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Perfect Pink Salt Seared Tuna Recipe with Ponzu and Scallions

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A simple and elegant seared tuna recipe featuring a pink salt crust, tangy ponzu sauce, and fresh scallions. Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for quick, flavorful meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 68 oz (170225 g) fresh sashimi-grade tuna steak
  • Coarse pink salt (Himalayan or sea salt), to season
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (grapeseed or canola)
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) ponzu sauce
  • 23 scallions, thinly sliced on the bias
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat your 6-8 oz (170-225 g) tuna steak dry with paper towels. Season all sides generously with coarse pink salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a cast iron or heavy non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of neutral oil and wait until it shimmers.
  3. Place the tuna steak in the hot pan and sear for 1.5 to 2 minutes on the first side without moving it to create a crust.
  4. Flip the tuna using tongs and sear the other side for 1 to 1.5 minutes for rare. Add 30 seconds per side for medium.
  5. Remove the tuna from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
  6. While the tuna rests, mix 3 tablespoons (45 ml) ponzu sauce with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Slice scallions thinly.
  7. Slice the tuna into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) thick pieces. Arrange on a plate, drizzle with ponzu mixture, and sprinkle scallions on top. Optionally, add pink salt flakes or black sesame seeds.

Notes

Pat tuna dry before seasoning for a crisp crust. Use high smoke point oil like grapeseed or canola. Rest tuna after searing to keep it juicy. Slice against the grain for better texture. Ponzu-soaked scallions are best added fresh before serving. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce in ponzu.

Nutrition

Keywords: seared tuna, pink salt, ponzu sauce, scallions, quick dinner, sashimi-grade tuna, easy tuna recipe