Toasted Sesame Ahi Salad Recipe

This Toasted Sesame Ahi Salad blends a mix of crisp, fresh vegetables with the delicate flavor of seared ahi tuna, creating a light and colorful dish. Drizzled with a savory-sweet sesame dressing, the salad’s base consists of mixed greens, cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Perfectly seared, the ahi tuna gives the meal a rich, soft protein boost. A further layer of crunch and nuttiness is added by the toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top, which improves the flavor profile. For any occasion, this salad’s strong, umami-rich dressing and harmonious textures make it the ideal light dinner or appetizer.

This is a recipe for a tasty, fresh, and simple Toasted Sesame Ahi Salad!

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• One pound of sashimi-grade ahi tuna
• Four cups of mixed greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula
• One thinly sliced cucumber
• 1/2 a red onion
• Half an avocado, sliced
• Half a cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 a cup of cherry tomatoes
• Two tablespoons of toasted black or white sesame seeds

For the Dressing:

• Three tablespoons of tamari or soy sauce (gluten-free)
• One tablespoon of rice vinegar
• One tablespoon of sesame oil
• One teaspoon of maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• One teaspoon of chili paste, if desired for spice

 

Instructions:

1. Heat the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, turning often, until aromatic and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Put aside.
2. Season the ahi tuna steaks with salt and pepper after lightly coating them with sesame oil.
3. Sear the tuna in a hot skillet or grill pan for one to two minutes on each side, depending on how done you like it. You want the inside to be rare to medium-rare and the outside to be charred. Once completed, turn off the heat and leave to rest.
4. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or agave), lemon juice, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning (add more honey for sweetness or more soy sauce for salt).
5. In a large mixing bowl, add the greens, avocado, cucumber, carrot, radishes, and edamame.
6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to mix.
7. After the tuna has rested for a minute, slice thinly against the grain.
8. Place the prepared salad on plates and top with sliced ahi tuna.
9. To add more crunch and flavor, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
10. Serve immediately for a light lunch or dinner. It goes wonderfully with a chilled glass of iced green tea.

 

Tips:

Here are some tips to take your Toasted Sesame Ahi Salad to the next level:

• Use Sushi-Grade Tuna: Since the tuna is only seared for a short period of time, always use sushi-grade tuna for this dish to ensure freshness and safety. The best cuts are usually marked as “sashimi-grade” at specialty shops or fish markets.

• Searing the Tuna: Don’t overcook the tuna when it’s seared! Rare to medium-rare is the ideal ahi tuna quality. The objective is to preserve the interior’s rawness and tenderness while scorching the exterior.
• Marinate the Tuna: Before searing, if you have time, marinate the tuna for ten to fifteen minutes in a mixture of sesame oil, grated ginger, and a little soy sauce. It will taste better as a result.

 

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