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    Gastronotherapy » Recipes » Salads

    Seared Ahi Tuna Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette

    Modified: Jun 26, 2025 · Published: Aug 8, 2017 · by MaryAnne · 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy and healthy Ahi tuna salad combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, and a spicy wasabi vinaigrette for a satisfying summer salad that's ready in 15 minutes!

    I love becoming obsessed with a new salad recipe that I end up eating for 5 days straight because it's so good. This flavorful tuna steak salad falls into that category.

    tuna steak salad in a white bowl with cucumbers, scallions, avocado, and cherry tomatoes.

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    Chop a few veggies, make the wasabi vinaigrette, and this delicious salad can be made in just 15 minutes. As you can see from the photos, it's a beautiful and colorful salad as well, and makes a very impressive salad to serve to guests.

    For more summer salads, try my salad with crisp cucumber and apple, gorgonzola, pistachio, and apple salad, summer bean salad, and summer pasta salad.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Ahi tuna steaks - Also known as yellowfin tuna, this is the tuna that is often used in sashimi and sushi (aka sushi-grade tuna).
    • Scallions - I love the subtle heat that scallions provide, and they work in partner with the wasabi in this salad.
    • Cucumber - Cucumbers supply crispness and freshness and are perfect for this tuna steak salad.
    • Wasabi paste - Japanese horseradish plant that packs a hefty (and tasty!) punch.

    Flavor Variations & Substitutions

    • Add sliced bell peppers, crispy wonton strips, sliced radishes, or edamame for added crunch and texture.
    • Use a sesame-ginger dressing for a variation with less spice.
    tuna steak salad with wasabi vinaigrette in a large white bowl sitting on a marble counter top

    How To Make Ahi Tuna Salad

    Coat your steaks with salt and pepper. Place 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a saute pan, and heat pan over high heat. Add tuna steaks to the hot pan and sear tuna 2 minutes on each side. Remove tuna from heat.

    Combine greens, scallions, cucumber, avocado, and tomatoes in a bowl.

    In a smaller bowl, whisk wasabi, vinegar, and soy sauce. Whisk in 2 tbsp. olive oil and 2 tbsp. sesame oil to combine dressing.

    Drizzle dressing over your salad and toss to coat evenly. Use a sharp knife to slice tuna into ¼" strips on an angle, and arrange on the salad. Sprinkle salad with toasted sesame seeds. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Expert Tips for Success

    • Use Sushi-Grade Ahi Tuna
      Look for tuna labeled sushi-grade or sashimi-grade to ensure the freshest quality. This guarantees a melt-in-your-mouth texture and safe consumption when seared rare.
    • Pat the Tuna Dry Before Searing
      Moisture is the enemy of a good sear! Patting the tuna steaks dry with paper towels before adding them to the hot pan helps create that golden, crusty exterior in seconds.
    • Don’t Overcook the Tuna
      Ahi tuna is best enjoyed rare to medium-rare. Just 1-2 minutes per side in a smoking-hot pan is all you need. Overcooking makes it tough and dry.
    • Chill Your Greens for Extra Crunch
      Store your salad greens in the fridge until just before serving. Crisp, cold greens offer the perfect contrast to the warm seared tuna and bold wasabi vinaigrette.
    • Customize the Heat in the Wasabi Vinaigrette
      Wasabi can vary in strength depending on the brand. Start with a small amount, taste, and adjust to your spice tolerance. If you're sensitive to heat, try a dab of Dijon or horseradish instead.

    More Seafood Recipes

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    • salmon with creamy mustard dill sauce on a plate with roasted asparagus.
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    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 15 Healthy Weeknight Recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!

    tuna steak salad in a bowl with veggies.

