Is seared ahi raw in the middle?

Yes; only the outside is cooked, so use sushi-grade tuna.

What can I serve with seared tuna?

Rice, seaweed salad or a cucumber salad.

Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna

Sushi-grade ahi tuna crusted in sesame seeds, seared for 30 seconds a side so it stays rare inside, and sliced with a soy-ginger dipping sauce. Serves 4.

Dairy-free Keto Low-carb High-proteinNo added sugar

Contains: fish, wheat, soy, sesame. Based on the ingredients as written; check package labels, which can change.

Prep 10 min
Cook 5 min
Total 15 min
Yield 4 servings
Level Easy

Updated November 4, 2026

Sliced sesame-crusted seared ahi tuna with a red center, soy sauce, wasabi and ginger

Seared ahi is one of the fastest elegant dinners there is. The tuna is coated in sesame seeds, seared in a very hot pan just long enough to toast the seeds, and sliced to show a ruby-red center.

Because the center stays rare, buy tuna labeled sushi- or sashimi-grade from a trusted fish counter.

Ingredients

Tuna

2 sushi-grade ahi tuna steaks (about 1 pound total), 1 1/2 inches thick
Salt and black pepper
1/2 cup white and black sesame seeds
2 tablespoons neutral oil

Dipping sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 green onion, sliced
Wasabi and pickled ginger, for serving

Food safety: This recipe uses rare tuna. Eating raw or undercooked seafood may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially for anyone pregnant, elderly, very young or with a weakened immune system. Buy from a trusted fishmonger, ask for fish meant to be eaten raw, and keep it cold until serving. See our safe temperatures.

What you’ll need

heavy skillet
sharp slicing knife

Instructions

Make the sauce. Stir the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger and green onion together.
Coat. Pat the tuna dry, season with salt and pepper and press into the sesame seeds on all sides.
Sear. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat until shimmering. Sear the tuna 30 to 45 seconds per side, just until the seeds are golden.
Slice and serve. Slice 1/4 inch thick with a sharp knife and serve with the sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

Nutrition per serving (estimated)

310Calories

5 gCarbohydrates

2 gFiber

3 gNet carbs

32 gProtein

18 gFat

Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings, using USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient. Net carbs are carbohydrates minus fiber. Optional ingredients, garnishes and anything served on the side are not included, and marinades are counted at about a third because most is discarded. Brands and portion sizes change the numbers.

Keto Low-carb High-protein Dairy-freeNo added sugar

Tips

Keep the tuna very cold until it hits the pan for the rarest center.
A thicker steak gives a bigger red center.

Having trouble? See rubbery shrimp and sticking fish in our kitchen troubleshooting guide.

Printable: safe cooking temperatures chart (PDF).

Storage and leftovers

Best eaten right away. Refrigerate leftovers up to 1 day and serve cold; seared tuna is still rare inside.

Questions about this recipe

Is seared ahi raw in the middle?: Yes; only the outside is cooked, so use sushi-grade tuna.
What can I serve with seared tuna?: Rice, seaweed salad or a cucumber salad.

Serve it with

Build the whole dinner: sides, sauce and dessert ›

Pairs with: Pinot Noir or a dry rosé. Wine pairing guide

More seafood recipes

All seafood recipes | All recipes | Cooking guide and safe temperatures