Sesame Crusted Tuna

Restaurant-Worthy Sesame Crusted Tuna

May 7, 2026

This Sesame Crusted Tuna is quick, healthy, and restaurant-worthy! Ready in just 15 minutes with only a few ingredients. Crispy outside, buttery rare inside, and perfect with a simple dipping sauce and rice or salad.

I'll be honest: this recipe was born on one of those "ugh, what's for dinner" nights. I had zero motivation, but I remembered a couple of ahi tuna steaks waiting in the fridge. Cue the sesame seeds and a hot skillet, and suddenly, I had a crispy, golden-crusted tuna that looked (and tasted) like it came from a restaurant.

The outside is perfectly toasted thanks to the sesame seeds, while the inside stays juicy and rare. It's light, packed with protein, and endlessly versatile. Serve it with rice, add it to a salad, tuck it into a poke bowl, or make sushi-style wraps.

Sesame Crusted Tuna

Recipe by: Kristen McCaffrey of Slender Kitchen
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 24 oz yellowfin or ahi tuna (sushi-grade)
  • 4 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp canola oil (or other high temperature oil)

Directions

  1. Pat the tuna steaks with paper towels. Brush the tuna on both sides with soy sauce.
  2. Press the tuna into the sesame seeds, coating completely on both sides. It is up to you if you coat the sides as well, but it will make cooking it a bit more difficult, so I recommend just coating the top and bottom.
  3. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it is very hot. Once hot, add the oil to the pan and quickly swirl. Add the tuna and cook for about 45-60 seconds until the sesame seeds are golden brown. Carefully flip over and repeat on the other side for about one minute. This quickly seared version will yield a tuna that is seared and crisp on the outside and rare on the inside. This recipe doesn't work well for well-done fish since the sesame seeds will burn. Also, be careful while cooking because the pan will spatter. I recommend having the fan on high. Let the tuna rest and then slice thin to serve.
  4. Dipping sauce: I love to serve this with a fresh and zingy dipping sauce. Combine 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce with 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1-2 teaspoons honey, 1 tsp minced ginger, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tbsp minced green onion. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutritional Info

Calories 269; Carbohydrates 2 grams; Fat 9 grams; Protein 43 grams

Kristen McCaffrey makes a variety of healthy and delicious recipes that she shares on her website, SlenderKitchen.com.

Sesame Crusted Tuna
Kristen Mccaffrey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristen McCaffrey makes a variety of healthy and delicious recipes that she shares on her website, SlenderKitchen.com. Before diving into the world of healthy cooking, she struggled to lose weight, eat well, and find a healthy balance in her life. She has always been in love with food and enjoys healthy recipe development. Kristen is passionate about cooking and creating delicious recipes that encourage other people to eat healthy. See more recipes from Kristen!
Recipe Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated and may vary depending on the brands and quantities of ingredients used. If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or follow a specific nutrition plan, please review the ingredient list before consuming. All information on ObesityHelp.com is provided for general informational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. Please contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns related to your nutrition.