OBX Blackened Tuna Bites Recipe

This OBX blackened tuna bites recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer, perfect for a party or as a light meal. Made with fresh tuna, a blend of spices, and a quick sear in a hot skillet, these tasty bites are full of flavor and pack a spicy punch.

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Serve them on their own, with a dipping sauce, or on top of a salad for a satisfying and healthy meal. With just a few simple ingredients and a quick cooking time, these blackened tuna bites are sure to become a new favorite.

Blackened tuna bites are small pieces of fresh tuna that are seasoned with a blend of spicy herbs and spices, such as cumin, paprika, and oregano. The tuna is then quickly seared in a hot skillet until the outside is blackened and crispy, while the inside remains tender and moist. The result is a delicious and flavorful appetizer that is packed with protein and is perfect for a party or as a light meal. Blackened tuna bites can be served on their own, with a dipping sauce, or on top of a salad for added crunch and texture.

What is the best sauce to serve with Outer Banks Blackened Tuna Bites?

There are many delicious sauces that would pair well with this blackened tuna bites recipe. Some popular options include:

Lemon wedges or a lemon-based sauce, such as lemon-dill mayonnaise, will add a tangy and fresh flavor to the tuna.
A spicy mayo sauce, that includes sriracha or hot sauce, which will complement the spicy seasoning on the tuna.
A creamy sauce, such as a garlic-herb mayonnaise or aioli will add richness and depth to the dish.
A citrus-based sauce, such as a ponzu sauce or a yuzu kosho sauce, which will provide a bright and refreshing contrast to the rich tuna.

Ultimately, the best sauce to serve with blackened tuna bites will depend on your personal preferences and the other flavors included in the dish. Experiment with different sauces to find your perfect pairing.

Main Ingredients Needed

blackened-tuna-seasoning — Blackened seasoning

Delicious Blackened Tuna Bites Recipe

Serving Size:

4 oz

Time:

25 minutes

Difficulty:

Easy

Ingredients

2 pounds of fresh tuna steaks
4- 5 tablespoons of blackened fish seasoning, prepared (I prefer Zatarain’s Blackened Seasoning)
3 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions

Rinse tuna and cut it up into 2-inch squares. Pat dry tuna. Place tuna and seasoning into a resealable plastic bag or container, and shake to coat. Make sure each piece of tuna is thoroughly coated with seasoning.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Allow 5-8 minutes for the skillet to reach temperature.
Gently add tuna to skillet and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown or blackened.
Do not overcook. A little pink inside is fine.
Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Homemade Tuna Steak Seasoning

To make blackened fish seasoning, you will need the following ingredients:

1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

To make the seasoning, simply combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix until well combined. Use the seasoning immediately, or store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for later use. To use the seasoning, simply sprinkle it evenly over the fish and rub it in to coat the surface. Then, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the fish until it is blackened and cooked through. This seasoning is perfect for fish like tuna, salmon, and red snapper, and will add a spicy and flavorful kick to any dish.

Be sure to see tips on how to reheat tuna!

FAQ About Fresh Tuna

What is the best tuna for sushi?

When it comes to sushi, the best tuna to use is typically bluefin tuna. This type of tuna is highly prized for its fatty, flavorful meat, which is ideal for sushi. Other types of tuna, such as yellowfin and albacore, can also be used for sushi, but they may not be as flavorful or as high-quality as bluefin tuna. It’s important to note that bluefin tuna is a highly sought-after and overfished species, so it’s best to consume it in moderation and opt for sustainably-sourced tuna whenever possible.

Is ahi tuna the same as Yellowfin tuna?

Yes, ahi tuna is the same as yellowfin tuna. Ahi is the Hawaiian name for yellowfin tuna, and it is often used to refer to tuna that is caught and served fresh, rather than canned or processed. Yellowfin tuna is a type of tuna that is found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.
It is known for its lean, firm flesh and is highly sought after for use in sushi and other dishes. Ahi tuna is typically caught using fishing methods that are less damaging to the environment, such as pole and line fishing, and is often considered to be a more sustainable choice than other types of tuna.

Bluefin tuna vs Yellowfin tuna

Bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna are both highly sought-after types of tuna that are commonly used in sushi and other dishes. There are a few key differences between the two types of tuna:

Bluefin tuna is larger and more fatty than yellowfin tuna. It is typically found in the colder waters of the North Atlantic and is highly prized for its rich, flavorful meat.

Yellowfin tuna is smaller and leaner than bluefin tuna. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and is known for its firm, meaty flesh.

Bluefin tuna is more expensive and overfished than yellowfin tuna. Because of its popularity and high demand, bluefin tuna populations have been heavily depleted, making it a less sustainable choice.

Yellowfin tuna is more commonly caught using sustainable fishing methods, such as pole and line fishing, which reduces the impact on the environment.

Overall, both bluefin and yellowfin tuna are delicious and can be used in a variety of dishes. However, due to concerns about overfishing and sustainability, it may be best to choose yellowfin tuna over bluefin tuna whenever possible.

What type of tuna is used for canned tuna?

Skipjack tuna is used for 70% of all canned tuna. In general, the Skipjack tuna species is small in size, provides dark meat, and starts to reproduce at the age of one year old. Because of this, they are very abundant. The meat is very tender and easily cut into chunks, which makes them a great choice for canning.

Which tuna has the highest mercury levels?

Not all tuna species have high levels of mercury. In general, larger predatory fish tend to have higher levels of mercury because they accumulate the metal over their lifetime as they eat other fish that have already absorbed it.

Tuna is a type of predatory fish, and some species, such as bluefin tuna, are known to have relatively high levels of mercury. However, other species of tuna, such as skipjack and yellowfin, tend to have lower levels of mercury. It’s important to note that the levels of mercury in fish can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the fish’s age, size, and diet.

To minimize your exposure to mercury, it’s best to choose smaller, younger, and more sustainably-caught fish whenever possible.