Quick Answer: What Are The Best Ways To Cook Yellowfin Tuna?

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Yellowfin tuna is healthy, delicious and can be prepared in a variety of different ways. The most common methods include baking, pan searing, grilling, confiting, sous vide, oil poaching and cooking it from frozen. All of these methods are very simple to complete and take between a couple of minutes to 1 hour to prepare, depending on the approach.

When it comes to getting enough omega-3, most of us tend to fall back on the same types of fish.

Instead of going for the same old salmon or cod, why not switch it up a bit with a little yellowfin tuna?

Yellowfin tuna is full of nutrients, such as niacin and B-12 and is a great alternative to the traditional canned tuna.

When it comes to preparing this delicious dish, there are numerous ways in which it can be approached. These methods include baking, pan searing, grilling, confiting, sous vide and oil poaching.

You may be thinking, “I have no clue what some of those are,” but don’t worry. We are about to tell you everything you need to know when it comes to cooking yellowfin tuna to perfection.

Oh, and if you forgot to take the tuna out of the freezer, all hope is not lost. Read on to find out more.

How To Bake Yellowfin Tuna In The Oven?

Baking your yellowfin tuna is super easy and takes just 12 minutes to cook.

If you love sheet pan meals, this approach is ideal as you can add any veggies and potatoes to the fish for a wholesome and hearty meal.

This recipe makes enough for 4 people and is great for a family weeknight meal.

We highly recommend preparing these filets with a marinade as this will really help to up the flavor factor.

Allowing it to sit in the marinade for at least an hour is also preferable as this will allow the juices to soak in.

If you’re not sure what seasonings to pair with your tuna, check out the FAQ section at the end of this article.

It’s really important not to overcook tuna as it will lose a lot of its flavor. Tuna is done when it begins to flake and the center is still pink in color.

Remember that this recipe is specific for ¾-inch thick filets, so keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size.

RELATED: 14 Savory Sides To Serve With Tuna Steak

How To Pan Sear Yellowfin Tuna?

If you’re short on time, this method should definitely be your go-to.

Pan searing tuna is the most popular approach as it’s not only super efficient but also super tasty.

Seared on the outside with a red, medium-rare finish on the inside, deelish.

Allowing your steaks to soak in a marinade for an extended period of time is totally optional, but it will definitely increase the flavors.

This recipe pairs really well with seasonings such as soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, salt and pepper and if you like a little heat, cayenne pepper.

Remember that depending on the thickness of your steaks, the cooking time frame may alter.

Cutting your tuna into slices is also not necessary, but it is how it is most commonly eaten.

How To Grill Yellowfin Tuna?

If you love that summertime flavor on your tuna that only a grill can provide, then this is the approach for you.

Grilling never disappoints and when it only takes 12 minutes, you know you can’t go wrong.

As always, the longer you marinade your steaks, the more flavor they will have.

Every grill is different, so to be sure your tuna is done, simply cut a small incision in the center and if it’s pink, it’s finished.

How To Confit Yellowfin Tuna In A Slow Cooker?

If you’re not familiar with the term, confit essentially indicates a very slow cooking process that allows food to be preserved.

This recipe uses a slow cooker to complete this and produces a delicious end result.

Meal prep never looked this good!

The cooking time will vary depending on how thick your steaks are. For the size provided in this chart, we recommend cooking the tuna to a temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare and 145 for well-done.

Don’t throw away the leftover oil! Strain it with a sieve and store it in the fridge for up to 3 months (perfect for salad dressings).

This tuna can be stored in the fridge submerged in oil in a container for up to 1 week.

RELATED: 25 Fresh Tuna Recipes Perfect To Impress Your Family

How To Sous Vide Yellowfin Tuna?

Sous vide is a method of cooking where food is placed into a bag and then into a water bath at a regulated temperature.

This method is used by many high-end restaurants and will be sure to give you a top-tier tuna experience!

