How to Prepare Bluefin Tuna

As one of the world’s most sought-after delicacies, Southern Bluefin Tuna is prized for its creamy mouthfeel, rich burgundy colour and exquisitely marbled texture.

But in order to experience the true decadence of this coveted fish, it is important that you buy, store and cook it properly. Because we want you to enjoy the best this tuna variety has to offer, we’ve put together a guide on how to prepare bluefin tuna correctly.

Buying and storing fresh Southern Bluefin Tuna

When buying fresh Southern Bluefin Tuna, the most important criterion is freshness.

Dinko Seafood’s innovative super-freezing technology ensures our Southern Bluefin Tuna maintains its flavour, texture and nutritional value until you’re ready to enjoy it!

Using this super-freezing method, tuna can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

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.
For any excess or leftover tuna not consumed, wrap in Japanese wasabi paper, store in a sealed container and place in the refrigerator.
Consume within five days of defrosting.

Ways to prepare Southern Bluefin Tuna

A big attraction of bluefin tuna is its versatility. Here, we include some of the most common methods of preparation and tips to get the best flavour from your dishes.

Fresh

Arguably the best way to enjoy Southern Bluefin Tuna is to eat it fresh, so you can experience the melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavour.

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.

Check out this fresh bluefin tuna recipe.

Stone slate tray with sliced tuna steak fried in sesame seeds

Pan-seared

Pan-searing is another classic method of tuna preparation. The best pan-seared tuna is raw on the inside, so it’s important not to leave it too long!

To get the best results from this method, you want to 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. Simply rub the tuna 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.

Grill

Whether you’re cooking over charcoal, using a flat grill or chargrill, or barbecuing, grilling is a great method for cooking Southern Bluefin Tuna. Similar to pan-searing, 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. We recommend you simply season it with a little salt and pepper, then cook it over olive oil for 2 minutes on either side.

Check out this grilled tuna recipe.

Bake

Another simple method for preparing your tuna is baking. To get the most flavour out of your dish, we recommend marinating your tuna for at least an hour prior to cooking.

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.

Confit

Confit is any type of food that is cooked slowly over a long period as a method of preservation. This method is perfect for tuna that needs to be cooked, as it will last in the fridge for up to 6 months.

For Southern Bluefin Tuna, we recommend marinating your fish overnight in olive oil (about 1 cup of olive oil per 500g tuna) with some lemon rind. When ready, transfer your tuna (with the oil) to a large saucepan. Over medium-low heat, cook the tuna until the colour changes, but it is still a little pink in the centre, typically about 5 minutes. Transfer the tuna only to a plate. Slice the tuna and place in sealable jars, adding olive oil to cover. Seal jars tightly and store in the fridge.

Order your fresh Dinko Seafood today

As pioneers in global tuna farming practice, 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.

How to prepare Bluefin Tuna