Pan-Seared Snow Tuna with Garlic Butter and Lemon
A quick seared snow tuna steak served with a fragrant garlic butter sauce and a fresh splash of lemon for brightness. This japanese-inspired seafood ready in about 12 minutes pairs snow tuna steak, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz snow tuna steak
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season an 8 oz snow tuna steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper on both sides. Place the tuna in the hot skillet and sear for 2 minutes without moving to develop a golden crust.
- Step 2: Flip the tuna and sear the other side for 1.5 minutes for medium-rare doneness, then transfer the steak to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir the butter and garlic together, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and the butter is melted but not browned.
- Step 4: Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley to the garlic butter sauce.
- Step 5: Slice the rested tuna steak against the grain and drizzle the garlic lemon butter over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Snow Tuna with Garlic Butter and Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Snow Tuna with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep snow tuna steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Snow Tuna with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Snow Tuna with Garlic Butter and Lemon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Snow Tuna with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Japanese seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
