Name: Pepper Crusted Tuna Steak with Wasabi Cream Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp Black Peppercorns; 1 tsp White Peppercorns (Optional); 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds; 1/2 tsp Salt; 4 Sashimi Grade Tuna Steaks; 1+ Tbsp Wasabi Powder*; 2 Tbsp Water*; 2 tsp Rice Vinegar; 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce; 1 Cup Heavy Cream; 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

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Pepper Crusted Tuna With Wasabi Cream Sauce is a simple, elegant tuna dish, and the most popular recipe here! Easy to make, sure to impress.

Originally posted April 16, 2013. Updated 1/13/2021

Pepper Crusted Tuna with Wasabi Cream Sauce is such a simple recipe, but such an elegant taste and presentation. It's also one of the most popular recipes on this blog!

We first had Pepper Crusted Tuna with Wasabi Cream Sauce at a now-defunct Minneapolis restaurant.

We loved the idea, but the wasabi cream sauce had very little complexity to it, and almost no actual wasabi flavor.

Of course, that just meant that we'd have to play with the idea, ourselves!

This is the resulting recipe, which we love. Truth be told, we use a bit more wasabi than listed here... but this is a good amount for *most* people.

Raw Tuna Food Safety

You will need to use sashimi grade tuna for this, which means it’s been commercially frozen before use.

Fresh fish - no matter how fresh and high quality - is a high risk for parasites, and the commercial - “flash” - freezing kills that all off.

No one wants raw fish related food poisoning, trust me on this. (Related: I’ll never buy sushi from a grocery store again. TWICE I got sick from sushi made in a high end grocery chain in Minneapolis!)

To thaw frozen sashimi grade fish, place it in the fridge overnight, and use it the next day. When using it, it should LOOK fresh - and smell like the ocean. If it has a heavy fishy smell, don't use it.

How to Make Pepper Crusted Tuna

In a spice grinder or with a mortar & pestle, grind peppercorns, sesame seeds, and salt together until it becomes a relatively fine powder. Spread mixture on a plate.

One at a time, press tuna steaks into the spice mixture, coating all surfaces. Use hands to press additional spice mixture into any areas missed.

Set tuna steaks aside, while you make your sauce. You’ll want the tuna to come up to room temp, for best results.

How to Make Wasabi Cream Sauce

In a saucepan (NOT over heat!), whisk together wasabi powder and water until smooth, allow to sit for 5 minutes.*

When 5 minutes have passed, whisk in rice vinegar, soy sauce, and heavy cream.

Turn burner heat on to medium, heat sauce just to a simmer. Allow to simmer gently for 5 minutes, mostly just keeping it warm as you cook the tuna steaks.

*Note: If you don't have wasabi powder, use ~ 1 tablespoon prepared wasabi, omitting the water. Skip right to whisking in the other ingredients.

If you are sensitive to wasabi - or you have a very strong brand of wasabi - you can start with less and adjust up, if needed.

How to Cook Tuna Steaks

Tuna steak is best when cooked just long enough to sear the outside, and warm it through. Rare or - at most - medium rare makes for the best flavour and texture.

So, when cooking your tuna steaks, be sure to not overcook them!

Heat your olive oil in a nonstick fry pan or skillet. For a bit of extra flavour, you can add some sesame oil with / instead of the olive oil, if you'd like.

Gently transfer tuna steaks to the pan, leaving at least 1" space between each.

Cook for a minute and a half on the first side, then flip and cook a minute and a half on the second side.

This will give you a nice rare tuna steak - cook for a little longer if you prefer it to be a little more cooked.

Slice tuna steaks...

... fan them out on the plate, and serve with wasabi cream sauce.

Enjoy!

More Fancy Recipes

Planning for a special dinner, whether Valentine’s Day, a special date, or a fancy dinner party? Here are a few recipes to consider!

Baklava Cheesecake
Balsamic Mushroom Baked Brie
Boozy Crème Brûlée
Chocolate Dessert Ravioli
Clementine Mousse with Champagne
Creamy Vanilla 6" Cheesecake
Easy Kahlua Panna Cotta
Fancy Tea Sandwiches
How to Make Cream Puffs & Croquembouche
Mushroom Brie Turnovers
Mushroom & Goat Cheese Braid with Balsamic Glaze
Phyllo Crab Triangles
Savory Tomato Shortcake
Seafood Mousse
Shrimp & Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Traditional Raspberry Mousse
White Chocolate Almond Amaretto Truffles
Wild Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast with Dijon Chive Cream Sauce

Share the Love!

Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @CelebrationGenerationCA - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!

Also, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, and subscribe to my free monthly email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense.

Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

Pepper crusted tuna with wasabi cream sauce. The tuna steak has been cooked rare, sliced up, and fanned out on the plate before being topped with the sauce.

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