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Blackened Tuna Steak: Restaurant-Style Crust in Minutes

Close-up of three thick slices of perfectly cooked Blackened Tuna Steak showing a bright pink, rare center and a dark, heavily seasoned crust.
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Learn how to cook a perfect blackened tuna steak with a spicy Cajun crust using your grill, skillet, or air fryer. This easy tuna dinner is ready fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (6 ounce) tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Pat the tuna steaks completely dry with paper towels. This helps create a good crust.
  2. Brush both sides of the tuna steaks lightly with olive oil.
  3. Place the Cajun seasoning on a shallow plate. Press each side of the tuna steaks firmly into the seasoning until fully coated.
  4. If using a skillet: Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron works best) over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the melted butter. Sear the tuna for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side for rare/medium-rare (internal temperature 125°F).
  5. If using a grill: Preheat your grill to high heat. Grill the tuna for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
  6. If using an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, for medium-rare.
  7. Remove the blackened tuna steak from the heat and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Notes

  • For a medium doneness, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F, cooking about 1 minute longer per side.
  • This spicy tuna steak pairs well with a fresh avocado-mango salsa for a great healthy tuna recipe.
  • To meal-prep marinades, you can mix the Cajun seasoning with a little olive oil and brush it on the tuna a few hours before cooking, then proceed with searing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/blackened-tuna-steak-recipe-quick-cajun-dinner/