    Ahi Tuna Salad Recipe

    Author: MaryAnne
    This easy and healthy Ahi tuna salad combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, and a spicy wasabi vinaigrette for a satisfying salad that's ready in 15 minutes!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American, Japanese
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 483 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • (8-10 ounces) Ahi tuna (sushi-grade)
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 5 ounces mixed pre-washed salad greens
    • 4 scallions, sliced
    • ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
    • ½ ripe avocado, sliced
    • 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 2 teaspoon wasabi paste
    • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, separated
    • 2 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

    Instructions
     

    • Coat your tuna steaks with salt and pepper. Place 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a saute pan, and heat pan over high heat. Add tuna steaks to the hot pan and sear tuna 2 minutes on each side. Remove tuna from heat.
    • Combine greens, scallions, cucumber, avocado, and tomatoes in a bowl.
    • In a smaller bowl, whisk wasabi, vinegar and soy sauce. Whisk in 2 tbsp. olive oil and 2 tbsp. sesame oil to combine dressing.
    • Drizzle dressing over your salad and toss to coat evenly. Slice tuna into ¼" slices, on an angle, and arrange on the salad. Sprinkle salad with toasted sesame seeds. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Notes

    • Use Sushi-Grade Ahi Tuna
      Look for tuna labeled sushi-grade or sashimi-grade to ensure the freshest quality. 
    • Pat the Tuna Dry Before Searing
      Moisture is the enemy of a good sear! Patting the tuna steaks dry with paper towels before adding them to the hot pan helps create that golden, crusty exterior in seconds.
    • Don’t Overcook the Tuna
      Ahi tuna is best enjoyed rare to medium-rare. Just 1-2 minutes per side in a smoking-hot pan is all you need. 
    • Customize the Heat in the Wasabi Vinaigrette
      Wasabi can vary in strength depending on the brand. Start with a small amount, taste, and adjust to your spice tolerance. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 483kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 7gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 27gSodium: 1049mgPotassium: 898mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1797IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Irina

      June 30, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      5 stars
      First, I am in love with your site! Second, I love your recipe, and I made this salad. OMG! It is one of the best I have ever made and eaten!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 01, 2021 at 12:01 pm

        Thanks so much, Irina! I appreciate your kind words about my site and the recipe!:-)

        Reply
    2. Katia

      June 30, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      5 stars
      Holy cow that wasabi vinaigrette was amazing!! just enough kick to it and so delicious

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 01, 2021 at 12:02 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, Katia!I think the wasabi vinaigrette makes this salad.

        Reply
    3. AISilva

      June 30, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      That tuna steak looks perfect, and the salad sounds so flavorful. I can't wait to try this! I've never made a wasabi vinaigrette before, great idea!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 01, 2021 at 12:03 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Sara Welch

      June 30, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      5 stars
      This was everything a gourmet salad should be, and then some! Easily, a new favorite recipes even my picky eaters gobbled this up!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 01, 2021 at 12:03 pm

        Fantastic, Sara!

        Reply
    5. Anaiah

      June 30, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      Love, love, love tuna steak salads and this recipe did not disappoint! The wasabi vinaigrette was perfect. The only thing I did different was add edamame to mine!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 01, 2021 at 12:04 pm

        Thanks, Anaiah! And adding edamame sounds delicious!

        Reply
    6. Sue

      June 14, 2022 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      This wasabi salad dressing was such a simple, but absolutely delicious, recipe!!! We were given a nice sized, fresh from the Pacific Ocean, piece of tuna. We seared it as you said and sliced it. It made the most fabulous gourmet salad with your wasabi dressing!!! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • MaryAnne

        June 15, 2022 at 1:13 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, Sue! Thanks for leaving such a positive comment! 😊

        Reply
    7. Meredith W.

      June 26, 2025 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      I was nervous to make this since I've never made tuna at home before. It was so easy, and it turned out really well! My partner said it was one of the best things I've ever made!!

      Reply
      • MaryAnne

        June 26, 2025 at 2:14 pm

        So happy to hear it was such a success, Meredith! It's one of my favorite summer salads, for sure. Thanks so much for leaving a review!

        Reply
    5 from 8 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi! I’m MaryAnne, the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Gastronotherapy, where I bring vibrant, delicious, and thoughtfully crafted mainly vegetarian and vegan (flexitarian) recipes to life. While my focus leans toward wholesome, nourishing dishes, my love for dessert ensures that indulgence always has a place at the table!

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