These scrumptious ahi tuna tacos mix seared ahi tuna with tangy cilantro lime slaw and smoky chipotle crema. Prepared in simply Half-hour, they’re your ticket to restaurant-quality fish tacos at dwelling!
As a fish taco fan who additionally loves tuna steak, I’ve received a brand new fusion spin for you: ahi tuna tacos! Seems, meaty tuna steak is the perfect filling for a taco!
These tacos hit each taste observe—the meaty, completely seared tuna contrasts superbly with cool, crunchy slaw, whereas the chipotle crema provides simply sufficient warmth and richness. My household completely gobbles these down (they usually’re notoriously choosy about seafood!).
Components in these tuna tacos
Ahi tuna tacos are a spin on fish tacos, which have been invented within the Nineteen Fifties in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and went on to grow to be standard in America within the 1980’s. This recipe seeks to honor the standard Mexican flavors, utilizing seared tuna as an alternative of the everyday breaded fish and pairing it with a zingy contemporary slaw. Listed here are the weather in these ahi tuna tacos:
Deciding on sushi-grade tuna steak
Ahi tuna, aka yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna, is a gentle, lean fish generally served as sushi, in poke bowls, or cooked uncommon or medium-rare. Right here’s what to search for when shopping for tuna steak.
Search for “sushi-grade” or “sashimi-grade” labels. Whereas there’s no official regulation for these phrases, they point out the fish is contemporary sufficient to eat uncooked and has been dealt with with additional care. The flesh must be deep purple (not brown) with a agency texture.
Test your native fish counter first. Many grocery shops now carry sushi-grade tuna. Don’t be shy about asking when it got here in—brisker is at all times higher. In the event that they don’t have it, ask if they’ll order it for you.
Frozen will be implausible. Flash-frozen tuna is usually brisker than “contemporary” as a result of it’s frozen instantly after catching. Simply thaw in a single day within the fridge.
Ideas for cooking tuna steak
When you’ve received an incredible piece of fish, the toughest a part of this recipe is searing the tuna. Listed here are a number of recommendations on how one can prepare dinner tuna steaks:
- Let your tuna come to room temperature first. That is crucial tip I can share! I take it out 20-Half-hour earlier than cooking—simply sufficient time to make the slaw and sauce.
- Use a meals thermometer to evaluate temperature (130°F). Add the steaks to a skillet and prepare dinner 1 to 2 minutes per aspect, till calmly browned on the skin however nonetheless uncommon the within. For a medium-rare tuna steak, the inner temperature must be 130°F when measured with a meals thermometer on the thickest level.
- Relaxation for two minutes. This helps it to set and grow to be simpler to chop.
A cilantro lime slaw that steals the present
An ideal fish taco typically has a creamy slaw, and this one is not any exception! The cilantro lime slaw in these tacos is so good, you’ll end up regularly sneaking bites. This recipe has a little bit of a shortcut so that you’re not spending an excessive amount of time chopping.
Use a bag of coleslaw combine, then mix it with shredded purple cabbage! It makes for a beautiful mixture of shade and texture. In the event you’ve received leftover cilantro lime slaw, you’ll be able to eat it as a aspect dish for the tacos.
Sauce choices for each style
These tuna tacos are implausible drizzled with chipotle crema, which provides a savory creaminess and a little bit of smoky warmth. Combine it up whereas your tuna involves room temp, or strive certainly one of these various sauces primarily based in your preferences and what you could have readily available:
- Chipotle crema: A bitter cream-based sauce with adobo sauce, garlic and lime
- Chipotle sauce: A zingy vegan sauce with tahini, adobo sauce and lime
- Yum Yum sauce: A mayo-based savory candy sauce that originated at Japanese steakhouses (not spicy)
Tuna Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
These scrumptious ahi tuna tacos mix seared ahi tuna with tangy cilantro lime slaw and smoky chipotle crema. Prepared in simply Half-hour, they’re your ticket to restaurant-quality fish tacos at dwelling!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 5 minutes
- Complete Time: Half-hour
- Yield: 4 (8 tacos) 1x
- Class: Principal Dish
- Methodology: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Mexican Impressed
- Eating regimen: Gluten Free
For the cilantro lime slaw
- 14 ounce bag coleslaw combine (7 cups)
- 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
- ¾ cup chopped cilantro, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Contemporary floor black pepper
For the tuna tacos
- Permit the tuna steak to come back to room temperature by letting it stand for not less than 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, make the slaw: Shred the purple cabbage and chop the cilantro. Place it in a big bowl with the coleslaw combine. Combine within the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, maple syrup, chili powder, kosher salt, and contemporary floor black pepper to style.
- Make the sauce: Make the Chipotle Crema, Chipotle Sauce or Yum Yum Sauce.
- Cook dinner the tuna: When able to prepare dinner, pat the tuna dry. In a small bowl, stir collectively the salt, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle the seasoning combine liberally on all sides of the tuna. Warmth the oil in a medium skillet over medium excessive warmth. Add the tuna steak and prepare dinner 1 to 2 minutes per aspect, till calmly browned on the skin however nonetheless uncommon the within. The tuna will proceed cooking whereas sitting. For a medium-rare tuna steak, the inner temperature must be 130 levels Fahrenheit when measured with a meals thermometer on the thickest level. Cool for two minutes. Then slice the tuna in opposition to the grain into ½-inch slices. Style and add further salt if mandatory.
- Heat the tortillas: Heat and char the tortillas by putting them on an open fuel flame on medium for a number of seconds per aspect, flipping with tongs, till they’re barely blackened and heat. (See The best way to Heat Tortillas.)
- Assemble the tacos: Add beneficiant spoonfuls of cilantro lime slaw, then slices of tuna. Prime with Chipotle Sauce and extra contemporary cilantro. Get pleasure from instantly.
Notes
*Frozen is okay, simply thaw within the fridge earlier than serving.
Different tuna recipes you would possibly get pleasure from
Tuna is one versatile fish! Listed here are a number of extra nice tuna steak recipes with concepts for how one can prepare dinner it:
