One chunk of those seared ahi tuna tacos, and also you’re in pure taco bliss! The seared tuna has a beautiful texture; it has a evenly seasoned crust on the surface and is gentle and tender on the within.
Plus, it pairs deliciously with the jalapeno slaw and chipotle crema.
Sliced avocado, recent cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice improve the flavors much more! Seize your components and prepare for a severe taste explosion.
Seared Tuna Tacos
I’ve gotta say: these tacos are unbelievable.
They’re refreshing, a bit spicy, creamy, crunchy, and throughout so good. Every part comes collectively tremendous rapidly, too, as a result of the tuna solely must cook dinner for a couple of minutes.
That is the right dish for a fancy-feeling however simple dinner!
The chipotle sauce for the slaw is smoky and tangy, much like a chipotle crema or mayo that you just usually discover on tacos. And by reserving among the sauce for topping, we’re in a position to get a flavorful slaw and a enjoyable drizzle of sauce with out having to make two separate sauces.
A win-win! As a result of the much less dishes to take care of later the higher, proper?
Can I purchase sushi grade tuna on the grocery retailer?
For this recipe, we’re rapidly searing the tuna fairly than cooking it right through, so that you’ll need to be sure to get sushi grade tuna.
Most tuna that you just purchase recent from a seafood counter is sushi grade, that means it’s very recent and protected to devour uncooked or very uncommon. I normally buy my recent tuna steaks from the fish counter at Entire Meals and so they work completely!
When you’re nervous, you may at all times double test with the fish monger and ask them to steer you within the path of tuna you may eat uncooked or tremendous uncommon.
Identical goes with frozen tuna. Test the label for sushi grade, and be sure you thaw it utterly within the fridge earlier than utilizing – however frozen tuna isn’t any much less fit for human consumption uncooked.
Recipe Substances
To make these ahi tuna tacos, you’ll want:
- ahi tuna steaks – sushi grade (Contemporary, or frozen and thawed within the fridge. See be aware above about discovering sushi-grade tuna on the grocery retailer.)
- seasonings: smoked paprika, chili powder, floor cumin, floor coriander, garlic powder, and salt
- shredded cabbage (purple, inexperienced, or a mix of each) – gotta love that crunch
- inexperienced onion
- recent cilantro
- jalapeno pepper
- plain Greek yogurt (I like to recommend utilizing complete milk/full fats for one of the best taste and texture. Bitter cream works too!)
- lime (for recent lime juice)
- canned chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (this provides some extra spice and taste)
- taco-size tortillas (6″ dimension. Both corn or flour works!)
Plus, any garnishes you need! I really like sliced avocado, lime wedges, and additional cilantro.
Tips on how to Sear Ahi Tuna on the Stovetop
Earlier than cooking, we first have to coat our tuna steaks in seasoning.
Begin by inserting the steaks in a big dish or zippable plastic bag. In a separate bowl, combine collectively the spices (smoked paprika, chili powder, floor cumin, floor coriander, granulated garlic, and salt – all of the exact measurements are within the recipe card on the finish of this put up).
Then, sprinkle the spice combination over the tuna steaks and press evenly on each side to assist it stick. It will assist create the crispy, flavorful seared layer of the tuna.
Subsequent, coat a big skillet with a skinny layer of canola oil (or cooking spray) and set to excessive warmth.
As soon as sizzling, sear the tuna steaks for 1-2 minutes, then flip onto the opposite facet and sear for one more 1-2 minutes. (The period of time is dependent upon how cooked you want your tuna – if you wish to cook dinner it absolutely, that’s high-quality, and in that case I’d shred the tuna earlier than serving).
I seared my tuna for 1.5 minutes per facet to realize gentle/medium uncommon, which was uncooked on the within however with a good quantity of crispy seared exterior and cooked edges.
One minute per facet will yield uncommon tuna, whereas 2 minutes per facet will likely be nearer to medium, with a thinner strip of uncooked tuna within the center.
Maintain a detailed eye on it because it cooks, as relying how sizzling your pan is the tuna might cook dinner extra rapidly than you count on it to!
As soon as cooked, take away the tuna to a clear plate and let it relaxation whilst you put together the slaw and crema (directions are within the part beneath!).
After a couple of minutes, slice the tuna thinly. If it’s cooked right through, you may flake it/shred it if you happen to want.
