This Blackened Tuna Bites recipe is ready in 15 minutes and tastes better than any restaurant version. It's my go-to seafood recipe for those nights when I want big flavor with little effort. Serve as an appetizer for your next happy hour or entrée over mixed greens.
Recipe review
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Why I love blackened tuna bites
The more I cook, the more I realize that I love easy seafood recipes that are packed with unbelievable flavor. And I love to share my recipes for Salmon Baked in Foil and Tuna Ceviche with you.
These blackened tuna bites are one such recipe. It's a favorite fresh tuna recipe. I developed the recipe after a recent text from a friend.
She asked if I wanted some freshly caught tuna. Definitely a YES! After picking up 3 pounds of rosy pink and uber fresh fish, it was time to get to work making delicious dishes.
Following a long day cooking for my personal chef clients, I love nothing more than a quick and delish dinner recipe. This blackened tuna recipe is ready in 15 minutes and tastes amazing.
A homemade blackened spice blend is tossed with bite-sized pieces of super fresh tuna and quickly sauteed in butter. An easy peasy sweet pickle dipping sauce is a cool accompaniment for the bold flavored tuna.
There is just so much knock your socks off flavor in this recipe. I can't wait for you to try it!
Ingredients for blackened tuna
- sour cream
- mayonnaise
- sweet pickle relish
- lemon juice
- fresh tuna
- paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper
Scroll to the recipe below for full quantities of the ingredients.
Substitutions and additions
- Use super fresh tuna. Ahi is my #1 choice. You can also use frozen tuna such as yellowfin.
- A quick homemade blackened seasoning is made with every day pantry ingredients. A store bought one works too.
What does blackened seasoning taste like?
Blackened seasoning is a blend of common spices. You probably have them all in your cabinet right now. It's like Cajun or Creole seasoning, but usually not as spicy.
Paprika, garlic and onion powders, dried thyme, basil, and oregano, kosher salt, and cayenne and regular pepper are mixed together. The result is a blend with a little bit of heat and earthiness from the herbs.
Try it on steaks, burgers, pork chops and tenderloin, salmon, mahi mahi, tuna, shrimp, scallops, chicken, and lamb chops. I also toss it with roasted or grilled veggies. It's so versatile.
I double and even triple the recipe to keep some on hand. It's an easy way to add bold flavor to almost any meat and vegetable.
How to make tuna bites
This blackened tuna recipe comes together super quick! Perfect for an easy appetizer or dinner.
I serve the tuna bites on a big platter with a dish of the sweet pickle dipping sauce and lemon wedges. These are so addictively delish!
Step 1: I start off by combining the sour cream, mayo, sweet pickle relish, fresh parsley and lemon juice for the creamy dipping sauce. Set this aside while prepping and cooking the tuna.
Step 2: Next combine the blackened seasoning blend. This is where I either add some more cayenne pepper to up the spiciness (my husband is loves his food hot hot hot!) or tone it down a bit for myself.
Step 4: The cubed tuna is tossed with the spices and then sauteed just for a couple minutes. I use salted butter as it adds a richness to the tuna along with a nice crust. The medium rare tuna pieces get a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and brightness.
Suggestions and tips
- Cut the tuna in the same size pieces ~ about 1 inch cubes ~ so it cooks evenly.
- Tuna is dry and chewy when overcooked. Be sure to sauté it briefly in a hot pan for the best tasting tuna. You want it seared on the outside and still pink on the inside.
- I like to control the spiciness of the blackened seasoning and mix up a batch with the everyday spices. If you have a favorite packaged brand, by all means use a store bought blackened seasoning instead.
What to pair with blackened tuna?
Blackened tuna bites have bold flavor and can be served as an appetizer or main course.
When having blackened tuna bites as a snack or appetizer, I like to use a variety of dipping sauces. My favorites include ~
When I looking to make a meal with the tuna bites, I love these side dishes.
- Toss with my Parmesan buttered noodles with garlic.
- Serve these fresh tuna fish bites with my easy pork pot stickers.
- Top a salad of chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, slices of cucumber, and slivers of red onion with the seasoned tuna.
- Add a side of steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans and some fluffy rice.
- Serve over my cauliflower rice pilaf.
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Blackened Tuna Bites with Sweet Pickle Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- for the sweet pickle dipping sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- for the tuna bites
- 1 ½ pounds fresh tuna cut in 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Make the dipping sauce. In a small bowl combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, parsley and lemon juice. Set aside.
