These Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos are one of my favorite grilling recipes. They take minutes to assemble and they taste amazing especially with the tangy sesame slaw, eel sauce and spicy mayo to balance it all out.
Table of Contents
What is Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos with SesameSlaw
Hey my babes! These Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos are about to become a staple in your culinary repertoire!
This dish features tender, seared ahi tuna, enveloped in a nutty sesame seed crust.
It's then accompanied by a tangy and vibrant sesame slaw - which is made with crisp herbs and veggies, and a tangy rice wine vinegar dressing.
The whole thing is not only colorful and delicious but it's also super easy to make and impressive to serve!
It's one of my fav summer grilling recipes that really shows off your skills... even if you don't really have any!
Ingredients and Substitutions
THE SLAW
- Cabbage - I used regular ole' green cabbage but you could definitely use purple cabbage for more color.
- Lime - Fresh lime juice adds so much flavor so I don't recommend another citrus to replace it.
- Rice Wine Vinegar - This is the ideal asian vinegar to use but you could probably get away with using red wine vinegar or even apple cider vin.
- Sesame Oil - Sesame oil adds the perfect nutty nuance that makes this slaw so delicious. I do not recommend skipping it.
- Cilantro - There is no substitution for cilantro. If you don't like it, simply leave it off.
- Scallions - You can replace the scallions with another onion of your choice if you don't have any.
SESAME CRUSTED AHI TUNA
- Ahi Tuna Steaks - I get these frozen at Aldi for $6 and they are awesome!
- Sesame Seeds - I use a combination of white and black sesame seeds but you could definitely stick to one color if that's all you have.
- Kosher Salt - No substitution for salt!
THE TACOS
- Sweet Hawaiian Taco Shells - Any variety of taco shells will work - so basically just use your favorite ones if you can't find the hawaiian kind!
- Eel Sauce - Dark soy sauce or even a thick Teriyaki sauce would work in place of eel sauce.
- Spicy Mayo - I make my own spicy mayo which can be found here, aptly named yum yum sauce!
- Pickled Jalapenos - You could also use fresh or leave them off if you don't like heat.
How to make it
You'll be shocked at how easy it is to make these sesame crusted ahi tuna tacos!
First, you'll want to start on the slaw and heat your grill over high.
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and toss. Set aside while you prepare the fish.
In a shallow bowl, combine sesame seeds and salt and stir to combine.
Place the tuna steaks in and pack them so that they’re coated in the sesame seeds on both sides.
Once the grill has been warming up for about 15 minutes, it's ready to use!
Add sesame crusted tuna steaks to the grill and cook for 1-2 minutes or until you see a slight white line develop on the side that’s cooking.
Flip them and cook for another minute or until the outside is seared and the inside is raw.
Meanwhile, grill taco shells for 1 minute to heat them up and get a little char.
Remove everything from heat, let the tuna rest then slice into strips.
Assemble tacos with a spoonful of slaw, a few slices of the sesame crusted ahi tuna, a drizzle of eel sauce, spicy mayo, and a few pickled jalapenos.
What goes with Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos with Asian Slaw
For a side, I suggest my Xi'an Famous Foods Chinese Inspired Smashed Cucumbers Salad recipe or my Bang bang broccoli.
For more recipes like this try my Sweet Chili Salmon Sushi Cup , or my salmon sushi bake.
As for dessert I highly suggest my easy 4 ingredient nutella fudge, or this no bake mango sticky pie.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ahi tuna and regular tuna?
Ahi tuna and "regular" tuna are actually the same fish. The term "ahi" is the Hawaiian word for yellowfin tuna, which is the most common type of tuna used in sushi and sashimi. In other parts of the world, yellowfin tuna is simply called yellowfin tuna.
Is ahi tuna a raw fish?
In this case, it's seared so it's slightly raw and slightly cooked. Ahi tuna can be eaten completely raw, but it is important to make sure that it is fresh and has been frozen and handled properly to kill any parasites.
Can you substitute salmon for ahi tuna?
Yes, you can substitute sushi-grade salmon for ahi tuna in most recipes. Both fish are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but salmon has a slightly higher fat content and a fishier flavor. If you are looking for a fish with a fresh flavor, ahi tuna is a good choice. However, if you are looking for a fish with a healthier fat profile, salmon is a better option.
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Recipe
Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos with Sesame Slaw
Ingredients
FOR THE SLAW
- 3 cups Cabbage
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- ½ whole Lime juiced
- 3 tablespoon Seasoned RIce Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- ¼ cup Cilantro
- ¼ cup Scallions
FOR THE SESAME CRUSTED TUNA
- 12 oz Ahi Tuna Steaks defrosted
- 2 tablespoon White Sesame Seeds
- 2 tablespoon Black Sesame Seeds
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
FOR THE TACOS
- Sweet Hawaiian Taco Shells
- Slaw
- Sliced Ahi Tuna
- Eel Sauce
- Spicy Mayo
- Pickled Jalapenos
Instructions
FOR THE SLAW
- Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and toss. Set aside
FOR THE SESAME CRUSTED TUNA
- Preheat your grill over high heat for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine sesame seeds and salt in a small shallow bowl and then place the tuna steaks in and pack them so that they’re coated in the sesame seeds on both sides.
- Add sesame crusted tuna steaks to the piping hot grill and cook for 1-2 minutes or until you see a slight white line develop on the side that’s cooking. Flip it and cook for another minute or until the outside is seared and the inside is raw.
- Meanwhile, grill taco shells for 1 minute to heat them up and get a little char.
- Remove everything from heat, let the tuna rest then slice into strips.
FOR THE TACOS
- Assemble tacos with a spoonful of slaw, a few slices of tuna, a drizzle of eel sauce, spicy mayo, and a few pickled jalapeños.
