Ditch the cans and grab the steaks, because this catch of the day will rock the dinner table!
I grew up on tuna fish sandwiches. Canned chicken of the sea was cheap back when we were on a strict budget, and Big Momma would clip coupons and bring them home after every trip to the market.
Big Momma and my pops had grown up with tuna noodle casserole being a staple dinner, but it was one that made them shudder and try to sneak it to the dog. When Big Momma got pregnant, they made a pact that they would never serve tuna noodle casserole in their house, and they never did.
However, tuna sandwiches were served up often, with Big Momma being the biggest enthusiast. She loved them so much that on their wedding night, my folks’ friends wrote “TUNA WOMAN” in shaving cream all over their Volkswagen Bug and tied tuna cans to the rear bumper.
I liked a tuna sandwich just fine, but it took me a while to start eating whole fillets of fish that weren’t just fried. Once I figured it out, I was hooked, and nowadays, a good tuna steak rivals a salmon dinner, in my humble opinion.
Tender and juicy, a well-cooked piece of tuna is flaky on the outside, and slightly rare and red on the inside. The one-two punch of the exterior – slightly seared with all the seasonings sealed into it – coupled with the rare, tender, and juicy interior, is a can’t miss seafood classic.
Are Air Fryer Tuna Steaks Healthy?
Tuna is one of those high-protein, low-calorie winners, and the fish is a meaty and lean health machine. Vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, vitamin D, phosphorous, selenium, and magnesium are some of the wonders packed into this delicious fish. Tuna time all the time!
Big Tuna
Tuna is a group of over a dozen different species of fish, and five are eaten regularly: Skipjack, Yellowfin, Bluefin, Bigeye, and Albacore. Both Skipjack and Albacore are usually found in cans, while the other three are often found in sushi rolls and at fish markets in fillet form.
Canned tuna is cooked before it is canned, which can remove some of the omega-3 fatty acids. For steaks, Yellowfin is the most common, Bigeye is bright and meaty, and Bluefin is the tastiest of all, but the species has unfortunately been over-fished. For this reason, do your research on the best suppliers local to you, and make sure your tuna is high-quality.
How to make ahead and store
The Holy Trinity of lemon, pepper, and salt will taste exquisite, but if you prefer a more exotic marinade, soak the steaks in it for an hour before preparation. Your air fryer is going to whip these bad boys into shape in about 10 minutes, and they will taste best straight out of the fryer. However, leftover steaks will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days and will taste pretty damn great.
Serving Suggestions
Tuna steaks are a filling and healthy meal that will impress your dinner table. Steaks can be sliced for an appetizer, diced and mixed with avocado and lime for ceviche, chopped and added to a salad, or served whole with rice.
Or make your own Tuna Tacos – chef’s kiss! Also, the sushi-style options are endless, like this Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl or this Sushi Burrito.
Ingredients
- 2 tuna steaks 6 ounces each
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Pat tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Rub each steak with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Drizzle lemon juice over the steak.
- Place the seasoned tuna steaks in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until they reach your desired doneness, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Normally, I can’t stand tuna. Wouldn’t go near the stuff. But after this recipe, I’m a convert. Tuna has never hit home quite like this. Beautiful recipe.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Welcome to the tuna fan club! 😊
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
So glad to hear this turned out well! Thanks for reading.