Tuna steaks are a delicious fish dish. Whether you bought a frozen one or took it out of your freezer, you can defrost it in the refrigerator or microwave. Once thawed, you can sear it or grill it to make an exquisite dish.
Ingrediants
Seared Tuna Steak
For 2 people
- 2 tuna steaks
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
Grilled Tuna Steak
For 4 people
- 4 tuna steaks of 100 g each
- 35 g of chopped parsley
- 2 sprigs of tarragon, removing the leaves and stripping them of the stems
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of lemon zest
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Defrost the Steak in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Leave the tuna steak in its packaging to thaw it
Usually, the fish is sold in plastic bags - or some other type of wrapping. It is not necessary to remove this wrapper when defrosting it: the operation will work perfectly even inside the plastic package.
Step 2. Place the steak in the refrigerator
It is very important not to leave it at room temperature either in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house, because the fish deteriorates very quickly: the refrigerator will defrost it and keep it fresh at the same time. Leaving it at room temperature will thaw the outermost layer while the inside will deteriorate.
Use a thermometer to make sure the refrigerator temperature is below or equal to 5 ° C - this is the right temperature for defrosting fish
Step 3. Leave the tuna steak in the refrigerator overnight
While it can take a few hours for it to defrost, it's best to be sure it's done completely before cooking it - a whole night is enough time for it to defrost completely.
Do not leave the steak in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours - the longer it stays there, the greater the chance that it will go bad
Step 4. Remove it from the refrigerator the next day
After thawing it overnight, you can take it out of the refrigerator. At that point, you can remove it from the plastic bag and check that there are still no traces of ice.
Method 2 of 4: Using the Microwave to Defrost the Steak
Step 1. Weigh the steak on a scale
Most microwave ovens will indicate in their instruction book how to defrost different types of food. Usually, the first step is to weigh the food in question. Place the steak on the kitchen scale or use a paper towel to weigh it on a bathroom scale.
Write down the weight on a slip of paper or on your mobile phone
Step 2. Set the microwave to defrost mode and enter the weight of the steak
If your oven does not require the weight of the food, you can defrost the fish at 5 minute intervals; if so requested, the appliance will tell you how long to defrost it.
Step 3. Check the steak every 5 minutes to see if you can fold it
After 5 minutes have passed, take it out of the oven and press lightly to see if it bends. If it's still very stiff, put it back in the oven for another 5 minutes.
- Turn the steak over after 5 minutes: it is preferable that it is defrosted evenly, so that it is also easier to cook.
- Do not worry if you can bend it, but it still seems cold or frozen: if it bends it is certainly thawed.
Method 3 of 4: Sear a Tuna Steak
Step 1. Coat the steak with soy sauce, oil, salt and pepper
Place it on a clean plate and pour over 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of soy sauce and a tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil, then add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Try to distribute the ingredients evenly over the steak.
- Use the amount of salt and pepper you prefer; also add some chilli if you want to give it an even more lively taste.
Step 2. Let it marinate in a container or bag
Place the steak in a large container or airtight bag and let it marinate for just 10 minutes if you don't have much time, or overnight.
By letting it marinate overnight you will get the maximum taste out of every bite you give it once cooked
Step 3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high or high heat until it is piping hot
Pour a tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil into the pan and let it heat for a few minutes. Do not leave it on the heat too much or the steak will burn very quickly.
Step 4. Place the steak in the pan and sear it
Sear it for 2.5 minutes on each side if you want medium or rare (2 minutes for rare, 3 minutes for medium).
Step 5. Cut the steak into 1.5 cm thick slices and serve
Use a sharp knife for this, after which you can serve the steaks with a side of spring onion or on a bed of salad.
If you have any leftovers, keep them in the fridge and consume them within 3 days
Method 4 of 4: Make a Grilled Tuna Steak
Step 1. Rub the steak with a clove of garlic, then season it with a pinch of salt and pepper
After placing it on a plate, cut a clove of garlic and rub it on the steak, then add salt and pepper to taste.
Add some cayenne pepper to give your steak a stronger flavor
Step 2. Place it in an airtight bag and let it marinate with the lemon zest
Open the bag, put the steak inside, then add 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and close. Shake the bag to evenly distribute the lemon zest over the steak.
You can also place the bag on the table or on another surface and then rub the lemon zest on the steak
Step 3. Open the bag and pour a little oil into it
Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil to the bag and squeeze it to release all the air inside before closing it again. Finally, shake it to sprinkle all of the steak with oil.
Step 4. Refrigerate the steaks to marinate overnight
Leave the steak inside the hermetically sealed bag and place it in the refrigerator for this amount of time: in this way the steak will absorb the olive oil and the flavor of the lemon zest.
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator the next day before reheating the grill
Step 5. Heat the grill for 15-20 minutes
Gas grills are easy to light - you just need to make sure the lid is up when you do this. If you use a charcoal grill, do not light it with flammable liquid, otherwise the food will take on the taste of chemicals; rather use a fireplace lighter.
- Gas grills need 10 minutes to fully heat up, while charcoal grills need 20 minutes.
- Fireplace lighters can be purchased at an affordable price online or at electrical stores.
Step 6. Arrange the steaks on the grill
Remove them from the bags before placing them on the grill, then cook them on one side until they turn a beige color, then flip and cook until a light pink color remains on the edge.
When the sides of the steak take on a uniform beige color, it is ready
Step 7. Serve the steaks
You can serve them with a salad or with your favorite sauce, but a little fresh spring onion will be fine too.