- Prepare the tuna bites. In a medium sized bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and pepper. Add the tuna and toss to thoroughly coat each piece with the spice blend.
- Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. When the butter begins to foam, add the tuna in a single layer. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. The lesser cooking time is for tuna that will be slightly rare on the inside and the longer cooking time is for more well done tuna.
- Remove the tuna from the pan to a platter. Serve with the dipping sauce and lemon wedges.
Video
Notes
- Use super fresh tuna. Ahi is my #1 choice. You can also use frozen tuna such as yellowfin.
- Cut the tuna in the same size pieces ~ about 1 inch cubes ~ so it cooks evenly.
- Tuna is dry and chewy when overcooked. Be sure to sauté it briefly in a hot pan for the best tasting tuna. You want it seared on the outside and still pink on the inside.
- I like to control the spiciness of the blackened seasoning and mix up a batch with the everyday spices. If you have a favorite packaged brand, by all means use it instead.
Nutrition
Patti says
Very good; I followed the recipe until it came time to cook the tuna bites. I used my air fryer - spread the pieces out and sprayed a bit of avocado oil them. Cooked for 3 minutes in my pre heated fryer @ 390, flipped them and air fried for an additional 3 minutes. Came out great! Served them with mushroom spinach quinoa and a glass of wine.
Amy Casey says
That's great Patti! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. And thanks so much for sharing the air fryer directions. I'm sure others will use this cooking method.
Letitia Kohler says
This recipe is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! I had to omit the cayenne because it doesn't like me anymore, but it didn't matter! I cooked it in my wok. Mmmmm, tender and juicy! Thank you!
Amy Casey says
Yea! I'm so glad you enjoyed my tuna bites recipe Letitia! Don't you just love quick recipes like this one that are big on flavor?!
Janine says
Loved it…turned out perfect…blackened on the outside with a little crunch and tender, pink, and juicy on the inside! Thanks for a great recipe!
Amy Casey says
You're so welcome Janine! I'm so glad you enjoyed my recipe. I love that it's so quick and easy to make.
Kim says
A great spice blend for fresh tuna bites! Thank you.
Amy Casey says
You're so welcome Kim! I'm making this recipe this weekend for Memorial Day 🙂
Kendra says
Very good and easy to make. Would recommend! I served it with a packet of Spanish rice.
Amy Casey says
I'm so glad you enjoyed my recipe Kendra. i love the idea of serving it with Spanish rice. Thanks for sharing!
Anna says
It was delicious! The sauce is tangy, sweet and refreshing, and goes so well with the tuna! Lovely recipe, and super easy to make!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Anna! This on is a favorite.
Hayley Dhanecha says
This recipe is so good! I loved all the spices and herbs you have used in this recipe. Perfect 15 minute recipe!!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Hayley! Aren't 15 minute recipes the best?
Healing Tomato says
Such a wonderful idea for dinner. Looks healthy and easy to make. I love all the aromatic spices you used in it.
Amy Casey says
Thanks Healing Tomato!
Colleen says
This blackened tuna had just the right amount of spice, and the dipping sauce is so good. Don't skip it!
Amy Casey says
My thoughts exactly Colleen 🙂
Cathleen says
I can't stop making this!! It is so good, and my husband has been asking for more every time! Thank you so much for this recipe 😉
Amy Casey says
I'm so glad you and your husband enjoy the recipe.
Leslie says
This is such a great idea for an appetizer. Especially with the sweet pickle dipping sauce. This will be a fun recipe for my next get together!
Amy Casey says
I love this as an appetizer and an entrée. I hope you enjoy the recipe Leslie.
Jamie says
Awesome! These tuna bites look so yummy! Plus the dips that come with it make this dish so enticing and tempting! I totally loved it!
Amy Casey says
That's awesome Jamie. I love them for an easy happy hour snack.
Amanda Mason says
So good! Loved these tuna bites! The spice flavor was perfectly distributed and the dipping sauce was so good! I made these for a high protein snack for me this week and it was perfect! So filling and delicious!
Amy Casey says
Great idea Amanda!
Kate says
This recipe is awesome, I love that you can make an entire main course, with a dipping sauce, in only 15 minutes. I get into a rut with my weeknight dinner routines so these types of recipes are exactly what I need!
Amy Casey says
Aren't quick dinner the best?! Thanks for your comment Kate.