Classic Tuna Tartare Recipe

Name: Classic Tuna Tartare Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 oz Sushi Grade Tuna (diced into small cubes); 1/4 cup Soy Sauce; 1 tsp Sesame Oil; 1 tsp Rice Vinegar; 1 Avocado (diced and seasoned with salt and pepper); 1 English Cucumber (sliced (for serving)); 1 Scallion (thinly sliced (for garnish)); Black And White Sesame Seeds (for garnish)

Looking for a light and elegant appetizer? This Classic Tuna Tartare Recipe is a surefire hit for any occasion! Fresh sushi-grade tuna mixed with zesty citrus, crisp cucumber, and a hint of spice makes for a refreshing treat that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious. Serve this Tuna Tartare Avocado Recipe on a bed of greens for a starter that’s sure to impress!

Why You’ll Love Tuna Tartare On Avocado

Fresh and Flavorful: Made with sushi-grade tuna and seasoned to perfection, this dish is bursting with fresh flavors.
Elegant and Easy: Despite its sophisticated appearance, this recipe is simple to prepare and makes a stunning appetizer.
Healthy and Light: Packed with protein and healthy fats from avocado, it’s a nutritious choice that’s also delicious.

Tuna Tartare Recipe Ingredients

Fresh Sushi-Grade Ahi Tuna: Diced yellow fin Tuna into small cubes, this high-quality tuna serves as the star ingredient of the Tuna Tartare, providing a delicate texture and rich flavor.
Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor to the tuna tartare, enhancing its taste profile.
Sesame Oil: Infuses a nutty aroma and depth of flavor to the dish, complementing the freshness of the tuna.
Rice Vinegar: Provides a subtle tanginess that balances the richness of the tuna and adds brightness to the dish.
Avocado: Diced and seasoned with salt and pepper, the creamy avocado adds a smooth texture and a touch of richness to the tartare.
English Cucumber: Sliced thinly, the cucumber serves as a refreshing base or accompaniment to the tuna tartare, adding crispness and a hint of freshness.
Scallion: Thinly sliced scallions are used as a garnish, offering a mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
Black and White Sesame Seeds: Sprinkled on top for garnish, these seeds add visual appeal and a subtle crunch to the tuna tartare.

How To Make Classic Tuna Tartare On Avocado

Step One: In a bowl, combine the fresh raw tuna. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix well to coat the finely chopped raw tuna. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Season the diced avocado with salt and pepper.

Step Two: After the marinating time, drain the tuna from its marinade. To plate the tartare, use a plating ring. Start by adding a layer of diced avocado at the bottom of the ring. Follow with a layer of marinated tuna. Press down gently.

Step Three: Sprinkle a pinch of black and white sesame seeds over the tuna. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions.

Step Four: Carefully remove the plating ring to reveal a beautifully layered Tuna Tartare on Avocado. Serve with cucumber slices or crackers on the side for an extra crunch and freshness.

Make Your Avocado Tuna Tartare Appetizer Perfect

Choose the Freshest Tuna: Use sushi-grade ahi tuna to ensure the highest quality and safest raw fish for your tartare.
Quick Marination: Marinate the tuna briefly before serving to enhance the flavors without overpowering the freshness of the fish. Around 5-10 minutes is ideal.
Avocado Choice: Choose a quality avocado using the advice below!

Choosing The Best Avocado For Tuna Tartare

When making tuna tartare on avocado, selecting the right avocado is crucial for both texture and flavor. Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect avocado:

Ripeness: The avocado should be ripe but firm. You can test this by gently pressing the skin with your thumb. If it yields slightly under pressure, it’s ripe. If it feels mushy, it’s overripe, and if it’s very hard, it needs more time to ripen.
Color: Look for avocados that are dark green to nearly black. The darker color often indicates ripeness, but always combine this with the feel test to ensure it’s not overripe.
Skin Condition: Choose avocados with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid avocados with significant dark spots, cracks, or indentations as these may indicate bruising or other internal damage.
Stem Check: Try peeking under the dry stem or cap at the top of the avocado. If it comes away easily and you see green underneath, the avocado is likely ripe. If it’s brown underneath, the fruit may be overripe. If the stem doesn’t come off, the avocado may need more ripening time.

Variations

Spicy Tuna Tartare: Add lime juice, rice wine vinegar, and a dash of chili garlic paste to the tuna mixture, and serve with crispy fried wonton chips.
Italian Tuna Tartare: Add diced tomatoes, olives, and a touch of olive oil to the fresh fish, garnishing with fresh basil.
Tuna Tartare With Mango: Why not add mango to the dish and create a juicy tropical tuna tartare mango variation.

Substitutions

Bluefin Tuna Tartare: Switch your ahi Yellow fin tuna for bluefin tuna. Showcase this option by combining it with finely chopped chives, a drizzle of truffle oil, and a touch of lemon zest, served on a crisp crostini for an indulgent treat.
Tuna Tartare Tacos: Switch the cucumber in this dish for tacos and create tuna tartare with a Mexican flair.

How To Store Tuna Tartare

Refrigerate: This Tuna tartare avocado dish is an appetizer which is generally eaten at the start of a meal. If you do have leftovers then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days

What To Serve With Tuna Tartare?

Crispy Wonton Chips: Light and crispy wonton chips provide a perfect vehicle for scooping up the delicate tuna tartare.
Seaweed Salad: A traditional seaweed salad offers a savory and slightly sweet side that complements the flavors of the tartare.
Pickled Ginger: Thin slices of pickled ginger add a tangy and slightly spicy kick that enhances the delicate flavor of the tuna.
Mango Cucumber Salad: A refreshing mango cucumber salad with a touch of lime and chili provides a sweet and slightly spicy side dish.

FAQ’S

What Is Tuna Tartare?

Tuna tartare is a dish made from raw tuna that has been cut into small pieces or diced finely. It is often seasoned and mixed with other ingredients like avocado, onions, and a variety of sauces and spices.

What Are The Best Seasonings For Tuna Tartare?

Common seasonings for tuna tartare include soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon or lime juice, and herbs like chives or cilantro. Some variations also include wasabi or ginger for additional flavor.

Can Tuna Tartare Be Made Ahead Of Time?

It’s best to prepare tuna tartare just before serving to maintain the freshness and texture of the raw tuna. However, you can prep the accompanying ingredients ahead of time and mix them with the tuna right before serving.

Blue Fin Tuna Vs Yellow Fin Tuna?

We use yellow fin tuna in this Tuna tartare avocado recipe. Bluefin and Yellowfin tuna for tartare, both offer excellent qualities but have distinct characteristics.

Ahi, is leaner than Bluefin and has a slightly milder flavor. It’s still highly prized for sushi and sashimi and works wonderfully in tartare, especially when you want a firmer texture and a clean, straightforward flavor that pairs well with a variety of seasonings.

Known for its rich, buttery taste and a higher fat content, Bluefin tuna is often considered the more luxurious choice. Its fat marbling makes it exceptionally flavorful, which stands out in a simple dish like tartare. Bluefin’s texture and taste can make the tartare feel more indulgent.