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Sesame Crusted Tuna Tataki with Ponzu Dipping Sauce

Slices of seared tuna tataki coated in black and white sesame seeds on a white plate.
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Make restaurant-style Tuna Tataki at home quickly. This recipe features sushi-grade tuna lightly seared with a sesame crust and served with a bright ponzu sauce for an elegant, healthy seafood meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound sushi-grade Ahi tuna loin
  • 1/4 cup white sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • For the Ponzu Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (Shoyu)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lemon juice, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Set the ponzu sauce aside.
  2. Prepare the tuna: Pat the tuna loin completely dry with paper towels. Mix the white and black sesame seeds on a shallow plate. Press all sides of the tuna loin firmly into the sesame seeds until it is evenly coated.
  3. Season the tuna: Sprinkle the salt and pepper evenly over the sesame-crusted tuna.
  4. Sear the tuna: Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works well) over high heat until it is shimmering hot.
  5. Carefully place the crusted tuna in the hot skillet. Sear for 30 to 45 seconds on each of the four long sides. You want a thin, dark crust while keeping the center raw and cool.
  6. Remove the tuna from the pan immediately and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for 2 minutes.
  7. Slice the tuna: Using a very sharp knife, slice the tuna against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
  8. Serve immediately: Arrange the slices on a platter and serve with the prepared ponzu dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

  • Use only sushi-grade or sashimi-grade tuna for this preparation to ensure safety.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a dash of toasted sesame oil to your ponzu sauce.
  • If you prefer a spicy kick, add a small amount of wasabi paste to the dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/tuna-tataki-sesame-crusted-ponzu-sauce/