Bluefin Tuna Recipes: Sesame-Crusted Steak & Poke Bowl

February 14, 2025

Two ways to prepare bluefin tuna

A firm, boneless steak is convenient for a sesame crust; belly is richer and more delicate. Our bluefin otoro is a belly cut, not automatically a pair of uniform steaks. Check the cut and seasoning option before ordering. Dry-aged bluefin toro is custom-made and may require waiting for preparation.

Sesame-crusted steaks: two servings

2 boneless bluefin steaks, about 6 oz each
2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp neutral cooking oil
Black pepper to taste

Pat the steaks dry. Brush with soy sauce and sesame oil, then press sesame seeds onto both sides.
Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and turn when the crust is golden.
Reduce heat as needed to avoid burning the seeds. For fully cooked fish, continue until the center reaches 145°F; thickness affects timing.
Slice with a clean knife and serve with cucumber, rice and a separate sauce.

A brief surface sear leaves an undercooked center; it is not equivalent to fully cooking the fish.

Bluefin poke-style bowls: four servings

1 lb boneless bluefin tuna
2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar and 1 tsp honey
2 cups cooked rice
1 avocado, sliced; 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
Sesame seeds or shredded nori; optional cooked edamame

Whisk dressing in a clean bowl. Keep it separate from raw fish.
For cooked bowls, cook the tuna to 145°F in the thickest part, then slice or flake with clean utensils.
Divide rice, vegetables and tuna among four bowls and add a little dressing.
For raw poke only when appropriate for the specific fish, dice chilled tuna and toss with dressing just before serving. Keep chilled until assembly.

For a raw variation, ask the supplier about the specific fish and its handling for raw consumption; a “sushi-grade” label alone is not a safety guarantee. Raw or undercooked seafood carries additional risk. See the Poké nutrition and food-safety guide.

For an ahi version, use our ahi tuna bowl recipe. Wasabi Ahi Tuna Poké contains a different tuna from bluefin and may already be seasoned, so adjust additional dressing accordingly.

Follow the package’s thawing and handling instructions. Cook fish to 145°F in its thickest part. See FDA seafood guidance.