Grilled Tuna Steaks Recipe

Homemade Grilled Tuna Steaks are cooked to perfection on the grill. Place the tuna steaks on a high heat grill to give them the perfect grill marks and a rare center. No need for fancy seasoning as all your need is black pepper and sea salt.

You will love this easy seafood recipe. Check out these other family favorite options – Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Grilled Tilapia in Foil or Grilled Salmon Kabobs.

What are Tuna Steaks?

Tuna Steaks are cut from the loin of the fish. This is the part of the tuna that is lean and is identified by its pink or red color.

Tuna steaks should be raw in the middle after cooking. It can become dry if cooked to long. The proper way to cook tuna steaks is to sear it on both sides and be raw in the middle.

Why We Love This Recipe

Grilled Tuna Steaks is a meal that we prepare when we are having date night in. This restaurant quality meal takes only a few minutes on the grill so it is the perfect meal to make together. It tastes amazing and we have even added marinade a delicious variation.

Slice the grilled tuna steaks and serve. This meal is perfect to serve with a side salad and a bake potato for a complete meal idea.

Ingredients 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Grill Tuna Steaks 

• Step 1 – Oil Tuna Steaks and heat grill – Rub half of the olive oil onto the grill grates to keep the fresh tuna steaks from sticking to the grill.  Preheat the grill to as hot as it will get (approximately 500-700 degrees F). 
• Step 2 – Oil both sides of tuna – Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Rub the remaining oil onto all sides of the tuna steaks. 
• Step 3 – Seasoning Tuna Steaks – Mix together the salt and pepper and pour it on a plate. Press both sides of the tuna steaks into the mixture to coat it with the seasoning mixture. 

• Step 4 – Grill Tuna Steaks – Place the tuna on the grill over direct heat.  Cook until well-seared and the tuna starts to release itself from the grill (1-3 minutes).  Flip the tuna and cook the other side for 1-3 minutes as well until browned.

• Step 5 – Grill for a few minutes – You can also sear the short sides of the tuna by using tongs to turn the tuna steaks on their sides and grilling for a few minutes. If you measure the internal temperature of the tuna steaks they should be approximately 115-125 degrees F. 

• Step 6 – Slice and serve tuna – Remove the tuna from the grill, slice the tuna against the grain and serve immediately. 

Expert Tips

• Grilling Tuna – Grill tuna about 2 minutes per side. Tuna Steaks are delicious seared on all sides and served with a raw center. The key to the perfect grilled steaks is to make sure the grill is very hot. Place the tuna steaks directly on the grill or on a grill pan.
• Seasoning – Grilled Tuna Steaks are seasoned with simple seasoning. But feel free to change to what you prefer.
• Types of Tuna – There are different types of tuna. You want to make sure that your tuna is fresh. You can tell it is fresh by the way it smells and it is not slimy. The types include bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore, and yellowfin tuna.
• Eat Raw – Tuna Steaks is best served and eaten raw. It only requires a few minutes to grill and best served immediately.
• Slicing Tuna Steaks – We recommend when ready to serve, slice the tuna about ½ inch thick. Then serve with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

How Long to Grill Tuna Steaks

We love cooking these tuna steaks to medium-rare.  If you prefer them slightly more cooked, move the steaks over to indirect heat on the grill until it’s cooked to the temperature you prefer. 

When you are grilling tuna steaks you are searing each side of the tuna steaks. You will for approximately 2 minutes on each side. You can also grill the sides of the tuna steaks with tongs to make sure all sides are cooked.

What to Serve with Tuna Steaks

There are many sides that would be perfect served with grilled Tuna Steaks. We even love to make a dipping sauce with soy sauce, lemon juice and seasoning.

• Parmesan Grilled Zucchini – This side dish is simple to prepare and is budget friendly. The grill gives the zucchini so much smoky flavor. We love that the seasoning is simple and that it is always a family favorite.
• Grilled Brussel Sprouts – We love making easy side dishes when we grill out. Grilling our Brussel Sprouts is a sure way to get the kids to eat them. Threading them on the metal skewers makes for a delicious and easy side to many of your favorite grilled meats.
• Grilled Potatoes in Foil – Toss this on the grill or in your oven for delicious potatoes in hardly any time at all. I love foil pack recipes because there isn’t any cleanup. 
• See What to Serve with Tuna Steak