Ahi Tuna Salad is so easy to pull together and has amazing flavors, from the fresh salad to the slightly seared tuna. The Asian dressing is sublime with sesame oil, umami paste, ginger, garlic, and more. In Hawaii, the word “ahi” refers to two species of tuna, the yellowfin tuna and the bigeye.
Before I dive into the Ahi Tuna salad recipe, you may also love these great tuna recipes too, Classic Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad and Sheet Pan Tuna Steak Dinner.
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Overhead view of bowls of Ahi Tuna Salad](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-overhead-27-Custom.jpg)
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Today we are joining together to help raise awareness for Heart Disease. Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic lost her Mom to heart disease when her mother was 47 and Kim was 15. Each year, on the day her Mom passed, she shares stories and photos of her Mom.
I lost my dad to heart disease many years ago, so this is also personal for me. Dad loved good food, and I cooked for him often, even from a young age. He would have loved this one, as he had a great appreciation for Japan. This is for you, Dad; I miss you!!!
Heart Healthy
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Sesame crusted tuna sliced on a black board](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-cooked-tuna-sliced-13-Custom.jpg)
Sesame and Grape Seed oils are very heart-healthy. We love to eat a lot of different foods in this house. We do have well-rounded meals with lots of fruits and fresh vegetables always included.
The little crunchy noodles are not the healthiest, but you only have to have a small amount of them to have a big impact. Everything is in moderation. One small Ahi tuna steak feeds three people, so it doesn’t have to be really expensive either. All of these wonderful ingredients make up this heart-healthy meal that you can have done in no time. 30 minutes and it’s ready, and the dressing is delicious!!
What Goes Into Ahi Tuna Salad
Let’s see what goes into the Ahi Tuna Salad recipe. There are 2 parts: Dressing and Salad.
Ingredients
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Ingredients for Asian Salad Dressing](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-dressing-ingredients-1-Custom.jpg)
DRESSING
Sweet onion
Grapeseed oil
High-quality olive oil plus 1 tbsp. for cooking
Ginger powder
Sesame oil
Garlic
Rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar
Lemon juice
Umami paste
Low sodium soy sauce
Powdered wasabi
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Ingredients for Ahi Tuna Salad](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-ingredients-4-Custom-1.jpg)
SALAD
Romaine lettuce
Red pepper
Mushrooms
English cucumber
Bean sprouts
Red onion, thinly sliced
Snap peas, cut in half
Ahi tuna steak
Black sesame seeds
Sesame seeds
Salt and pepper
Chow Mein noodles
How to Make Ahi Tuna Salad
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-dressing-in-a-blender-2-Custom-1-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-dressing-whirled-in-a-blender-3-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
- In a blender, add all the salad dressing ingredients and whirl until smooth. Set it aside.
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-lettuce-in-bowls-5-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-lettuce-topped-with-red-pepper-6-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-bean-sprouts-added-7-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-salad-ready-for-the-tuna-8-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
- Assemble salad using the romaine, red bell pepper, mushrooms, bean sprouts, cucumbers, red onion, and snap peas. Divide everything equally into four salad bowls.
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-coating-tuna-with-sesame-seeds-11-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-salads-and-tuna-steak10-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-searing-tuna-12-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-tuna-added-14-Custom-683x1024.jpg)
- Slice the tuna steak into 1 1/2″ wide slices. Mix sesame seeds together with salt and pepper. Roll the tuna steak in the sesame seeds.
- Heat olive oil in a cast-iron pan and sear ahi tuna for 1 minute per side or until desired cooking is achieved. Tuna should be on the rare side.
- Slice into small pieces and add the tuna steak to the salad.
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Overhead view of Ahi Tuna Salads and crunchy chow mein noodles](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-dressing-and-15-Custom.jpg)
- Drizzle with the sesame ginger dressing and garnish with chow mein noodles.
Can I Eat Ahi Tuna Raw?
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Closeup of Ahi Tuna Salad on fork](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-showing-the-rare-tuna-32-Custom.jpg)
Ahi tuna can be consumed raw but on a moderate level. Eating ahi tuna raw can be risky as it contains parasites that cause diseases. But these parasites pose zero risks once ahi tuna is cooked or frozen. So it’s better to avoid it in raw form until you understand all the risks.
That being said, high-quality tuna, namely sushi or sashimi, is popular for eating raw. Purchase sushi-grade tuna, and you won’t have any issue eating tuna raw or medium-rare. Yes, you can cook it to medium-rare; it is quite common for homemade tuna.
Can You Cook Ahi Tuna All The Way Through?
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Forkful of Ahi Tuna Salad](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-forkful-34-Custom.jpg)
You may, but it may lead to a difference in taste. The flavor and texture may get lost. Overcooking is not recommended. Instead, cook quickly over high heat. Leave fully cooked tuna for other uses like Open-Faced Tuna Sandwiches or Best Tuna Melt Casserole.
Enjoy all these wonderful dishes and rest assured they are on the healthier side.
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This post has been reworked for you; this was our old photo.
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Overhead view of Ahi Tuna Salad](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-1200-x-1200-1.jpg)
Pin it HERE!!
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Ahi Tuna Salad Pin](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-1000-x-2000.jpg)
Pin it HERE!!
