Ahi tuna, the flavorful fish also known as yellow fin tuna, is a favorite for the grill. On the grill, the tuna steaks are great plain, just seasoned with salt and pepper, or enhanced with full flavored marinades of your choosing. Tuna steaks are a different texture than red meat and require some extra care in grilling. These instructions on grilling tuna are simple for expert or beginning cooks, just read on for tips on how to grill ahi tuna.
Ahi tuna is delicacy and the red colored meat is frequently featured raw on sashimi platters like it's bigger cousins the blue fin tuna and the big eye tuna. Ahi, however is the best suited for the grill. If you're going to serve the tuna rare, make sure to purchase sashimi-grade tuna.
Many people chose to use zesty Italian dressing in which to marinate the tuna. However ahi tuna is flavorful enough that you can grill it with no seasonings other than simple salt and pepper. The meat should be turned and watched carfuly. The meat is sensitive to smoke which is why ahi turns out so good on the grill.
Alternate Ahi Tuna Recipe
A chef from Destination Heath Plus demonstrates how to sear Ahi tuna on the grill, using coconut oil. The coconut oil contains a lot of saturated fat, but provides energy and works well for cooking fish at high heat. She warms the oil between her hands, then rubs it over the outside of the fish. After seasoning with sea salt and pepper, she also adds onion powder, garlic salt and paprika, then grill the tuna just until its rare.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment
Ahi tuna steak
Salt and pepper
Gas or charcoal grill
Wide spatula
Your choice of marinate (many people like zesty Italian dressing)
Step 2: Prepare to Grill Ahi Tuna
Find the freshest Ahi you can find.
Cut the meat into one-to-three-inch steaks.
Marinate the Tuna at least four hours, if desired.
Season the tuna steak with salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat the grill.
Step 3: Grill Ahi Tuna
- Rub the hot grill with a light coating of oil or fruit juice. This will reduce the chances of the tuna sticking to the grill rack. Alternately, heat a lightly greased grill pan.
- Place the tuna on the grill rack or grill pan. Cook for two-to-three minutes.
- Flip the tuna and cook for an additional two-to-three minutes. Continue to cook until the fish softens and shows grill marks.http://www.recipe4living.com/recipe/grilled_ahi_tuna_with_grilled_pineapple_salsa.htm
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Be careful not to overcook the tuna and opt for rare over dry
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Fact:
If desired, marinate the fish for additional flavor before grilling
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Fact:
Use any leftover grilled tuna in your favorite tuna salad recipe
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Fact:
The flavor of the grilled Ahi tuna holds up long after it is cooked and can be refrigerated for later
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Fact:
Use a hot and lightly greased grill to prevent sticking
