Ahi tuna, also known as yellowfin tuna, is a popular fish used in sushi and other dishes. When seared, ahi tuna develops a delicious crispy crust while still remaining rare and tender on the inside. But what are the best sides and sauces to serve with seared ahi tuna? Here are some quick answers to common questions about how to perfectly complement this delicious fish:
What are the best sides for seared ahi tuna?
Some great side options include:
– Rice – Sushi rice, brown rice, quinoa
– Sautéed vegetables – Asparagus, bok choy, Brussels sprouts
– Fresh salad – Arugula, watercress, endive
– Roasted vegetables – Carrots, sweet potatoes, beets
– Wasabi mashed potatoes
– Soba noodle salad
Sides that include veggies or starches complement the rich flavor of the tuna. Stay away from heavy creamy sides that might overpower the taste of the fish.
What sauces pair well with seared ahi tuna?
Some sauce suggestions:
– Ponzu – Soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice
– Ginger – Grated fresh ginger, soy sauce, oil
– Wasabi cream – Wasabi, mayo or sour cream, lemon juice, dill
– Miso vinaigrette – Miso paste, rice vinegar, oil, ginger
– Chili oil – Sesame oil infused with chili flakes
– Teriyaki – Soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, garlic
Japanese-inspired sauces like ponzu, miso, and teriyaki are classic pairings. Wasabi and ginger also complement tuna well. Avoid heavy cream-based sauces.
What garnishes taste good with seared ahi tuna?
Some garnish ideas:
– Sliced green onion
– Toasted sesame seeds
– Julienned ginger
– Microgreens
– Shredded daikon radish
– Sliced jalapeño
– Chopped cilantro
– Lime wedge
– Fresh edamame
Simple garnishes like green onion and sesame seeds add texture and flavor without overcomplicating the dish. Spicy and acidic garnishes like jalapeño and lime cut through the richness of the tuna.
Complementary Ingredients
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the best complementary ingredients and how to pair them with seared ahi tuna:
Rice
Rice is a classic pairing with seared tuna. The mild flavor soaks up any sauces or drippings from the fish. Short grain sushi rice and brown rice are excellent options. For something different, try quinoa tossed with sesame oil and soy sauce. You can serve rice warm or cold in tuna poke bowls.
Vegetables
Vegetables balance out and add color to a seared tuna dish. Go for quick-cooking veggies that won’t overpower the tuna. Try sautéing asparagus, bok choy, or Brussels sprouts in sesame oil and top with toasted sesame seeds. For crunch, add a fresh salad like watercress, endive, or arugula dressed with a light vinaigrette. Roasting brings out the sweetness in root veggies like beets, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
Ginger and Wasabi
The spicy kick of fresh grated ginger and wasabi complement tuna’s natural flavor. Make a simple sauce by combining sliced ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix freshly grated wasabi into mayo or sour cream for a creamy wasabi sauce. Or serve tuna with wasabi on the side for dipping. A little bit of ginger or wasabi goes a long way with the already strong-flavored fish.
Citrus
A squeeze of citrus brightens up rich tuna. Make ponzu sauce with rice vinegar, soy sauce, lemon juice, and orange juice. Drizzle tuna with citrus vinaigrettes made with yuzu, lime, grapefruit, or orange juice. Use citrus zest as a garnish. Lemon wedges can be served on the side. Avoid dousing tuna in citrus or the acidity will start to chemically “cook” the fish.
Japanese Ingredients
In addition to ginger and wasabi, other Japanese pantry staples like miso paste, sake, mirin, and ponzu sauce make fantastic umami-rich complements to seared tuna. Make a miso vinaigrette for drizzling or a teriyaki sauce with mirin and sake for dipping. Toss soba noodles with ponzu dressing and top with sliced tuna. Even a touch of nori seaweed flakes can complement tuna without overpowering it.
Full Meal Options
Here are some balanced meal ideas that highlight seared ahi tuna:
Tuna Poke Bowl
– Seared ahi tuna – thinly sliced
– Sushi rice
– Edamame
– Cucumber
– Carrot
– Sliced avocado
– Nori seaweed
– Ginger vinaigrette
Build a bowl by layering the sauced rice with the tuna and vegetables. Top with extra sauce.
Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad
– Seared ahi tuna
– Mixed greens
– Green beans
– Cherry tomatoes
– Potatoes
– Kalamata olives
– Soft boiled egg
– Dijon vinaigrette
Arrange the traditional salad components on a plate and top with a seared tuna steak.
Seared Tuna Tacos with Mango Salsa
– Seared ahi tuna – cut into strips
– Corn tortillas
– Mango salsa – mango, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro
– Lime crema – sour cream, lime juice, cilantro
– Shredded cabbage
– Avocado
Assemble tacos by layering tortillas with the tuna, mango salsa, crema, and veggies.
Pan Asian Tuna Salad
– Seared ahi tuna
– Mixed salad greens
– Snap peas
– Bell pepper
– Pickled ginger
– Wonton crisps
– Miso vinaigrette
Toss the greens, vegetables, and crisps with the vinaigrette. Top with sliced seared tuna.
Sauces for Seared Tuna
Sauces can make or break a good piece of seared tuna. Here are 10 delicious sauce recipes to try:
1. Ponzu Sauce
| 1/2 cup soy sauce |
| 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar |
| 2 tbsp lime juice |
| 2 tbsp orange juice |
| 1 tsp honey |
| 1 inch grated ginger |
Whisk together all ingredients. Let sit 15 minutes for flavors to meld.