Place your tuna steaks side by side in the vacuum bags so that they cook evenly.

Speaking of the bag, ensure no air gets into it and that it is fully covered by the water bath.

The steaks will sear better in the pan if you dry them prior to placing them in the skillet.

If your steaks are thicker, remember they may take longer to cook.

How To Oil-Poach Yellowfin Tuna?

Oil poaching is a cooking method where food is submerged into hot oil.

It’s fairly easy to complete and will make your tuna steaks super silky and tender in texture.

To enhance the flavors of your tuna steaks, we recommend adding some garlic and rosemary as well.

You will know your steaks are done in the oven when the center is a rosy shade.

How To Cook Frozen Yellowfin Tuna In The Air Fryer?

If you’re in a rush to get dinner on the table, the air fryer is definitely your best bet as it only requires a few short minutes to cook your tuna.

Plus, if you forgot to take your steaks out of the freezer, you can prepare tuna steaks from frozen in the air fryer.

These instructions are for steaks ½ an inch thick, so if you are using 1-inch tuna steaks, we recommend doubling the time.

When placing the tuna steaks in the air fryer, make sure they are not touching and in single file.

If your food has a tendency to stick to your air fryer, add a little oil prior to cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Yellowfin Tuna?

Yellowfin is a type of tuna that is very meaty and mild in flavor. If cooked properly, yellowfin tuna is moist and flaky. It can, however, also be eaten raw as sushi or sashimi.

Yellowfin tuna is often described as having more flavor than albacore and being more lean than bluefin.

Is Yellowfin Tuna Healthy?

Yellowfin tuna is very healthy and a great source of protein and omega-3. Other vitamins include niacin, pyridoxine (B-6) and B-12.

Yellowfin tuna is also low in calories.

What Spices Go Well With Yellowfin Tuna?

Yellowfin tuna can be spiced with a variety of ingredients, including:

Garlic
Parsley
Basil
Lemon
Rosemary
Cayenne Pepper
Chervil

What Side Dishes Can You Serve With Yellowfin Tuna?

Yellowfin tuna pairs well with a diverse range of side dishes, including:

Salad
Potatoes/fried
Veggies
Rice
Pasta salad
Eggs & English muffin (for breakfast!)

Do You Have To Marinade Yellowfin Tuna?

Marinating your tuna is not necessary, but it has many benefits, including boosting the flavor of your steaks as well as preventing your tuna from drying out during the cooking process.

How To Pan Sear Yellowfin Tuna?

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 6 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Tuna steaks are marinated and then seared in a skillet on medium-high heat for 1 1 /2 - 2 ½ minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Materials

Yellowfin tuna steaks (approx. 1-inch thick)
Marinade of your choice
Canola oil

Tools

Paper towel
Resealable bag
Medium skillet
Cutting board

Instructions

Prepare your marinade in a resealable bag
Place steaks in the bag (OPTIONAL: allow to sit in marinade for up to 1 hour)
Heat skillet on medium-high temperature
Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil to pan
Sear the tuna steaks for 1 ½ minutes if you like yours medium-rare and 2 ½ minutes if you like them well done (flipping them halfway through)
Remove from pan and cut into small slices on a cutting board

How To Bake Yellowfin Tuna In The Oven?

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Yellowfin tuna filets are marinated for an hour and then placed in the oven for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Materials

4 ¾-inch thick yellowfin tuna filets
Marinade of your choice

Tools

Oven
Resealable bag
Baking sheet
Parchment paper or cooking spray
Spatula

Instructions

Prepare your marinade and place it in a resealable bag
Put your filets in the bag and allow to soak for at least an hour
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Place your filet on a baking sheet with either parchment paper or cooking spray
Cook in the oven for 6 minutes
Flip the tuna filets and cook on other side for another 6 minutes
Remove from the oven and enjoy!

