Seared Ahi Salad Recipe

Sharing is caring!

Seared ahi salad is refreshing and packed with flavor. Tuna steaks crusted and seared atop a bed of fresh veggies with crispy wonton strips and vibrant edamame. Perfect way to up your salad game.

This post is sponsored by Foodland Hawai’i. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.

Whether you call it seared ahi or seared tuna, it’s going to be amazing. Just think in 20 minutes you can have a flavor packed dinner on the table for your family to enjoy.

If you’re anything like me, weeknight dinners can be such a struggle. So many things to do and not enough time. Making a quick 20 minute dinner that is delicious is a win in my books.

Let’s talk ingredients, you’ll need

• Shoyu
• Sugar
• Green onion
• Sesame oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Pepper
• Salt
• Sesame seeds
• Ahi steaks
• Spring mix greens
• Maika’i Unsalted Frozen Edamame
• Wonton strips
• Maika’i Organic Asian Sesame Dressing

Some substitutions that would also work well:

• Feel free to use any combination of veggies you like here.
• Prefer gluten free? Swap out the shoyu for tamari and omit the wonton strips.

What is ahi?

Ahi is the Hawaiian word for tuna and an ever so popular fish here in Hawai’i. There are so many amazing ways to enjoy it. Whether you like it raw in shoyu ahi poke, fried in ahi katsu, or shredded in tuna patties you’ll be sure to find something you like.

What is seared ahi? 

Searing is a cooking technique where the surface of the food is cooked at a high temperature to create a caramelized external crust. 

What is the best pan to pan sear ahi tuna? 

Searing is best achieved with a cast iron or stainless steel pan. These pans allow a high, even heat that is required to create that gorgeous crust. Although not ideal, if all you have is a nonstick pan you can make that work as well.

Tips for searing

• Use a cast iron or stainless steel pan when available.
• Don’t crowd the pan. Crowding the pan can cause uneven cooking and create steam which would affect the sear.
• Use a small amount of oil. This helps create an even sear.
• Once you put the fish in the pan, avoid lifting it up multiple times to check it. It will stick at first, but will release once the sear is done and it’s ready to flip.

Is seared tuna safe to eat?

In short, generally yes seared tuna is safe to eat. While most people speak of sushi grade or sashimi grade of fish, there is no true governing body that “grades” the fish as the USDA grades beef. The seller is able to deem the fish as sushi or sashimi grade. So buying from a reputable source is important. 

What cut of ahi is best for searing?

Ahi steaks that are at least 1/2 inch thick make for the beast searing. Choosing cuts that are too thin will cook through too quickly and will not give you the best sear before being over cooked.

What pairs well with seared ahi?

One of the more popular things to serve with seared ahi is a nice refreshing salad like this recipe. You can also serve it alongside some sticky, white rice or alone as an ala carte item.

How to store seared ahi salad?

This dish is best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers it is best to store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can opt to separate the fish from the veggies to prevent wilting of the veggies. This will keep for 2-3 days.

How to reheat seared tuna?

The dilemma with reheating is overcooking the fish. You can totally eat this salad chilled out of the refrigerator. If you prefer to warm up the fish, try to use the least amount of time needed just to heat through to avoid cooking the fish through.

Other great seafood recipes

• Sundried tomato cream sauce mahimahi
• Chinese crispy noodles
• Shrimp curry
• Macadamia nut crusted mahimahi
• Spicy Tuna Sushi

How to make seared ahi salad?

1. To a shallow dish add shoyu, sugar, green onion, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Place ahi in the mixture and allow to marinate as you prepare the seasoning.
3. To a plate combine pepper, salt, and sesame seeds. Mix until well combined.
4. Set a nonstick pan over medium high heat and allow to heat up.
5. Once the pan has heated through, take the ahi and place it in the seasoning mix allowing all sides to be covered.
6. Sear ahi for 1-1 ½ minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
7. To a plate/bowl add spring mix greens, edamame, and wonton strips.
8. Slice ahi into strips and place on the salad. 
9. Drizzle with Maika’i Organic Asian Sesame Dressing and ENJOY!

Tried this recipe? Tag me on social. I’d love to see and share it.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeping.it.relle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepingitrelle
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/keepingitrelle
Tried and love this recipe? Please give it a rating.
Pin for later.