Spicy Blackened Tuna Steaks with Herb Crust
Experience the bold flavors of the ocean with these Spicy Blackened Tuna Steaks. Coated in a zesty spice blend that boasts thyme, oregano, and a kick from cayenne, these tuna steaks are seared to perfection for a delightful crust. The remaining cooking in the oven ensures a tender and juicy interior. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for guests, this recipe showcases the versatility of tuna and can easily adapt to chicken or other firm fish varieties.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Salt
1 teaspoon
Fresh Thyme
1 teaspoon (minced)
Dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Sweet Paprika
1/2 teaspoon
Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Fennel Seed
1/2 teaspoon (crushed)
Tuna Steaks
4
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a small bowl, combine salt, minced fresh thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, ground black pepper, and crushed fennel seed to create the spice mix.
3
Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Place them on a baking sheet and brush both sides generously with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
4
Evenly sprinkle the spice mix on the top of each tuna steak, ensuring a good coating.
5
Heat a heavy, large skillet over high heat until it's very hot. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom of the skillet.
6
Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the tuna steaks seasoned side down in the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute or until the bottom is deeply browned.
7
Using tongs, flip the tuna steaks and transfer them back to the baking sheet, browned side facing up.
8
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until the tuna steaks are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Blackened Tuna?
Spicy Blackened Tuna is a dish where tuna steaks are coated in a zesty herb and spice blend and seared at a high temperature to create a dark, flavorful crust.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
What ingredients make up the spice mix?
The spice mix consists of salt, minced fresh thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, ground black pepper, and crushed fennel seed.
Why do I need to pat the tuna steaks dry?
Patting the tuna dry with paper towels ensures that the olive oil and spice mix adhere better and helps achieve a superior sear.
How long do I sear the tuna in the skillet?
You should sear the seasoned side of the tuna for approximately 1 minute or until it is deeply browned.
How long should the tuna bake in the oven?
The tuna steaks should bake for approximately 8 minutes depending on your preferred level of doneness.
Can I use a different type of protein besides tuna?
Yes, this recipe is versatile and can easily be adapted for chicken or other firm fish varieties.
What kind of skillet is recommended for searing?
A heavy, large skillet is recommended to maintain the high heat necessary for blackening.
How much olive oil is required?
A total of 2 tablespoons of olive oil is used: 1 tablespoon for brushing the steaks and 1 tablespoon for the skillet.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, the inclusion of cayenne pepper gives these tuna steaks a noticeable kick.
What flavor does fennel seed add?
Crushed fennel seed provides a unique, slightly sweet and aromatic note to the herb crust.
Do I season both sides of the tuna?
The instructions specify brushing both sides with oil but sprinkling the spice mix evenly on the top of each steak.
What should the oil look like before adding the fish to the pan?
The oil should be shimmering and the skillet should be very hot before adding the tuna.
What type of paprika is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for sweet paprika.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
While fresh minced thyme is recommended, dried thyme could be used as a substitute in a smaller quantity.
How do I transfer the tuna to the oven?
After searing, use tongs to flip the steaks and place them back onto a baking sheet, browned side up, before putting them in the oven.
Is this a quick recipe to make?
Yes, it is described as a quick weeknight dinner that is also impressive enough for guests.
What category of food does this fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Tuna and Seafood.
What are the primary herbs used in the crust?
The primary herbs used are fresh thyme and dried oregano.
Does this recipe include nutritional information like calories?
The provided data does not include specific values for calories, fat, or carbohydrates.
How many tuna steaks are needed?
The recipe requires 4 tuna steaks.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I prepare the fennel seeds?
The fennel seeds should be crushed before being added to the spice mix.
Should I use a specific type of pepper?
The recipe calls for both cayenne pepper for heat and ground black pepper for flavor.
What is the texture of the finished tuna?
The tuna features a delightful crust on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the interior.
Can I cook this entirely on the stovetop?
This specific recipe uses a two-step process: searing on the stovetop and finishing in the oven for even cooking.
What tags are associated with this dish?
Tags include blackened tuna, spicy tuna, fish recipes, healthy dinner, quick recipes, seafood, grilled tuna, and mediterranean.
Is there a serving size mentioned?
The serving size is not specifically defined beyond the recipe making 4 total servings.
How much cayenne pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.