This sesame- and gin-kissed grilled tuna is bright, savory, and fast. The marinade blends nutty sesame oil, a splash of gin, soy, honey, and garlic for a glossy, slightly sweet crust. A quick sear on a hot grill creates a warm, caramelized exterior and a tender, slightly rare center. It smells toasty and garlicky, tastes savory with a hint of honeyed sweetness, and looks beautiful with sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 40 minutes (10 minutes active + 30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 6 minutes (about 2–3 minutes per side)
- Total Time: 46 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 330 kcal
- Protein: 40 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fat: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
Why Make This Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks
This recipe is fast, flavorful, and elegant. It works for a weeknight dinner or a simple weekend cookout. The sesame oil gives a toasty aroma, the gin adds a subtle bright edge, and the honey balances the soy’s saltiness. The result is a tender tuna with a caramelized crust, silky interior, and fresh green onion garnish for color and bite.
How to Make Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks
This method keeps the fish moist and lets the marinade flavor the surface without overpowering the natural tuna taste. Use a very hot grill and keep cooking time short for a perfect sear and rare-to-medium center. If you prefer your tuna well done, add a minute per side, but watch closely to avoid dryness.
Ingredients:
- 4 tuna steaks
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons gin
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat or membrane and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. Mince the garlic and measure the remaining ingredients so everything is ready.
Step 2: Mixing
In a bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, gin, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic. Place the tuna steaks in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Turn to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 1 hour). Do not marinate much longer to avoid changing the fish texture.
Step 3: Cooking
Preheat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Remove the tuna from the marinade and let excess drip off. Coat both sides with sesame seeds, pressing gently so they stick. Grill the steaks 2–3 minutes per side for rare to medium-rare (adjust time if you like it more done). You should see a nice crust and grill marks.
Step 4: Finishing
Transfer the tuna to a cutting board and let it rest 1–2 minutes. Slice or serve whole, and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately while the outside is warm and slightly crisp and the inside remains tender.
How to Serve Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks
Serve these tuna steaks over steamed rice, a bed of greens, or alongside grilled vegetables. Add a squeeze of lime or a drizzle of sesame oil for extra aroma. For a light meal, pair with a simple cucumber salad. For a dinner party, serve with wasabi mayo, pickled ginger, and sesame-soy dipping sauce.
How to Store Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks
- Refrigerator: Store cooled cooked tuna in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month for best quality. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat for a minute or two per side, or enjoy cold sliced over salad. Avoid high heat, which dries the fish.
Expert Tips for Perfect Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks
- Use high-quality, sushi-grade tuna if you plan to cook it rare. Fresh smell and firm texture matter.
- Pat steaks dry before marinating so the marinade clings and creates a good crust.
- Oil the grill grate to prevent sticking and grill over direct high heat for quick searing.
- Don’t over-marinate. Soy and salt can “cook” the surface and change texture.
- Let the fish rest briefly after grilling to let juices redistribute.
- Slice across the grain at a slight angle for the most tender bite.
- If you don’t want alcohol, swap gin for dry vermouth, sake, or a splash of extra soy and lemon juice.
Delicious Variations
- Sesame-Crusted with Ginger-Soy Glaze: Add grated ginger to the marinade and brush extra glaze while grilling.
- Miso-Honey Tuna: Replace gin with 1 tablespoon white miso mixed into the marinade for umami depth.
- Spicy Kick: Add 1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha to the marinade for heat.
- Pan-Seared Indoors: Sear in a very hot skillet (cast iron) for 1–2 minutes per side if you don’t have a grill.
- Citrus-Soy Twist: Add lime or orange zest to the marinade for bright citrus notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different alcohol or omit the gin?
A: Yes. Substitute dry vermouth, sake, or omit it and add a splash of rice vinegar or extra soy and lemon juice. The gin adds aromatic notes but isn’t essential.
Q: How long should I marinate the tuna?
A: At least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Longer can start to firm or cure the surface because of the soy and salt.
Q: How do I know when tuna is done?
A: Tuna cooks quickly. For rare, aim for 2 minutes per side on a hot grill; medium-rare 3 minutes per side. The center should be pink but warm. Use short cook times and check by cutting into the center.
Q: Can I cook these on a stovetop?
A: Yes. Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron) over high heat, add a little neutral oil, and sear 1–2 minutes per side for rare. Finish in the pan if needed.
Q: Will the alcohol in the gin burn off?
A: Most of the surface alcohol will evaporate during grilling, leaving the flavor compounds behind. The small amount used is safe for cooking.
Q: Can I use frozen tuna steaks?
A: Thaw fully in the refrigerator before marinating and pat dry. Partial thawing can make the fish release water when searing.
Q: How do I prevent sticking on the grill?
A: Preheat the grill until very hot, oil the grates with a paper towel dipped in oil and held with tongs, and pat fish dry before placing on the grill.
Conclusion
Give this Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks recipe a try when you want a quick, impressive meal with bold flavor and a tender center. For another marinade idea that pairs beautifully with grilled tuna, check out this Soy-Ginger Ahi Tuna Marinade – Feed Me Phoebe. Enjoy the toasty sesame aroma, the sweet-salty balance, and the clean, meaty texture of well-seared tuna — a simple recipe that tastes special.
Print
Sesame Gin Grilled Tuna Steaks
- Total Time: 46 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
This sesame- and gin-kissed grilled tuna is bright, savory, and perfect for a quick meal. A flavorful marinade and a hot grill create a beautiful caramelized crust.
Ingredients
- 4 tuna steaks
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons gin
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat or membrane and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, gin, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic. Place the tuna steaks in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Turn to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Remove the tuna from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Coat both sides with sesame seeds, pressing gently so they stick. Grill the steaks 2–3 minutes per side for rare to medium-rare.
- Transfer the tuna to a cutting board and let it rest for 1–2 minutes. Slice or serve whole, garnished with chopped green onions.
Notes
For a well-done tuna, add a minute per side while grilling, but monitor closely to avoid dryness. Consider serving over rice or with grilled vegetables.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
