Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steaks with Ginger-Soy Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-seared tuna steaks with a crunchy sesame crust, drizzled with a sweet and tangy ginger-soy glaze for an elegant yet easy dinner. This Asian Fusion-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 16 minutes, pairs tuna steaks, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, mix 1/4 cup black sesame seeds and 1/4 cup white sesame seeds. Pat dry 4 tuna steaks (6 oz each) and press each side firmly into the sesame seeds to coat evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sesame-crusted tuna steaks and sear for 2 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Remove from heat and rest for 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: While tuna cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a small bowl until honey dissolves.
  4. Step 4: Slice the tuna steaks against the grain and arrange on plates. Drizzle the ginger-soy glaze on top and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steaks with Ginger-Soy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steaks with Ginger-Soy Glaze?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steaks with Ginger-Soy Glaze?

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 Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steaks with Ginger-Soy Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna Steaks with Ginger-Soy Glaze?

Asian Fusion 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.

Related recipes