Teriyaki Tuna Steaks with Sesame Cucumber Salad
Quickly seared tuna steaks with a sticky teriyaki glaze, served with a cool, crunchy sesame cucumber salad.
Made with Teriyaki sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.40 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Toss the cucumber with the rice vinegar, sesame oil, half the seeds and a pinch of salt. Leave to sit for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Pat the tuna dry and season lightly with salt. Heat the oil in a frying pan until very hot.
- 3
Sear the tuna for 90 seconds per side for pink in the middle, or 2 to 3 minutes per side for well done.
3 min - 4
Pour your ready made teriyaki sauce (see the base recipe) into the pan and turn the steaks for 30 seconds until glazed.
- 5
Slice the tuna against the grain.
- 6
Serve over the rice with the cucumber salad and the remaining sesame seeds.
Tips
- A very hot pan gives a golden crust without overcooking the middle.
- Buy tuna from a fishmonger or supermarket that sells it as fresh and suitable for searing. Cook it right through if serving to pregnant women or children.
- Salmon steaks or swordfish work if tuna is hard to find.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keeps 1 day in the fridge, cooled within 1 hour, and is best eaten cold in a salad. The cucumber salad keeps 1 day.
Questions
Can I cook tuna all the way through?
Yes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until opaque and flaky. It will be firmer and drier than seared tuna.
Can I use tinned tuna?
No, this dish needs fresh or frozen tuna steaks. Tinned tuna would not hold a sear.
More made with teriyaki sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
