16 Quick Tuna Steak Recipes for Impressive Dinners on the Fly

Tuna steaks are a fantastic protein option for any day of the week. Since they cook so quickly they make a great weeknight dinner, but they're also impressive and elevated enough for a weekend date night, too. These fresh, flakey pieces of fish do well with both moist marinades or dry rubs alike, and the mild, savory flesh easily absorbs the flavors of whatever it's cooked with. Just like traditional beef steaks, tuna steaks can be served with a wide range of sides from roasted vegetables to light side salads to a heaping pile of steamed rice. They're easy to prep, easy to cook and even easier to enjoy.

Whether you cook them on the stovetop or the grill, tuna steaks do best with fast, high heat. A quick sear is all you need to achieve a crispy crust and tender, flaky interior.

This tuna steak recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. It’s fast, efficient and only calls for three ingredients. Once the steak is seasoned and seared you can pair it with any side you like best: a simple summer salad, roasted potatoes or a steaming pile of seasoned white rice.

Tuna steak burgers are a fresh alternative to regular hamburgers. They’re hearty and rich without the grease or fattiness of beef burgers. We love serving these with a spicy, creamy chipotle mayo that’s packed with extra flavor from grated fresh ginger and sherry vinegar.

If you’re looking for a pescatarian option to serve at a barbecue, these teriyaki tuna skewers are a fun and party-friendly option. They’re easy to serve in a buffet and can be enjoyed with a variety of sides like rice, salad or grilled vegetables. For extra crunch, serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Tuna steaks are a great source of protein, so they’re an easy option to throw on top of a salad. In this recipe, we’re brushing the tuna with oil and then sprinkling it generously with ground fennel and salt and pepper. Once the tuna gets cooked on the grill, the spices get crispy and crunchy, giving the tuna extra caramelized flavor.

This recipe is like a pescatarian version of steak frites. Each tuna steak gets crisped to perfection on a hot grill then served with a homemade garlic herb sauce. It’s zesty and fresh, with just a bit of richness from the melted butter. Extra crispy fries make an ideal side for this melt-in-your-mouth tuna steak.

Want to impress a special someone with a decadent dish that’s shockingly easy to whip up? This grilled tuna and caramelized onions is just the thing. Fresh and flavorful, the delicate slices of tuna are packed with complexity from red pepper flakes, fresh mint and cinnamon sticks. It’s an unlikely pairing that makes total sense as soon as you pop the first bite into your mouth.

One of the best things about making tuna steaks is how quickly they cook. That means you have more time to spend dressing up the steak with sauces or flavorings and lots of hearty side dishes. We’re pairing these herb-crusted tuna steaks with grilled portobellos that are stuffed with smokey mozzarella cheese. It’s a hearty, healthy dish that won’t leave you feeling super full afterwards.

Fresh and fun, these tuna rolls are a fabulous alternative to hot dogs or hamburgers. Packed with bright flavor from soy sauce, lime juice and jalapeno, they’re perfect for a summer party because they can be eaten with one hand while mingling poolside or at the beach. A homemade chipotle mayo adds spicy flavor and creamy texture.

Ready in just 35 minutes, this dish elevates weeknight dinner to something truly special. Once the tuna is seared, we top it with a homemade fresno chile, pineapple juice and lime juice glaze that’s sticky, sweet and just a little bit spicy. Served with jasmine rice, this healthy dish is fast and flavorful.

There’s tuna salad from a can, and then there’s this lemon-roasted tuna salad made with sweet grapes and tart yogurt. It’s like a grown-up alternative to your average tuna salad: the meat is flaky, the flavors are bold, and the texture is creamy and crunchy at the same time. Serve in fresh lettuce wraps or atop a pile of steamed rice.

The goal of any good fried appetizer should be to achieve a texture that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Tuna steaks are the perfect medium — once covered in the light tempura batter, the edges get crisped while the meat inside stays flaky and soft. We like to serve them with this wasabi mayo that’s sweetened with just the right amount of honey.

The great thing about tuna steaks is that the meat really takes on the flavor of whatever it’s marinated in. In this recipe we’re using a dry rub of chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme and scallions. We generously coat the steaks with the herb mixture then let the meat sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to fully absorb all those great flavors. Served with roasted vegetables, it’s a hearty and filling dinner that’s much lighter and more refreshing than traditional beef steak.

A fresh, flavorful dinner that’s ready in just 25 minutes? You read that right — and better yet, it’s not your typical weeknight dinner either. These grilled tuna steaks with hot pineapple-papaya salsa will make you feel like you’re sitting at a beachside restaurant on vacation. Serve with extra fresh lime juice and cilantro.

Gremolata might sound like an intimidating ingredient, but it’s actually one of the easiest toppings you can make. In this version, we’re combining flat leaf parsley, lemon zest, orange zest and garlic in a small bowl — that’s it! Once the tuna steaks are grilled to perfection, simply drizzle with olive oil and spoon over the gremolata. It’s fresh and flavorful without the need for breaking out any gadgets like a blender or mixer.

Grilled tuna is such a fantastically versatile ingredient, it’s a simple protein that can be served with a wide range of sauces or side dishes. In this recipe, we’re serving it with a romesco sauce made from roasted peppers and stale bread. The bright acidity in the sauce pairs perfectly with the savory richness of the tuna meat. It’s light and fresh and ready in just 25 minutes.