How to Cook Tuna Steak for a Fast Gourmet-Style Dinner

Grill, bake, and skillet-cook—3 ways to get the most decadent tuna steak, courtesy of our Test Kitchen.

Fact checked by Marcus ReevesFact checked by Marcus Reeves

Tuna steak's firm texture and mild to moderate flavor are just a couple of reasons why it's so popular, from gourmet restaurant meals and sushi to canning (by the way, before we start talking about cooking fresh tuna, here's how to cook with canned tuna ). Chefs love getting creative with cooking tuna, but even novice home cooks can learn how to cook tuna steaks on a grill, in the oven, or on the stove. Let's dive in, and get ready for the tastiest tuna steak, no matter the cooking method you choose.

How to Season Tuna

The first step in your complete guide for how to cook tuna fish is adding your desired flavor enhancers.

• Before cooking tuna steaks, check for scales. If any are present, rinse with cool water. Pat dry with paper towels.

• Measure the thickness of the fish with a ruler, so you know how long to cook tuna steak.

• Fresh tuna steaks love a good marinade recipe, which flavors this fairly mild fish and helps keep it moist during cooking. A short marinating time is all it needs, from 15 minutes to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Tuna pairs especially well with Asian-inspired flavors.

• Instead of marinating, you may brush the fish with olive oil or melted butter and season as desired. For example, try brushing tuna with olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle it with snipped fresh herbs (such as rosemary or tarragon), salt, and ground black pepper.

How to Cook Tuna Steaks 3 Ways

Tuna steaks need a watchful eye during cooking to remain tender and moist. Don't be turned off if your tuna looks medium-rare, whether you're baking tuna steak, skillet-cooking tuna steak, or grilling it. Because tuna steaks get dry and chewy when overcooked, the center should still be pink when it's done cooking. Some people like their tuna even more rare in the center, so adjust these suggestions on how long to cook tuna steaks accordingly.

Related: Healthy Fish and Seafood Recipes You'll Want to Add to Your Menu ASAP

How to Grill Tuna Steaks

Take a break from beef burgers, hot dogs, and shrimp skewers, and become a pro at cooking tuna on a grill by following these simple steps.

1. Grease the unheated grill rack or spray it with nonstick cooking spray. If not marinated, brush the tuna steaks with melted butter or olive oil, and season as desired.

2. For direct grilling on a gas or charcoal grill, place the tuna steaks on the greased grill rack directly over medium heat. Grill, covered, for 4 to 6 minutes per ?-inch thickness, turning once halfway through cooking. Fish should begin to flake when tested with a fork, but still be pink in the center.

3. For indirect grilling, preheat the grill. Reduce heat to medium and place tuna on the grill rack over a drip pan. Cover the grill. Grill for 7 to 9 minutes per ?-inch thickness or until fish begins to flake when tested with a fork but is still pink in the center, turning once halfway through cooking.

If desired, try this Test Kitchen trick for cooking tuna steak on a grill that's even more flavorful: Brush tuna with additional melted butter or olive oil after turning.

How to Cook Tuna Steaks in a Skillet

Searing tuna steaks in a hot skillet caramelizes the surfaces of the fish and locks in the moisture. For best results when mastering how to cook tuna steak on a stove, start with ?-inch-thick steaks.

1. Choose a heavy skillet that best fits the number of tuna steaks you are cooking. Add 1 Tbsp. oil and 1 Tbsp. butter to the skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until hot.

2. Add the tuna steaks. The steaks should sizzle when added. Cook, uncovered, for 4 to 6 minutes per ?-inch thickness (6 to 9 minutes for the ?-inch-thick steaks we suggest), turning once during cooking. Fish should begin to flake when tested with a fork but still be pink in the center. Adjust the heat as needed if the skillet gets too hot.

How to Bake Tuna Steaks

Here's how to cook tuna steak in an oven to keep your stove top free for whipping up a side dish.

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place tuna steaks on a greased baking sheet or sheet pan in a single layer. If they're not marinated, brush the tuna steaks with melted butter or olive oil, and season as desired.

2. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes per ?-inch thickness of fish or until fish begins to flake when tested with a fork but is still pink in the center.

How Long to Cook Tuna Steaks

When you're learning how to cook fresh tuna, don't try to cook your tuna steaks until there's no pink left in the middle. Remove them from the heat while the center is still pink to keep them moist and delicious, following the cooking times per the three methods above.

Related: Stop Overcooking Your Fish: 2 Sure Signs It's Done

How to Buy and Store Fresh Tuna

Any method of cooking tuna will produce the best results if you start with a good piece of tuna. Here's what to look for.

• Fresh tuna comes in a long loin that a fishmonger (a person or retailer that sells fish) cuts into tuna steaks. Tuna season is usually late spring into early fall, but it's available frozen year-round. If you're wondering how to cook frozen tuna steak, you can follow the instructions above after thawing the tuna steaks in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours.

• Raw tuna varies from light pink to a reddish-brown color, depending on the variety. It can have a dark portion on the steak, which is edible but stronger in flavor. Sometimes this part is trimmed out before you buy it.

• Tuna steaks are sold skinned. Look for tuna with moist flesh and a fresh and pleasant, not fishy, smell.

• When purchasing, figure on one 4- to 5-ounce tuna steak per person. For optimum freshness, cook tuna the day you buy it.

If you're anything like us, now that you're practically a pro at how to cook tuna steaks in various ways, you'll find as many ways as possible to sneak fish recipes into your family's meal plan ideas. Your taste buds and your heart will thank you (hat tip to the omega 3s!).

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes well with tuna steaks?

Tuna steaks go with just about anything you would serve with beef steaks or baked or grilled chicken. Roasted vegetables are always a good choice, or a pasta salad works. Also, sweet potato or French fries would be a great side dish for grilled tuna steaks.

What type of tuna has the lowest mercury?

Skipjack tuna (used in canned light tuna) has the lowest mercury levels, while bigeye tuna has the highest.

Which variety of tuna should I avoid?

Keeping fish sustainability in mind, avoid bluefin and bigeye tuna, as they are overfished or endangered. Instead, try these tuna steak recipe ideas with albacore or skipjack tuna.

Is it safe to eat raw tuna?

If you’re planning on making homemade sushi, sashimi, or a delicious poke bowl, know there are safer ways to eat raw tuna without secondary health risks. Go for varieties such as bluefin, skipjack, albacore, or yellowfin with a high presence of fat (you’ll see a deep, shiny red color with marbling fat) which lean
on the safer side. Avoid eating it at room temperature or after it’s been stored in the fridge for days, and if possible, freeze it to avoid parasite proliferation. Of course, consider buying your tuna from a reputable source, and labeled as sushi or sashimi-grade. Another alternative would be baking sushi rolls, if you're concerned about eating raw fish.

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