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.

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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.
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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Ahi Tuna Salad Recipe
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.
Irina
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!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks so much, Irina! I appreciate your kind words about my site and the recipe!:-)
Katia
Holy cow that wasabi vinaigrette was amazing!! just enough kick to it and so delicious
Gastronotherapy
So glad you enjoyed it, Katia!I think the wasabi vinaigrette makes this salad.
AISilva
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!
Gastronotherapy
Thank you!
Sara Welch
This was everything a gourmet salad should be, and then some! Easily, a new favorite recipes even my picky eaters gobbled this up!
Gastronotherapy
Fantastic, Sara!
Anaiah
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!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks, Anaiah! And adding edamame sounds delicious!
Sue
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!
MaryAnne
So glad you enjoyed it, Sue! Thanks for leaving such a positive comment! 😊
Meredith W.
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!!
MaryAnne
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!