The best tuna steak marinade recipe that is easy, and put together in 5 minutes or less. This marinade for tuna steaks made with herbs, spices, oil, lemon, and honey smells good, tastes amazing, and makes marinated tuna steaks flavorful, moist, and delicious. Let me show you how to make it.
Tuna Steak Marinade Recipe
This tuna steak marinade is simple to make with minimal prep and cleanup.
All it takes to put this together is just a few minutes. That's how quick it is. Measure out the ingredients into a bowl and mix! Easy peasy. It's even easier to marinate tuna steak. Put in Ziploc with the marinade, and let it sit in the fridge for just 30 minutes.
Tuna steak is a deep red color dense firm meat that is similar to beef. It is low in calories, packed full of nutrients, high in protein, meaty, flavorful, and delicious. Yellowfin (Ahi), bigeye and bluefin can be grilled, pan seared, baked, or air fried. Like steak, tuna steak can be cooked rare to well done.
This marinade for tuna steak is made with a few simple ingredients that are probably already sitting in your pantry cabinet. Soy sauce for umami, olive oil, lemon, honey for sweetness, garlic, onion, some herbs, and salt to tie it all in for a mix that infuses flavor into the tuna.
No waiting for long for it to marinate. Marinate tuna steak with this mix for just 30 minutes and you get moist, flavorful tuna steaks when cooked. Perfect for when time is of the essence.
This tuna steaks marinade is restaurant quality and it works for air-fried, baked, pan fried, and grilled tuna steaks. You get flavorful, tender, and delicious fish at all times. Every bite is flavorful.
The best thing about this tuna marinade is that it is not only perfect for tuna, but can be used for other seafood like sea bass, mackerel, Hake, shrimp, scallops, and Prawns. It's that versatile.
Related: Salmon marinade, Steak marinade, Tuna pasta recipe
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Paprika- I like to use smoked paprika for a hint of smokey flavor.
Garlic- I used granules you can use garlic powder or if you prefer, use freshly minced garlic.
Onion- Use onion granules or powder. You can also use freshly chopped onions.
Lemon
Soy sauce (Optional)
Honey- For sweetness. This can be substituted for brown sugar.
Cayenne- This can be substituted for black pepper or any other type of pepper.
Parsley
Thyme
Olive oil
How To Make Tuna Steak Marinade
Measure out all the ingredients.
In a bowl, add all the ingredients parsley, paprika, onion, garlic, pepper, salt, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix till well combined.
It is ready to use or store for later.
This will marinate about 4 tuna steaks.
Add the tuna steaks into a Ziploc, add the marinade, and massage the bag to spread the marinade all over the tuna steaks. Zip it and put it in the fridge to marinate.
Easily turn the marinade into a sauce by pouring it into a saucepan, put it on the stove and you get a sauce that can be served as a glaze.
How To Marinate Tuna Steaks
This is easy, and quick to do. Make the marinade as directed above.
Clean and pat the tuna dry, Transfer to a Ziploc, or a bowl then pour the marinade all over it.
Make sure all the tuna steaks are covered in the marinade. Zip the bag or cover the bowl.
Put it in the fridge and let it marinate for 30 minutes. Don't marinate for too long as the acid in the lemon will start breaking down the tuna steak after some time. Perfect for when time is of the essence.
Bring out the tuna, let it get to room temperature then pan fry, grill, or bake tuna steaks.
How Long To Marinate Tuna Steaks
Marinate tuna steaks for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Don't marinate it for too long because of the lemon juice. If left in the marinade for too long, the acid starts to break down the fish. You can freeze marinated steak for up to 3 months and then cook it from frozen.
How long to cook marinated tuna steaks depends on the size, if you want it rare, medium rare, medium well done, or well done, and the method of cooking. Most people like to cook it to medium rare. Typically it takes 6-20 minutes.
Marinated Tuna Steak
Marinated tuna steak can be cooked in the air fryer, oven, pan-fried, or grilled.
To Grill- Grill each side on medium heat for 2-3 minutes depending on how you want it. Rare, medium rare, or well done.
Bake- Put the marinated tuna in a baking paper lined oven tray, and bake in the oven at 400F/200C for 15-20 minutes or till it's cooked to your preference.
Air Fry- Arrange the marinated tuna steaks in the air fryer basket or tray. Set air fryer to 200C and air fry each side for 3-4 minutes.
Tuna is cooked when it is no longer translucent. Be careful not to overcook.
How To Store
Pour the marinade into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, bring it out, and mix till well combined before using.
Cooked marinated tuna steaks can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips For Making The Best Tuna Steak Marinade
- Want it spicier? add hot sauce, pepper flakes, or cayenne.
- You can double or triple this recipe.
- This marinade for tuna can be used on other types of seafood.
- If you want to marinate for longer than 30 minutes then don't add the lemon to the marinade or add lemon and freeze till when ready to cook.
- You can freeze marinated tuna steaks and cook from frozen when ready to cook
- No need to thaw.
FAQS
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as possible.
Can you marinate tuna steaks too long?
If the marinade consists of lemon or acidic like vinegar don't marinate for more than as the lemon starts breaking it down after this time and it can become mushy.
What goes well with tuna steak?
Rice, Pasta, Potatoes, and vegetables are all side dishes that go well with it.
More Marinade Recipes
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Tuna Steak Marinade Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Ziploc
- Jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- 4 Tuna steaks
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Parsley
- ½ teaspoon Onion granules
- ½ teaspoon Garlic granules
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper or black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce Optional
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 small Lemon juiced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Measure out all the dry ingredients.
- In a bowl, add all the ingredients parsley, paprika, onion, garlic, pepper, salt, soy sauce, lemon, and olive oil. Mix till well combined.
- It is ready to use or store for later.This will marinate about 4 tuna steaks.
- Add the tuna steaks into a Ziploc, add the marinade, and massage the bag to spread the marinade all over the tuna steaks. Zip it and put it in the fridge to marinate.
Marinated Tuna Steaks
- Marinated tuna steak can be cooked in the air fryer, oven, pan-fried, or grilled.To Grill- Grill each side on medium heat for 2-3 minutes depending on how you want it. Rare, medium rare, or well done.
- Bake- Put the marinated tuna in a baking paper lined oven tray, and bake in the oven at 400F/200C for 15-20 minutes or till it's cooked to your preference.
- Air Fry- Arrange the marinated tuna steaks in the air fryer basket or tray. Set air fryer to 200C and air fry each side for 3-4 minutes.Tuna is cooked when it is no longer translucent. Be careful not to overcook.
Notes
- Want it spicier? add hot sauce, pepper flakes, or cayenne.
- You can double or triple this recipe.
- This marinade for tuna can be used on other types of seafood.
- If you want to marinate for longer than 30 minutes then don't add the lemon to the marinade or add lemon and freeze till when ready to cook.
- You can freeze marinated tuna steaks and cook from frozen when ready to cook
- No need to thaw.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook.
Hi Kemmi
Great recipe and really simple, love it.
I added a wee drop of my Cajun As I really like a little zing, but great as it is. 😊
Thanks Tony. Appreciate the feedback 🙂