Sous Vide Tuna Steak
If you’re looking for the best way to cook tuna Try Sous Vide Tuna Steak! This method cooks delicate fish in a temperature-controlled water bath to ensure a perfectly cooked piece of tuna that’s ready for finishing or eating as-is!
Tuna steak is a cut of tuna fish that is ideal for cooking. It is a thick, juicy steak packed with flavor and nutrients. When cooked properly, tuna steak is an incredibly delicious and healthy option for a meal!
Tuna steak has a distinct, rich flavor that is unlike any other fish. It is a versatile protein that can be cooked in various ways, making it an excellent option for various recipes. The most popular types of tuna are albacore, ahi, bluefin, and yellowfin.
Though you can cook tuna steaks in many ways, we love using the sous vide method!
✅Why Sous Vide Method Is The Best Way To Cook Tuna Steak
- Sous vide is a method of cooking food in which the food is sealed in a bag and cooked in a water bath at a consistent temperature. This cooking method allows the fish to retain its moisture and flavor while also ensuring that it is cooked evenly throughout.
- Tuna cooked using the sous vide method is incredibly moist and flavorful and has a texture that is unlike any other cooked fish. This cooking method also allows you to cook tuna to your exact liking, whether you prefer it rare, medium, or well done.
- In addition to being cooked perfectly every time, sous vide tuna is also extremely versatile. It can be served with various sauces and sides, making it a perfect dish for any occasion.
🐟Key Ingredients & Helpful Tools
- Tuna Steaks – Look for fresh, sushi-grade tuna steaks about 1-inch thick. You can also buy them frozen.
- Immersion Circulator – The best immersion circulator is by Anova because it’s top-of-the-line quality and has a great app that connects with your phone. You can also use a budget-friendly brand such as the SAKI or InkBird brand.
- Vacuum Sealer – Use any basic vacuum sealer with your sous vide. You can also use these sous vide bags with hand pump for about $15.
- Vacuum Sealer Bags – Purchase a set of different sizes for ease and variety.
- Large Pot or Sous Vide Container – If you’re cooking a lot with the sous vide, it’s helpful to have a container that’s perfectly sized to hold the immersion circulator and the food its cooking. Otherwise, you can use a large pot or heat-safe container.
- Sous Vide Clips or Sous Vide Weights – These accessories are made to keep the food submerged in the water while it cooks to make sure it cooks evenly. You can purchase these or use a heavy kitchen utensil and binder clips.
Check out The Best Sous Vide Accessories for a perfect cooking experience!
💦Water Displacement Method
Don’t have a vacuum sealer? The water displacement method works by using the principle of Archimedes, which states that a body submerged in water is buoyed up by force equal to the weight of the water displaced by the body.
This means that the heat of the surrounding water cooks the food in the sealed bag without coming into direct contact with the water. This cooking method is often used for delicate foods such as fish, eggs, and vegetables. You can use the water displacement method to properly secure your fish for sous vide using the following steps:
- Place your food in a Ziploc freezer bag, making sure to get as much air as possible.
- Seal the bag most of the way, leaving a small opening at the end to let air escape.
- Submerge in the water letting the air come up to the top using the pressure of the water.
- Once the bag is submerged to the seal, close it fully before fully submerging it into the water.
📖How To Sous Vide Tuna Steak
1️⃣Heat the water bath: Choose your desired temperature using the table below and fill your pot or sous vide container with water. Add the immersion circulator and set the correct temperature.
2️⃣Prepare the tuna: Pat the fish dry completely, then add desired dried seasonings and/or butter. Place the fish in a vacuum-sealed bag in a single layer or use the water displacement method to remove the air.
3️⃣Sous vide the tuna steak: Once the water has come up to temperature, submerge the fish into the water bath and use weights or clips to keep it down. Cook for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size or if it’s frozen.
4️⃣Finish and serve: Once it’s finished cooking, remove from the water bath with tongs and carefully open it. Pat dry with paper towels, then use any of the finishing methods below. Adjust seasonings and enjoy!
⏲️Best Time and Temperature To Cook Tuna Steak
What temperature do you sous vide tuna steak, and for how long? Generally, you can expect your tuna to be cooked in about 30 minutes at a temperature ranging from 100F – 130F for the best flavor and texture.
