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Perfect Pan-Seared Tuna Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

Close-up of a thick, perfectly seared tuna steak with a glistening herb crust, showing a rare, pink center.
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Stop stressing about cooking seafood. Learn the technique for achieving a perfectly seared tuna steak with a tender center in under 15 minutes. This quick dinner uses a rich garlic herb butter baste for incredible flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (6-ounce) tuna steaks (ahi or yellowfin)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

  1. Pat the tuna steaks completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke.
  3. Carefully place the tuna steaks in the hot skillet. Sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side for rare to medium-rare. Do not move the steaks while searing to build a crust.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter, minced garlic, parsley, and thyme to the skillet.
  5. As the butter melts, tilt the pan and use a spoon to continuously baste the melting garlic herb butter over the top of the tuna steaks for about 30 seconds.
  6. Remove the tuna steaks immediately from the pan and let them rest on a cutting board for 3 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Notes

  • For a restaurant-style result, aim for a deep brown crust and a cool, rosy center (rare).
  • If you prefer a different flavor profile, substitute the garlic herb butter with a quick soy-ginger glaze or a blackened seasoning mix.
  • This method works best for thick, high-quality tuna steaks, often called ahi tuna steak.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/tuna-steak-perfect-pan-seared-garlic-butter/