Home made Jalapeno Coleslaw & Chipotle Crema
Don’t overlook the slaw and crema! They make these tacos.
For the home made slaw, place all of the components (cabbage, sliced inexperienced onion, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeno) in a big bowl. In a separate bowl, stir collectively the crema components (Greek yogurt OR bitter cream, lime juice, chipotle peppers, and salt).
Put aside half the crema for drizzling over your tacos. Pour the opposite half over your slaw components and toss to coat!
Can I alter the spice stage?
You may get away with a good quantity of spice in these ahi tuna tacos as a result of the yogurt and avocado stability it properly. However there’s a number of flexibility for spice stage!
Utilizing half a jalapeno and eradicating the seeds (or omitting it fully) could be the mildest, whereas utilizing a full jalapeno with seeds and three tablespoons of chipotle peppers could be the most well liked.
You possibly can at all times begin small and alter after tasting. You do you!
Can I make these on the grill?
These ahi tuna steaks would additionally work properly seared on the grill over excessive warmth (with the identical timing as famous above with the stovetop technique).
The important thing to both grilling or searing the tuna is excessive warmth for a really brief period of time so that you get that good sear on the surface!
Extra Seared Tuna Taco Topping Concepts
There are countless methods to decorate up these tacos! Listed below are some concepts:
- pickled jalapenos
- home made salsa (just like the salsa verde on this pork tacos recipe!)
- shredded cheese
- fajita veggies (sautéed bell peppers and onions)
- uncooked bell peppers, sliced thinly or diced, so as to add additional crunch and veggie quantity
- pico de gallo
- sliced radishes
- avocado crema with lime (<- recipe)
Upon getting all of your toppings able to go, simply assemble your tacos and dig in. 🙂
You’ll discover the complete seared ahi tuna tacos recipe on the backside of this put up. Get pleasure from!
What’s your favourite taco topping? Let me know within the feedback! I really like something crunchy and tangy – so slaw with a citrus-y sauce is my fave!
In search of extra taco recipes? Test these out:
Need extra seafood in your life? Attempt these dishes:
Seared Ahi Tuna Tacos with Slaw
These seared tuna tacos characteristic a home made jalapeno coleslaw and chipotle crema for an excellent flavorful and surprisingly simple meal!
Prep Time
20 minutes
Prepare dinner Time
5 minutes
Complete Time
25 minutes
Substances:
For the Tuna
- 2 medium ahi tuna steaks, 1 to 1.5 inches thick (about 1.5 lb)*
- 1/2 teaspoon every: smoked paprika, chili powder, floor cumin, floor coriander, granulated garlic, salt
For the Slaw & Sauce
- 3 heaping cups shredded cabbage (purple or inexperienced or a mix)
- 1 inexperienced onion, white and inexperienced components thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/2 to 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (relying on how a lot spice you want)
- 2/3 cup plain complete milk greek yogurt or bitter cream
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (relying on how a lot spice you want)
- pinch of salt
For serving
- 12 6″ tortillas (corn and/or flour)
- non-compulsory garnishes: sliced avocado, lime wedges, sliced bell peppers, extra cilantro
Directions:
- Place the tuna steaks in a dish or ziploc bag. Combine the spices collectively in a small bowl till evenly distributed, then sprinkle on each side of the tuna and press evenly to stick.
- Warmth a medium to massive skillet over excessive warmth. Coat the skillet with a really skinny layer of canola oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray, then add the tuna. Sear for 1 to 2 minutes on both sides, relying on how properly finished you want your tuna.
- Take away tuna to a clear plate and let relaxation for a couple of minutes whilst you put together the slaw, then slice thinly.
- For the slaw: place the cabbage, inexperienced onion, cilantro, and jalapeno in a big bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir collectively the yogurt, lime juice, chipotle peppers, and a pinch of salt.
- Reserve half of the sauce for drizzling over the tacos and add the remaining half to the bowl with the slaw components. Toss to coat.
- To assemble, organize the slaw and sliced tuna on tortillas. High with sliced avocado and cilantro, then drizzle with the reserved chipotle sauce.
Notes:
*If planning to get pleasure from your tuna on the tremendous uncommon facet, be sure you get sushi grade tuna. Ideas for locating sushi grade tuna are within the weblog put up.
