamic Tuna Steaks
This Blackened Balsamic Tuna Steaks recipe is a breeze to prepare and cook, offering a perfect blend of spicy Cajun seasoning and sweet balsamic vinaigrette for full-on flavor.
Servings: 2
Calories: 376kcal
Ingredients
For the Tuna
- 2 (6 ounces each) fresh Ahi Tuna Steaks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Marinade
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Blackened Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat dry the ahi tuna steaks with paper towels and place them in a large plastic zip-top bag.
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt; remove half of the sauce/marinade and transfer it to a small serving bowl. Set it aside.
- Pour the rest of the marinade into the plastic bag with the tuna. Close the bag and massage the liquid around to coat the tuna steaks. Let stand for 10 minutes. (You can also refrigerate overnight.)
- In the meantime, in a small bowl combine the paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the tuna steaks from the marinade and sprinkle all sides of the steaks with the seasoning mix, pressing down to adhere.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until smoking hot. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the hot skillet.
- Place the tuna steaks in the pan; cook for about 2 minutes per side, for medium rare.
- Transfer the tuna steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Thinly slice the tuna and serve with the reserved sauce.
Notes
- Thickness: This recipe works best with tuna steaks that are at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks will overcook. If they are thinner, try cooking them for a minute per side.
- Tuna Steak Selection: Opt for fresh ahi tuna steaks or thawed frozen sushi-grade tuna for the best results in this recipe.
- Oil for Searing: Use a high-heat oil like vegetable oil to achieve a perfect sear. Don't use olive oil.
- Balanced Blackened Seasoning: Follow my recipe to make your own blackened seasoning, or buy a premade one.
- Prep Your Sides: With the tuna cooking in just a couple of minutes, have your side dishes ready to make sure everything is served hot and delicious.
Nutrition
Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1239mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 4433IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3mg