Ahi Tuna Salad with Sesame Dressing

Bright pink ahi tuna sliced on top of a salad.

5 from 3 votes

Ahi Tuna Salad with Sesame Dressing

A light salad that's delicious and flavorful, you'll love this seared ahi tuna salad for a healthy dinner or lunch with a sweet sesame ginger dressing.

Prep Time30

Cook Time5

Total Time35

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Lactose, Low Salt

Servings: people

Author: Alicia

Ingredients

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna

2 ahi tuna steaks
3 tablespoons mild cooking oil (I use sesame or grapeseed)
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
1 teaspoon rice flour
1/4 cup organic pear juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon sriracha hot sauce
1/3 cup white and/or black sesame seeds, toasted

Salad

4-5 oz mixed greens
1 large mango, sliced
1 large radish, sliced
1/3 cup green onions, chopped (about 1-2)

Sesame Ginger Dressing

1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoons coconut aminos
2 tablespoons pear juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1½ tablespoons tahini
1-2 teaspoons ginger (if using fresh use 2 teaspoons and if using dried use 1 teaspoon)
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste I used about 1 tsp

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the dressing, whisk all ingredients together till very smooth, or for best results put them in a small food processor and blend. Allow to sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to combine. If sesame seeds aren't toasted
For the ahi tuna sauce, combine the coconut aminos, flour, pear juice, honey, and sriracha in a small pot. Heat over medium high heat until simmering. Allow to simmer till thickened, about 5 minutes.
In another non-stick or cast iron pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Lightly salt both sides of the ahi and add to the pan. Sear for 1-2 minutes on the first side, flip and brush with the thickened sauce. Sear another 1-2 minutes for rare to medium rare. For medium, sear 3 minutes. Remove the ahi steak the pan and brush the just cooked side with the remaining sauce.
Spread your sesame seeds on a plate and lay your tuna on them, coating both sides of the fish. Slice very thin.
Combine the lettuce and a spoonful of the dressing, tossing till well-coated. Place the seared tuna on top with the radish, green onion, and mango.

Notes

If you can't find pear juice, apple juice will work in a pinch. But I would highly recommend trying for the best flavor.
Toast the sesame seeds by either broiling on high heat and watching VERY carefully for about 1-2 minutes or heating them in a dry skillet over medium heat till very lightly browned.
Purchase frozen sushi grade or good quality fresh ahi tuna from a trusted fishmonger. Remember raw or undercooked fish does increase the risk of foodborne illness, so purchasing good quality is essential.
The longer the fish sits after cooking, the more it will cook through on the inside. If you want this just barely seared, cook for 1 minute on both sides and slice quickly. If you'd like your tuna more cooked through, cook 2 minutes on the first side and 2-3 on the second.
If not following a migraine diet, you can substitute soy sauce for coconut aminos, however, the recipe will be much more sodium heavy. I would recommend balancing it with some sweetness like extra honey.

Nutrition