Upgrade your taco night by making juicy, seared tuna tacos topped with a flavorful wasabi and cilantro mayo.
Taco Tuesday (or Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and TWICE on Sunday) just got a seriously delicious upgrade. This recipe is really too easy – even if you’ve never cooked tuna steaks before, you’re going to do it like a pro. With this technique, your fish will come out juicy and not-dry every time.
And the wasabi mayo. Gah. You can tweak the mayo based on how much or little of the stuff you want. I loaded mine up, obviously.
Step by Step Guide to Making Seared Tuna Tacos
1. Preparing the Tuna Steaks:
- Seasoning:
- Pat the tuna steaks dry and season both sides liberally with salt, pepper, and the Asian seasoning blend.
- Oil Application:
- Lightly brush each side of the seasoned tuna steaks with olive oil.
- Cooking:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Remember not to add oil to the skillet.
- Place the tuna steaks into the skillet and let them cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes until you notice they’re cooked about halfway up the sides.
- Lightly drizzle the uncooked side with a bit of olive oil and then carefully flip the steaks to sear the other side. Let them cook for an additional 2 minutes. The steaks should be nicely seared on the outside but remain pink in the middle.
- Post-cooking Treatment:
- Once done, transfer the steaks to a plate.
- Drizzle them with approximately 1 teaspoon of olive oil and the lemon juice to maintain moisture.
- Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing them into thin strips.
2. Making the Cilantro-Wasabi Mayo:
- Combining:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, wasabi paste, lemon juice, and chopped cilantro.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Taste Test:
- Mix well and taste the mayo. Adjust the seasoning if required.
3. Assembling the Tacos:
- Base Layer:
- Start with placing a layer of shredded cabbage on each taco shell.
- Toppings:
- Add the sliced tuna, avocado slices, and mango slices on top of the cabbage.
- Saucing:
- Drizzle a generous amount of the cilantro-wasabi mayo over the fillings.
- Garnish:
- Finish off with some freshly chopped cilantro on top for added flavor and garnish.
Serving Suggestion:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious seared tuna tacos with cilantro-wasabi mayo!
Seared Tuna Tacos with Wasabi-Cilantro Aioli
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Omnivore, Pescatarian
Description
Juicy seared tuna gets a flavor boost with a spicy wasabi-cilantro mayo. Perfect for a fun weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (907 g) tuna steaks
- Olive oil for brushing
- Salt
- Pepper
- Asian or Mexican seasoning blend
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cups (237 ml) shredded cabbage
- 2 avocados, pitted and sliced
- 1 mango, sliced
- Soft taco shells (corn or flour)
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) mayonnaise
- 0.25 tsp wasabi paste
- 0.25 cups (59 ml) freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
Preparing the Tuna Steaks
- Pat the tuna steaks dry and season both sides liberally with salt, pepper, and the Asian seasoning blend.
- Lightly brush each side of the seasoned tuna steaks with olive oil.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Place the tuna steaks into the skillet and let them cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes until you notice they are cooked about halfway up the sides.
- Lightly drizzle the uncooked side with a bit of olive oil and then carefully flip the steaks to sear the other side.
- Let them cook for an additional 2 minutes. The steaks should be nicely seared on the outside but remain pink in the middle.
- Once done, transfer the steaks to a plate.
- Drizzle them with approximately 1 teaspoon of olive oil and the lemon juice to maintain moisture.
- Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing them into thin strips.
Making the Cilantro-Wasabi Mayo
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, wasabi paste, lemon juice, and chopped cilantro.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well and taste the mayo. Adjust the seasoning if required.
Assembling the Tacos
- Start with placing a layer of shredded cabbage on each taco shell.
- Add the sliced tuna, avocado slices, and mango slices on top of the cabbage.
- Drizzle a generous amount of the cilantro-wasabi mayo over the fillings.
- Finish off with some freshly chopped cilantro on top for added flavor and garnish.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use sushi-grade tuna and ensure it’s properly seared to a desired doneness.
- To adjust the spice level, add more or less wasabi paste to the aioli; start with less and add more to taste.
- Leftover tuna can be stored separately in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and used in salads or other dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 100
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ensure my tuna steaks are cooked perfectly and remain pink in the middle?
Cook the tuna steaks undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip them and cook for an additional 2 minutes. This method helps achieve a nice sear while keeping the center pink.
What type of oil should I use to brush the tuna steaks?
Use olive oil to lightly brush both sides of the seasoned tuna steaks before cooking.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the wasabi-cilantro aioli?
Yes, you can tweak the amount of wasabi in the mayo according to your taste preference, adding more for a spicier kick or less for a milder flavor.