2. Ginger Soy Sauce
| 1/4 cup soy sauce |
| 2 tbsp sesame oil |
| 1 inch grated ginger |
| 1 clove minced garlic |
| 1 tsp honey or sugar |
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
3. Wasabi Cream
| 1/4 cup mayo or sour cream |
| 2 tsp wasabi paste |
| 1 tbsp lemon juice |
| 2 tsp soy sauce |
| 1 tsp grated ginger |
| Dash of cayenne pepper |
Whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Add more wasabi for extra kick.
4. Miso Vinaigrette
| 3 tbsp miso paste |
| 2 tbsp rice vinegar |
| 1 tbsp honey |
| 1 tsp grated ginger |
| 1/4 cup vegetable oil |
| 2 tbsp water |
Whisk together miso, vinegar, honey, ginger and water. Slowly drizzle in oil while whisking until emulsified.
5. Teriyaki Sauce
| 1/2 cup soy sauce |
| 1/4 cup sugar |
| 3 tbsp mirin |
| 2 tsp grated ginger |
| 1 clove minced garlic |
| 1 tsp cornstarch |
| 2 tbsp water |
Simmer soy sauce, sugar, mirin, ginger and garlic for 5 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water. Stir into sauce until thickened.
6. Ginger Lime Sauce
| 1/4 cup olive oil |
| 3 tbsp grated ginger |
| 1 crushed garlic clove |
| Zest and juice of 2 limes |
| 2 tbsp soy sauce |
| 1 tbsp honey |
Heat oil, ginger and garlic briefly. Remove from heat and mix in remaining ingredients.
7. Chile Oil
| 1/2 cup sesame oil |
| 3 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes |
| 2 crushed garlic cloves |
| 1 inch grated ginger |
Heat oil, chili flakes, garlic and ginger over low heat 10 minutes to infuse flavors. Strain out solids.
8. Cilantro Lime Sauce
| 1 cup cilantro |
| 1/4 cup olive oil |
| Juice of 2 limes |
| 1 jalapeño pepper |
| 1/4 cup water |
| 1 crushed garlic clove |
| 1/4 tsp cumin |
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add water to thin to desired consistency.
9. Soy Balsamic Glaze
| 1 cup balsamic vinegar |
| 1/4 cup soy sauce |
| 2 tbsp brown sugar |
| 1 shallot, minced |
Simmer ingredients until reduced by half. Let cool to thicken.
10. Spicy Mayo
| 1/2 cup mayo |
| 2 tbsp sriracha |
| 1 tbsp lime juice |
| 1 tsp sesame oil |
| 1 tsp soy sauce |
Whisk together all ingredients. Adjust sriracha to taste.
Sides for Seared Ahi Tuna
Ahi tuna tastes delicious on its own, but the right side dishes can take it to the next level. Here are 10 tasty sides to serve with seared tuna:
1. Sushi Rice
Short grain sushi rice tossed with a bit of rice vinegar provides the perfect neutral base to soak up sauce and tuna drippings. Garnish simply with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
2. Soba Noodle Salad
Chilled buckwheat soba noodles have great texture and nutty flavor. Toss cooked soba with ponzu sauce, sliced scallions, grated carrot, and sesame seeds. Top tuna with salad.
3. Seaweed Salad
A salad of chilled seaweed adds ocean flavor and crunch. Wakame and hijiki seaweed are commonly used. Toss with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds.
4. Cucumber Salad
Thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in rice vinegar, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil provide a refreshing complement to rich tuna.
5. Carrot Ginger Slaw
Shredded carrots, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cilantro – a simple slaw with lots of bright flavor.
6. Edamame Succotash
Blanched fresh corn and edamame beans seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and parsley. A summery tuna side.
7. Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted sweet potato wedges tossed with white miso paste develop a lovely caramelized flavor.
8. Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
For an extra kick, fold prepared wasabi paste into mashed potatoes with cream, butter, and chives.
9. Roasted Beet Salad
Beets roasted with olive oil and garlic served over mixed greens with crumbled feta cheese make an earthy, antioxidant-rich side.
10. Asparagus Gribiche
Blanched asparagus spears served with the classic French sauce gribiche made with chopped egg, capers, cornichons, parsley, and olive oil.
Putting It All Together
With so many complementary flavors to choose from, how do you put together the perfect plate to highlight seared ahi tuna?
Start with the tuna – get the highest quality sushi grade ahi tuna and sear it to medium rare doneness so it remains tender inside with a nice crust.
Next, think about textures. Include a mix of sauces, cooked and raw vegetables, greens, and starches to contrast with the tuna.
Don’t forget acidity and spice to balance the rich fish. Add zesty citrus vinaigrettes, a dollop of wasabi cream, or fresh grated ginger.
Finally, keep the plate simple. Limit yourself to 1-2 sauces and just a few side components to let the tuna shine. Consider height and color by layering ingredients.
Here’s one winning combination:
Start with chilled soba noodles tossed in a savory umami-rich sauce like ponzu or miso vinaigrette. Top with sliced cucumbers, avocado, and microgreens for crunch and color contrast. Lean the seared tuna against the vegetables and finish with a drizzle of wasabi cream sauce, toasted sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of pickled ginger.
With high quality ingredients and a balance of flavors, textures, colors and aromas, seared ahi tuna makes for an elegant, delicious meal. What will you pair with tuna for your next dinner?
Conclusion
Seared ahi tuna is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with many flavors and textures. By choosing complementary sides, sauces, and garnishes you can bring out the best in the delicious fish. Citrus, ginger, wasabi, and Japanese flavors are all perfect matches. Keep the plates simple to let the tuna shine and aim for color, texture, acid, and heat contrasts. With the right supporting ingredients, seared ahi tuna makes for an amazing meal. Now get creative with these suggestions and enjoy tuna at its finest. What delicious combinations will you try next?