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Home » Cuisines » American » Grilled Tuna Steak with Marinade

Grilled Tuna Steak with Marinade

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This recipe for grilled tuna steak is fast and easy. Thick tuna steaks get marinated in a zesty soy orange marinade and then grilled until they are lightly charred on the outside but still tender and delicate inside. For extra flavor, brush some additional marinade on the steaks while cooking.

Slices of grilled tuna steak on a plate with rice and a radish salad.

I love cooking on my grill all year, and especially in the summer. Grilling is a great way to get delicious, healthy meals on the table without spending too much time in a hot, stuffy kitchen. Plus, it’s an easy way to entertain friends and family. 

You can serve these grilled tuna steaks with a simple side dish or your favorite vegetables. For a complete meal, serve this fish with a cucumber radish saladgrilled Italian sweet peppers, and wild blend rice.

A tuna steak on a plate with a cucumber radish salad.

❤️ Here is Why This Recipe Works

  • The grilling method: The high heat of the grill cooks the outside of the tuna quickly, creating a nice crust. The inside of the tuna remains moist, tender, and rare. 
  • Minimal Preparation Time: This recipe is perfect for those with busy schedules, as it requires minimal preparation and cook time. With a quick marinade and a brief stint on the grill, these tuna steaks can be ready to serve in just over 30 minutes. 
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The zesty soy orange marinade imparts a great flavor to the tuna steaks, making this recipe a surefire hit with friends and family. 
  • Heart-healthy protein. Tuna is a heart healthy fish with high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein. By grilling rather than frying, you can keep your meal as healthy as possible. 

The Ingredients

Here is a list of the simple ingredients you will need for our grilled tuna steaks recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details. 

  • Tuna steaks. You can use fresh or frozen tuna (thawed completely). We used Ahi tuna steaks in the photo, but this recipe works with any type of tuna, such as albacore tuna, bluefin tuna, and yellowfin tuna steaks. 
  • Vegetable oil. Use an oil with a high smoke point for this recipe. 
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Marinade. We combined orange juice, fresh ginger, and soy sauce with ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. 
Two uncooked tuna steaks on a counter.

?‍? How to Grill Tuna Steak

Here is a brief overview to get an idea of what to expect when grilling tuna steaks. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

Marinade sauce for tuna steak.
  1. Combine the ingredients for the marinade.
Marinating a tuna steak in a resealable bag.
  1. Add the tuna steaks to the marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
  2. Let the grill heat to about 500°F. It takes about 30 minutes to prep a charcoal grill so you can do this while the tuna marinates.

Drying marinade off the surface of a tuna steak.
  1. Use a paper towel to pat the tuna steaks dry.  
Brushing oil on a tuna steak.
  1. Brush the fish with oil, and place them directly on the grill grates.
A tuna steak on a grill.
  1. Let the tuna cook undisturbed for 60 to 90 seconds, then turn it and repeat on the other side. 
  2. If you want the tuna steaks cooked to medium or well-done, lower the heat (or move them to a cooler zone) and let them cook to your desired doneness. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice or homemade tartar sauce. 

More Grilling Recipes

Tips for Success

  • Prevent food from sticking to the grill: Clean the grill grates, then coat the grates and the fish in oil. If the fish sticks to the grill, slide a thin metal spatula or fish spatula under it to loosen it up.
     
  • You don’t need a thermometer: This is one of the few meat recipes that you do not need a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. You can watch the side of the tuna as it cooks, and the color will change dramatically. Rare portions of the steak will look almost purple, and the well-done portion will turn white. 
  • Don’t overcrowd the grill. If you have too many tuna steaks on the grill at once, the temperature will drop, and the tuna will not cook evenly.
  • Don’t overcook the tuna. Overcooked tuna will be tough and dry. I realize that some people prefer their tuna cooked well done, so this is totally personal preference. But be aware that the longer it cooks, the drier and tougher it will become.
  • Choose a thick cut of tuna. Look for tuna steaks that are 1-1/2 to 2 inches thick (or thicker) so they don’t cook too fast and dry out. 

✅ Substitutions and Variations

Experiment with marinades: While the soy orange marinade is a crowd-pleaser, other flavor combinations also work. Try our Japanese marinade, the herb marinade in our grilled rack of lamb, or use a store-bought marinade. 

Swap out the soy sauce: If you want to reduce the sodium content in the marinade or have a soy allergy, use coconut aminos as a substitute. 

Use a dry rub: Instead of a wet marinade, season the tuna with a dry rub as a flavorful alternative. Our Cajun seasoning mix is great with tuna, or you can use a lemon pepper seasoning similar to the one in our honey lemon pepper wings. Or you can dredge the steaks in sesame seeds just prior to grilling. 

?️ Serving Suggestions

Elevate your grilled tuna steak by serving it with sides that complement the flavors of the dish. Some options include a light grapefruit fennel saladsteamed broccoli or grilled eggplant salad, and a flavorful grain like quinoa pilaf or sprouted brown rice

Here are some more ways to serve grilled tuna.

