Pan-Seared Tuna with Ginger-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach
A quick Asian-inspired dish featuring pan-seared tuna steaks glazed with ginger-soy sauce, served atop sautéed sesame spinach. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each) tuna steaks, soy sauce, grated fresh ginger 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
- 2 (6 oz each) tuna steaks
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 2, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tsp sesame oil to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Pat dry 2 tuna steaks (6 oz each) and season lightly with 0.5 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tuna steaks and sear for 2.5 minutes on one side until golden.
- Step 4: Flip the tuna and brush 2 tbsp of the ginger-soy glaze over the cooked side. Cook an additional 2 minutes for medium-rare, brushing remaining glaze on the other side during the last minute.
- Step 5: Remove tuna from skillet and let rest.
- Step 6: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 7: Add 5 cups fresh spinach and a pinch of salt, tossing constantly for 2 minutes until wilted but still bright green.
- Step 8: Plate the spinach and top with the tuna steaks. Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds over the spinach and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Tuna with Ginger-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Tuna with Ginger-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach?
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 (6 oz each) tuna steaks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Tuna with Ginger-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach?
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 Tuna with Ginger-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach 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 Tuna with Ginger-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach?
Asian 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.
