Many of the best tasting tuna live in the waters off of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. These types of tuna include the Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Blackfin. If you’re not equipped with a boat, don’t worry, check out the Publix tuna steak selections or other grocery store. Each can be cooked in various ways, but one of the most popular methods for cooking tuna is by following a seared tuna recipe. When preparing pan seared tuna, consider these tips.

What Type Of Tuna Is The Best When Seared?

The most popular tuna that is used in both sushi or seared is yellowfin tuna. The yellowfin tuna meat is what is referred to as ahi tuna in fish markets and restaurants. 

Bluefin is also equally good but harder to come by in restaurants, seafood markets, and targeting them by fishing the ocean. Searing is the best method if you’re wondering how to cook bluefin tuna in a pan.

The blackfin tuna is considered the lowest grade because the fillets are dark red instead of pink that the ahi tuna is known for. However, don’t worry the best blackfin tuna recipe is searing.

Depending on what is available and if you’re able to catch the more desirable of the three tuna’s in discussion, the yellowfin would be the best choice to sear. 

What Are The Benefits Of Eating Tuna?

One of the reasons that tuna is so frequently consumed is because of the health benefits. The flesh is high in the following nutrients.

  • Omega-3-Fatty Acids
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin D

Consuming tuna provides us with nutrients that help keep the body healthy. This holds true when cooking blackfin tuna, bluefin, or yellowfin.

What Cuts Of Tuna Can Be Seared?

The two most popular cuts of tuna to sear off are loins and tuna steaks. The loins are thick portions of the fillets with the skin removed. They are generally long and are cut from the upper part of the fish near the head. 

 A tuna steak is similar to what it sounds like. A section of the fillet of a large tuna is cut into the shape of a steak. The cut can be as thick or as thin as you prefer. This is not always the case when it comes to best way to cook blackfin tuna. A blackfin is much smaller, therefore, don’t expect to find a blackfin tuna recipe that involves preparing steaks. Blackfin tuna recipes are usually incorporating dicing the fillets or searing the loins.

On What Cooking Surfaces Can Tuna Be Seared?

When it comes to searing tuna, it can be cooked on a variety of surfaces. Some may be limited in how they can cook tuna while others will have the options to choose from. 

One of the most notable methods is to sear a tuna on a gas or electric cooktop in a well-oiled pan. The majority of people who prepare tuna will use a pan on the stove.

Another common way to sear off tuna is on the grill. A seared blackfin tuna recipe, yellowfin, or bluefin can be cooked on either gas or charcoal, depending on if you’re looking to add charcoal grill flavor. When using a grill, make sure that the flames are not near the cooking grates to avoid burning the outside of the fish.

The last and least popular way to sear tune is by using an electric griddle. The griddle reaches high enough temperatures to sear off tuna. The same holds true for how to cook blackfin tuna on an electric griddle as yellowfin and bluefin. However, blackfin tuna recipes will likely call for a shorter cook time due to the thickness of the cuts.

How Do You Sear Tuna?

What is most important to remember is that the temperature needs to be high whatever the cooking surface you choose. 

No matter if you’re following a seared ahi tuna recipe or tuna steak recipe, keep in mind that less is more. The cut of fish is already flavorful and does not require robust marinades. 

What Are Some Of The Seasonings That Can Be Added?

One of the more popular coatings on tuna is sesame seeds. Most sesame crusted tuna recipes call for coating the cut of meat in two different types of sesame seeds before searing.

A second option is to blacken the meat before frying. Dredge each side of the tuna in blackening seasoning before cooking. 

Tips On Searing Tuna

It doesn’t matter what cooking surface you are using; it must be extremely hot. 

When it comes to using a pan on the stove, a few different oils can be used. These include peanut oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, or olive oil. The best choices are peanut or grapeseed.

When the grill, griddle, or pan is heated to smoking temperatures, the tuna is ready to be cooked. This may be the most important tip of them all, don’t overcook the tuna, or you won’t be left with a pink center. Each side of the fish only needs twenty to thirty seconds if you like it cooked rare. 

Whether you purchase fish from the market or catch it offshore, use the tuna within a couple of days to maximize its fresh, natural flavors. 

Almost any ahi tuna recipe or tuna steak recipe will call for a side of soy sauce and wasabi sauce for dipping the rare seared sliced tuna in. 

Searing: Now You Know How To Cook Black Fin Tuna, Yellowfin or Bluefin

Now that you understand how to sear and realize how simple the process is, avoid visiting your local restaurant and cook seared tuna in the comfort of your own home to save money. While bluefin tuna and yellowfin, otherwise called ahi tuna, are preferable, blackfin tuna is nearly as delicious. Head offshore or visit the seafood market for your upcoming dinner plans.Â