Blackened Ahi Tuna with Simple Mango Salsa

Updated: Jul 21, 2023 by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

Let me confess right now, this is the first time I've every bought and prepared a tuna steak. So, yeah I'll admit it, I've been kinda scared to give them a try at home. Recently I had an some Ahi Tuna at a Japanese restaurant and it was awesome! I'm also a HUGE fan for the tuna appetizer they have at outback.

So when I saw fresh Ahi Tuna steak on sale at the grocery store I picked some up, not having any idea how I would prepare it. I decided to go with a simple blackened approach and I happen to have some mango for a quick salsa.

The result? Well let me do a little dialogue recap of the evening...

Me: Don't kill me, I'm trying something new for dinner tonight.
The Husband: Oh God, what now?
Me: *sigh* well, I bought tuna steak and I as thinking a fun mango salsa. Doesn't that sound good?
The Husband: Ummmm not at all.
Me: Will you at least try it?
The Husband: OK.
25 minutes later, at the dinner table. We Sit down and the dish looks pretty good in my opinion!
The Husband: Let's see let me start with some broccoli. Yummm this rice looks good!
Me: JERK! Just try the darn fish!
The Husband: Ok, ok.
I stare him down waiting anxiously for a response.
Me: SO?
The Husband: It's good.
Me: Good? Like if you got it at a wedding would you like it, good?
The Husband: yeah.
Me: What if you ordered it at a restaurant? Would you order it again?
The Husband: I wouldn't have ordered it in the first place.
Me: That's not the point. Oh, forget it!
The Husband: Seriously, it's good. I like it.

So there you have it. I actually got the husband to eat a tuna steak! Now, I didn't go into the Mango discussion. Let's just say he ate around it, but that's exactly what I expected. Although he did say the seasoning on the tuna was perfect!

Ingredients

Simple Mango Salsa

½ mango diced
1 slice of a sweet onion diced (although I think red would be better)
about 10-15 grape tomatoes halved
½ teaspoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon lime juice

Blackened Spices

½ teaspoon each onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika
¼ teaspoon each cumin, oregano, basil, black pepper
⅛ teaspoon each ground red pepper, kosher salt

2 Ahi Tuna Steaks (aka Yellowfin) (4oz each)
Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients for the mango salsa and set aside.

Mix all the blackened spices together and spread on a paper plate.

Heat a skillet over high heat (preferably not a non-stick – you want it real hot). Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Dip one side of the tuna into the spices and immediately place on the skillet, spices side down. Repeat with the other fillet. Cook for 3 minutes.

Remove the tuna from heat and dip the other sides in the spices and place back into the skillet. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Remove from the heat, top with the salsa. I served with instant flavored brown rice and broccoli.

📖 Recipe