![This Ahi Tuna Salad will fill the void for an Asian craving. Gorgeous, slightly seared crusted tuna is on top of a bed of salad with the best Asian dressing around! Finish it off with a little crunch from some chow mein noodles, and you have the perfect salad. Ahi Tuna Salad Pin](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-1000-x-1500-1.jpg)
![](https://noshingwiththenolands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ahi-Tuna-Salad-1200-x-1200-1-250x250.jpg)
Ahi Tuna Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 medium sweet onion chopped
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
- 1/4 cup good quality olive oil plus 1 Tbsp. for cooking
- 1 tsp. powdered ginger
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. Umami paste
- 1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp. powdered wasabi
Salad
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce washed and torn
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 6 large mushrooms sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber cut into large matchsticks
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 red onion sliced
- 12 snap peas cut in half
- 1 large ahi tuna steak
- black sesame seeds
- sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper
- Chow Mein Noodles
Instructions
- In a blender, add all the dressing ingredients and whirl until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble salad using the romaine, red pepper, mushrooms, bean sprouts, cucumbers, red onion, and snap peas into four bowls.
- Cut ahi tuna steak into 1 1/2" wide slices. Mix sesame seeds together with salt and pepper. Roll the tuna in sesame seeds.
- Heat olive oil in a cast-iron pan and cook tuna for 1 min. per side or until desired doneness. Tuna should be on the rare side.
- Slice into small pieces and arrange on salad.
- Drizzle with dressing and garnish with chow mein noodles.
Comments & Reviews
JanetFCTC says
I am so sorry for your loss :’-(
I rarely eat tuna out of anything but a can lol…. and I think I need to change that immediately
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m so sorry you lost your dad…we had a close call a couple of years ago with my own dad, and I am thankful for every day I have with him now. Mind you, he’s more of a steak and potatoes kind of guy, but I think even he could get on board with a salad this gorgeous… especially that wasabi dressing!
Kristi Rimkus says
I’m sorry for your loss. My dad died of a heart attack as a result of Diabetes. Thank you for bringing awareness to this awful disease. My mom loves ahi tuna, this is a must pass along recipe. She’ll be a happy camper.
Noshing with the Nolands says
So sorry for your loss!! I hope your mom loves the recipe!! Thanks for coming over!!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
I’m sorry about your father, Tara. I saw the photo of this salad and thought it looked magnificent. I am, unfortunately, allergic to seafood and it’s a real shame because I would love to eat this kind of thing.
Noshing with the Nolands says
This would be great with chicken too Anita!! Thanks for coming by!!
Susan says
I’m sorry you lost your dad. I’m sure he would have loved this salad and everything you do.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Susan!!
Mushrooms Canada says
This salad looks absolutely delicious! A great way to raise awareness around such a meaningful cause. Thank you for sharing Tara!
-Shannon
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Shannon and for coming over!!
Mushrooms Canada says
This salad looks absolutely delicious! A great way to raise awareness around such a meaningful cause. Thank you for sharing Tara!
-Shannon
Sarah says
This looks amazing! Just the way a tuna salad should be IMHO
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much Sarah!!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Sorry to hear you lost your dad.
This salad looks amazing – so pretty, and full of lots of color!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Erin!!
Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious says
Your salad looks lovely. Your dad would be proud of you and who you have become!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Dorothy that is so kind of you to say and thank you for coming over.
Jenni says
Tara, I’m sorry that you lost your dad. I am fortunate to still have both of my parents, but I have to watch dad (especially) like a hawk. The man is not a Fan of healthy foods.
But I bet he’d eat this salad! It looks so inviting and the ingredient list is full of interesting and flavorful ingredients. When healthy=tasty, life is good!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Yes Jenni, I love when healthy and tasty meet. You can never go wrong with that combination!!
Liz says
I am so sorry you lost your dear father to heart disease, Tara. I love, love ahi tuna, and could eat your salad 7 days a week! Just amazing!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Liz and thanks for coming over!!
Kim Bee says
Tara thank you so much for joining us today. Also thanks for sharing about your dad. I am so sorry you lost him. It’s never easy to lose a parent, no matter at what stage of life we’re at.
I love this dish so much. I just looks so fresh and inviting. And I have to say your suggestions for oils are bang on. I keep grapeseed oil around all the time. It can be hard to find here but I scour the stores when I run out. It adds such a nice flavour to dishes too.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for inviting me to join you Kim, I so appreciate being part of this.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
That’s a wonderful dedication to your dad, Tara. I’m loving everyone’s heart healthy posts – this is for a really important cause. Heart disease runs in my family and it affects almost everyone I love (my sisters, my dad, and now even my 32-year-old husband!) so the issue is near and dear to me. I love ahi tuna – this salad looks so vibrant and refreshing. Healthy definitely doesn’t have to be boring!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for coming over Nancy and I am so sorry you have so many struggles with this terrible disease.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I am so sorry about the loss of your father. Isn’t it amazing at what brings us all together and bonds us?
And thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful recipe and post today.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Jen for organizing this with Kim, great idea!!
Renee says
You made this salad for me right? Ahi tuna on top of all that goodness. And oh, the dressing!! Yummy!
Noshing with the Nolands says
The dressing is the best part!! Thanks Renee!