Description
A quick and flavorful recipe for tuna steaks served with a refreshing cucumber relish, perfect for a light and healthy meal. The tuna is marinated in olive oil and grilled or griddled to a tender, slightly pink finish, complemented by a zesty relish made from cucumber, spring onions, tomato, red chili, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Tuna Steaks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tuna steaks, about 140g/5oz each
Cucumber Relish
- ½ cucumber
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
- ½ large red chili, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp lime or lemon juice
Instructions
- Marinate the Tuna: Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil into a resealable food bag and add the four tuna steaks. Rub the oil thoroughly over the steaks to coat them evenly. Seal the bag and allow the tuna to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Prepare the Cucumber Relish: Peel the cucumber, then cut it lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Dice the cucumber flesh into small pieces. In a bowl, combine the diced cucumber, finely chopped spring onions, chopped tomato, seeded and chopped red chili, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, chopped parsley, and lime or lemon juice. Stir well and season to taste. Set the relish aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Tuna (Grill or Griddle): If grilling, preheat your grill until it is hot and ready. Remove the tuna steaks from the marinade bag, gently dabbing off excess oil, then season as desired. Grill the tuna steaks for about 2 minutes on each side for a rare to medium-rare finish, keeping the center slightly pink for optimal tenderness and flavor. Alternatively, to griddle, heat a pan over high heat until very hot, then cook the steaks for 2 minutes on one side before turning and cooking for another 2 minutes on the other side. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the steaks.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cooked tuna steaks from heat and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes. This rest time helps the juices redistribute within the fish. Spoon the fresh cucumber relish over the tuna and serve immediately for a light, healthy, and delicious meal.
Notes
- The tuna is best served slightly pink inside to maintain its moist, meaty texture.
- For barbecue grilling, make sure the grill is hot, and cook the tuna steaks for barely 2 minutes on each side for optimal flavor.
- You can adjust the heat level of the relish by adding more or less red chili according to your taste preference.
- Allow the tuna to marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Resting the tuna after cooking is essential to retain its juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: tuna steaks, cucumber relish, grilled tuna, healthy seafood recipe, easy summer meal, Mediterranean tuna
