Experience the bold flavors of this blackened tuna recipe, perfect for a healthy meal on busy weeknights. You’ll love the spicy crust and juicy, pink center!
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclosure policy here.
Blackened Tuna is perfect for a quick sear in a hot skillet or on the grill, giving it big flavors in mere minutes. The spicy dry rub, made with garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, creates an incredible crust on the tuna steaks.
Using a cast iron skillet (Amazon affiliate) ensures even heat distribution, while avocado oil has a high smoke point and adds a subtle, buttery flavor.
How to Make Blackened Tuna
First, gather your ingredients.
Ingredients
For the best taste, always use the highest quality ingredients you have access to.
To make this Blackened Tuna recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Fresh tuna steaks
- Avocado oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- Butter
- Lemon
This great recipe also allows for some customization! Feel free to add cajun spices or substitute olive oil for avocado oil if you prefer.
Cooking Blackened Tuna
Blackened Tuna is a simple recipe that can be made in just a few simple steps.
Dry each tuna steak with clean paper towels. Brush each one with some olive oil on both sides.
In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper together and rub it all over both sides of each piece of tuna.
Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of oil to the pan.
Once the butter is melted and the pan is nice and hot, place the steaks into the pan and cook them for about 2 minutes per side for a medium-rare steak or 3-3.5 minutes per side for a medium-well-done tuna steak.
Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon and your favorite side dishes.
For a true seafood restaurant experience at home, serve your blackened tuna with a side of cajun remoulade or mustard sauce, and enjoy the delicious taste of this easy recipe.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Always use common sense and good judgment when it comes to leftovers, though! If something looks or smells funky, don’t eat it.
Share this recipe
Did you try this recipe? Give it a star rating. Pin it and share it if it looks good to you. And be sure and stay connected on social media!
Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
Be sure and check out all my favorite kitchen tools in my Amazon store (affiliate).
Blackened Tuna
Experience the bold flavors of this blackened tuna recipe, perfect for a healthy meal on busy weeknights. Spicy crust and juicy, pink center!
Ingredients
- 2 fresh tuna steaks – about 4 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil + 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
-
Dry each tuna steak with a clean paper towel. Brush each one with some olive oil on both sides.
-
In a small bowl mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper together and rub it all over both sides of each piece of tuna.
-
Heat a cast iron pan to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of oil to the pan. Once the butter is melted and the pan is nice and hot, place the steaks into the pan and cook them for about 2 minutes per side for a medium-rare steak or 3-3.5 minutes per side for a medium-well-done tuna steak.
-
Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon and your favorite sides.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Sheri Davis says
Made this tonight with fresh wild caught albacore tuna. Very good! Will definitely make again.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Sheri!! So happy to hear you enjoyed this🙌🏻