The Best Bluefin Tuna Cooking Methods

steak tuna in sesame, lime and fresh salad

To experience the true decadence of the world-renowned Southern Bluefin Tuna, it is important that you buy high-quality tuna and prepare it correctly.

Because we want you to enjoy the best this tuna variety offers, we’ve compiled a guide on the best bluefin tuna cooking methods.

Dinko Seafoods - high-quality bluefin tuna

Buy high-quality bluefin tuna

Your dish will only be as good as the ingredients you use, so buying high-quality bluefin tuna from a reputable supplier is the most important step.

For more than 50 years, Dinko Seafoods has been providing the highest quality Southern Bluefin Tuna to diners around the world. We harvest our premium bluefin tuna products from the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and use our innovative super-freezing technology to maintain the tuna’s flavour, texture and nutritional value.

Enjoy it fresh

Sought-after for its melt-in-your-mouth texture, rich colour and exquisite marbling, Southern Bluefin Tuna is best enjoyed fresh. Whether you’re preparing sashimi, sushi or tuna tartare, there are still important steps to follow.

If you’re preparing sashimi at home, it’s important to use the freshest piece of tuna you have. Slice your tuna thinly, or cut into small cubes, and season as desired.

Hint: Slice the tuna while it is still slightly frozen to avoid the tuna tearing or falling apart.

When thawing, it is important to follow a few simple steps to ensure you maintain the quality of the fish:

Keep tuna in Dinko Seafoods’ cryovac bags in a refrigerator while defrosting.
Once defrosted, remove from cryovac bags and pat dry.
If you have excess or leftover tuna that has not been consumed, wrap it in Japanese wasabi paper, store it in a sealed container, and place it in the refrigerator.
Consume within five days of defrosting.

Check out this fresh bluefin tuna tartare recipe.

Tuna steak medium rare. With mango, avocado, basmati rice and cashew nuts with spinach and mango sauce.

Pan-seared

Pan-searing bluefin tuna is another favourite cooking method. The tuna should always be rare on the inside—you don’t want to dry it out!

To get the best flavour and texture using this method, sear your tuna piece in a well-seasoned pan (cast-iron or non-stick) on medium-high heat for one minute per side.

If you prefer a firmer texture, try dry-curing it before cooking. To dry cure your tuna, simply rub it with kitchen salt and place it in an airtight container for 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water.

Check out this pan-seared tuna recipe.

Grilled

Grilling is another great method for cooking Southern Bluefin Tuna, whether over charcoal, using a flat grill or chargrill, or barbecuing. Much like the pan-searing method, it’s important not to overcook your fish.

To keep your tuna from sticking to the grill, and to add flavour and moisture, marinate the fish. You can keep it simple and season it with a little salt and pepper, then cook it over olive oil for 2 minutes on either side. You can also try out different marinade flavours if you feel more adventurous.

Check out this grilled tuna recipe.

Bake

Perfecting baked Southern Bluefin tuna is no easy task, as it’s important to get the timing just right…even a minute too long and your fish will dry out!

We recommend marinating your bluefin tuna for at least an hour before baking for maximum flavour and moisture. For perfect results, brush marinated fish with oil, then bake at 230°C for 8-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillet). Your tuna should be seared on top and pink on the inside.

Order your Dinko Seafood today

As pioneers in global tuna farming, we use a self-managed and sustainable approach to all our processes. Passionate about ensuring a sustainable future for the fish we farm, our fishing practices are all about sustainability—we want many generations to come to enjoy them as much as we do.

The result for you is a premium quality product, every time.

To make a wholesale order, contact us today.