- Rare: 100F for 30 minutes – This will produce pink fish in the center with a more raw taste. Use this time and temperature to finish the dish with a high heat method.
- Medium: 115F for 30 minutes – This is the perfect temperature to cook your fish if you’re looking for something with a slightly firm texture while still being moist and tender.
- Well Done: 130F for 30 minutes – This will give you fish cooked all the way through and has a slightly firmer flaky texture just like canned tuna.
🥩Finishing & Searing
There are four ways to finish your tuna after it has been cooked sous vide. Keep in mind that fish can be extremely delicate after cooking with all of its moisture, so handle your fish carefully to prevent it from breaking.
- Skillet – This is the best way to finish sous vide tuna. Simply heat up a skillet on medium-high heat with some oil. Sear each side of the fish for about 1 minute or until it becomes slightly browned and crispy. Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
- Broiling – Preheat your oven to the highest broil setting to broil tuna. Place your fish on a lightly oiled baking sheet and place it in the oven. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until the top becomes slightly browned and crispy. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
- Grilling – Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Grill your tuna steaks for 1-2 minutes per side or until it becomes slightly browned and crispy. Remove from the grill and serve immediately.
- Air Fryer – Preheat your air fryer to 400F. Place your tuna in the air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes or until it becomes slightly browned and crispy. Remove from the air fryer carefully with a spatula and serve immediately.
👩🏻🍳Chef’s Tips
- Tuna is often very delicate and is even more delicate when cooked in its juices. Ensure you are carefully removing and finishing the fish to keep it from breaking.
- Because the tuna gets cooked in its moisture, the seasoning will go a long way! Start with less than you think you need to and add more when finishing.
- If you’re not enjoying your tuna immediately, remove it from the sous vide and place it in an ice bath for 10 minutes. Then, store in the fridge for up to 3 days before finishing and serving.
- How To Sous Vide Frozen Tuna Steak: If you’re using frozen fish, add 15 minutes more of cooking time to ensure its thawed properly. You may only need to add 5 minutes for thinner cuts of fish.
🧂Seasoning Ideas
Tuna is one of the most versatile foods because it can take on the flavor of anything you pair it with. Try these serving suggestions and seasoning ideas!
- Serve with a bright salsa or chimichurri sauce.
- Try an Asian-inspired dish and top with pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and soy sauce.
- For a classic flavor, serve with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.
- Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs for a simple but delicious meal.
- Make a wasabi mayo by mixing 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, one teaspoon of wasabi paste, and one tablespoon of lime juice.
More Sous Vide Seafood Recipes
- Sous Vide Lobster Tail
- Sous Vide Frozen Shrimp
- Sous Vide Mahi Mahi
- Sous Vide Flounder
- Sous Vide Trout
Sous Vide Tuna Steak
Equipment
- Sous Vide Container or large pot
- Sous Vide Weights or heavy kitchen utensil
- Vaccuum Sealer
- Vacuum Sealer & Bags or freezer safe bags for Water Displacement Method
Ingredients
- 1 pound Tuna Steaks 1 inch thick
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Choose your desired temperature using the table below and fill your pot or sous vide container with water. Add the immersion circulator and set the correct temperature.
- Pat the tuna steaks dry completely, then add desired dried seasonings and/or butter. Place the fish in a vacuum-sealed bag in a single layer or use the water displacement method to remove the air.
- Once the water has come up to temperature, submerge the tuna into the water bath and use weights or clips to keep it down. Cook for 30-45 minutes depending on the size or if it's frozen.
- Once it’s finished cooking, remove it from the water bath with tongs and carefully open it. Pat dry with paper towels, then use any of the finishing methods below. Adjust seasonings and enjoy!
Notes
⏲️Best Time and Temperature To Cook Tuna Steak
What temperature do you sous vide tuna steak, and for how long? Generally, you can expect your tuna to be cooked in about 30 minutes at a temperature ranging from 100F – 130F for the best flavor and texture.- Rare: 100F for 30 minutes – This will produce pink fish in the center with a more raw taste. Use this time and temperature to finish the dish with a high heat method.
- Medium: 115F for 30 minutes – This is the perfect temperature to cook your fish if you’re looking for something with a slightly firm texture while still being moist and tender.
- Well Done: 130F for 30 minutes – This will give you fish cooked all the way through and has a slightly firmer flaky texture just like canned tuna.