How To Grill Yellowfin Tuna?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Yellowfin tuna steaks soak in a marinade before being grilled for 5-6 minutes on medium heat on each side.

Materials

Yellowfin tuna steaks
Marinade of choice
Oil

Tools

Resealable bag
Grill
Grill spatula

Instructions

Prepare marinade in resealable bag
Soak steaks in marinade (the longer, the more juices it absorbs)
Preheat your grill to medium heat
Oil the grates on the grill
Remove the steaks from marinade and place on grill
Baste with leftover marinade
Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side and remove from grill

How To Confit Yellowfin Tuna In A Slow Cooker

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Tuna is submerged into oil in a slow cooker for approximately 50 minutes before being removed and cut into small pieces for preservation

Materials

2 8-ounce yellowfin tuna filets (¾ -1 inch thick)
Salt & pepper
1 3/4 cups extra-virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves
Handful fresh thyme sprigs
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if desired)

Tools

Slow-cooker
Small sheet pan/dinner plate
Large spoon
Instant-read thermometer
Fish spatula
Platter
Spoon
Storage container
Measuring spoons/cups

Instructions

Slow-cooker
Small sheet pan/dinner plate
Large spoon
Instant-read thermometer
Fish spatula
Platter
Spoon
Storage container
Measuring spoons/cups

Set your tuna on the sheet pan or dinner plate
Put oil, salt, pepper, garlic (smashed) and red pepper flakes (optional) in slow-cooker
Set your slow cooker to high and cook for 20 minutes
Use your thermometer to check that oil has reached a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit
Place tuna in oil, if oil doesn’t cover it, add more
Put the lid back on the slow cooker and bake for another 20-30 minutes (until tuna starts to flake)
Remove tuna from slow cooker with a fish spatula and place on a platter
Use a spoon to break the tuna up into large pieces
Serve and enjoy!

How To Sous Vide Yellowfin Tuna?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Tuna steaks are placed in a vacuum seal bag and then submerged in a sous vide water bath until cooked. They are then seared in a pan.

Materials

Tuna steaks
Salt
Pepper
Avocado oil

Tools

Sous vide cooker
Vacuum seal bag
Vacuum sealer
Cast iron skillet

Instructions

Set your sous vide water bath to a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit
Season tuna with salt and pepper
Put your tuna in a vacuum seal bag and close it
Cook the tuna in the water bath for 45 minutes
Heat your skillet on the stove over high heat
Add avocado oil
Sear tuna steaks for 45 seconds on each side (until you see a crust)
Remove from heat and enjoy!

How to Oil-Poach Yellowfin Tuna?

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Tuna steaks are spiced and placed in hot oil in a saute pan before going in the oven for approx. 25 minutes.

Materials

Tuna steaks
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Spices of your choice

Tools

Oven
Saute pan
Thermometer

Instructions

Remove tuna from fridge
Season your tuna steaks with oil, salt, pepper, and spices of your choice
Allow to sit for about an hour until tuna is at room temperature
Preheat oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit
Add enough oil into a saute pan so that it will cover the tuna steaks
Heat on low heat for 2-3 minutes (to 120 degrees Fahrenheit)
Set the steaks in the oil and then into the oven in the middle
Cook for approx. 25 minutes

How To Cook Frozen Yellowfin Tuna In The Air Fryer?

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 3 minutes 30 seconds

Total Time: 8 minutes 30 seconds

Difficulty: Easy

Tuna steaks are seasoned and cooked in the air fryer from frozen at 370 for approx. 3-5 minutes, ensuring to flip them halfway through.

Materials

Tuna steaks
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Seasonings of your choice

Tools

Air fryer
Brush

Instructions

Stir together olive oil, salt, pepper and desired spices and brush onto tuna steaks - leave for 5-10 minutes
Preheat air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit
Place tuna steaks in air fryer for 2 ½ minutes
Flip and cook for 1 ½ minutes for medium steaks and 2 ½ for well-done steaks

Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!