For the perfect dessert, serve grilled peaches or grilled pineapple. It’s the best way to use the grill as the coals cool down. 

A whole tuna steak with grill marks.

⏲ Storage and Reheating

In the fridge: Place leftover grilled tuna steaks in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. 

In the freezer: Let the tuna steak cool completely then place it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. 

To reheat: When it comes to reheating grilled tuna steak, the key is to avoid overcooking and drying it out. To reheat your tuna steak, bring it to room temperature, then get a skillet smoking hot and sear it quickly on both sides. 

? More Fish Recipes 

Are you looking for more delicious fish recipes? Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner party or a special occasion, these recipes are perfect for any event. Dive into the list below to discover your next favorite fish dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tuna fish good for grilling?

Tuna is an exceptional choice for grilling due to its firm texture. Its meaty consistency holds up well on the grill, making it easy to handle and cook evenly. 

How long does it take to grill ahi tuna?

It takes 60 to 90 seconds per side to cook a tuna steak on a hot grill. The cooking time will depend on the desired doneness and the thickness of the tuna steaks. Thicker steaks will need more time. 

Do you flip tuna on the grill?

Yes. You should flip the tuna steaks over and cook them on the other side. Be careful not to overcook your tuna, or it will have a dry texture. 

Is it safe to eat raw tuna?

There is a risk to eating raw or rare tuna (as with any undercooked meat). If you are concerned about eating raw tuna, use your judgment. You can always cook the fish more well done. 

Grilled tuna steaks make a delicious and healthy dinner. This recipe is fast and easy to make, and you can serve it with a variety of sides. The zesty citrus marinade gives the tuna steaks a flavorful kick, making them a surefire hit with friends and family. 

⭐️ Helpful Tools

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♥️ More Recipes You Will Love:

We used fresh tuna in our tuna crudotuna poke bowls, and tuna sashimi salad. They are delicious ways to enjoy sushi grade raw tuna. 

Our tuna piccata also uses fresh tuna steaks, but they get a quick sear in a hot skillet before getting topped with a tangy piccata sauce. 

If you are looking for canned tuna recipes, we have a growing collection:

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Slices of grilled tuna steak on top of some aioli sauce.

Grilled Tuna Steak

This marinated grilled tuna steak is a quick and easy meal. The orange soy ginger marinade gives the tuna an amazing or you can skip the marinade and season the tuna with salt and pepper. Either way, the tuna steaks will turn out tender and buttery in the center with a delicious seared crust.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 179kcal
Author: Pat Nyswonger

Ingredients

Marinade for Tuna

  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  • 2 s teaspoon red pepper flakes

For the Grilled Tuna

  • 1 to 2 tuna steaks about 1-¼ to 2 inches thick
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • salt and pepper
  • lemon dill aioli

Instructions

  • Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a shallow dish or a re-sealable food storage bag: soy sauce, rice vinegar, orange juice, sesame oil, sugar, scallion, ginger, and red pepper flakes. 
  • Add the tuna steaks to the marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
  • Fire up a pellet grill, gas grill, or charcoal grill and let it heat to about 500°F. Clean and oil the grill grates. 
  • Remove the tuna steaks from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. 
  • Brush them with a liberal coating of cooking oil then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. 
  • Place the tuna steaks directly on the hot grill grates and close the lid to the grill. 
  • Let the tuna cook undisturbed for 60 to 90 seconds then turn it and repeat on the other side. If the fish sticks to the grill, slide a thin metal spatula or fish spatula under it to loosen it up. 
  • If you want the tuna steaks cooked to medium or well-done, lower the heat (or move them to a cooler zone if using a charcoal grill) and let them cook for 3 to 5 minutes. You can watch the side of the tuna as it cooks and the color will change dramatically. Rare portions of the steak will look almost purple and the well-done portion will turn white. 

Notes

  • Fresh tuna steaks are best cooked rare or to a degree of rareness, depending on personal preference. You can cook them well done, however, they will be dry. If this is your first time cooking tuna steak, try them rare first. You can always toss them back on the grill if you want them cooked more.
  • Add a liberal coat of oil to the grill grates and the surface of the tuna steaks.
  • If the grill grates are clean and oiled, the tuna will loosen from the grill as soon as it gets a good sear. If you find the tuna sticks to the grate, sometimes all you need to do is let it cook for a few more seconds. If you still have trouble, slide a thin metal spatula under the surface to loosen it up. 
  • Use an oil with a high smoke point.
  • If you have frozen tuna steaks, let them thaw completely before you begin. 
  • Nutrition calculation does not include the aioli sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz. | Calories: 179kcal | Protein: 26.5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 43mg

Pat Nyswonger

Pat is a wife, mom of four adult children, and grandmother to seventeen beautiful children. She is a self-taught home cook and loves creating delicious meals for her family and friends. Her kitchen is the hub of activity in her home, and she loves to entertain.

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