Seared Lemon-Ginger Tuna with Citrus Salsa

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

A stimulating dish of pan-seared tuna enhanced by a zesty lemon-ginger marinade and topped with a vibrant citrus salsa for a revitalizing finish. This asian fusion-inspired seafood ready in about 31 minutes blends each tuna steaks, fresh lemon juice, finely grated fresh ginger into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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

• 4, 6 oz each tuna steaks
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp, finely grated fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp, divided olive oil
• 1 large, peeled and segmented orange
• 1/2 cup, finely diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped cilantro leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Place 4 tuna steaks in a shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Let marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
2. Step 2: While tuna marinates, combine 1 large peeled and segmented orange, 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves in a small bowl. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then gently toss to make the citrus salsa.
3. Step 3: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Remove tuna steaks from marinade, letting excess drip off, and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until just cooked through but still pink inside.
4. Step 4: Plate the seared tuna steaks and spoon the citrus salsa over each. Serve immediately to enjoy the invigorating combination of warm seared tuna and fresh, bright salsa.