Delicious Seared Tuna Bites

Want your guests to wonder if they’re at a fancy soiree or in your kitchen? I’ve been making these seared tuna bites for years, and despite their elegance, they’re surprisingly easy to make. I’ll share six tips to ensure your seared tuna bites come out perfectly every time! Get ready to impress.

One reader, John, says, “ I made this on the weekend to try and impress some guests and it did the trick. Thank you! ★★★★★”

These seared tuna bites might sound a little fancy, but they’re surprisingly easy to make. They’re always a crowd-pleaser, and I love how effortless they feel once you get going.

The buttery, smooth olives in the tapenade add so much flavor without overpowering the tuna. Served on a crisp slice of cucumber, each bite is fresh, balanced, and completely irresistible.

My top tips for seared tuna bites that impress

When you hear ‘ seared tuna bites with olive tapenade’ you’re probably thinking it sounds quite fancy, right? While it sounds like a canape that would be passed around at an art gallery’s soiree, it’s actually super achievable to pull off in your very own kitchen. I have been making this for years, and it never fails to impress guests who can’t believe I made it at home.

If you want to raise some eyebrows and please some tastebuds, let me share the most important things to keep in mind. It’s truly easier than you’d suspect – we are just searing fish and making a tapenade, after all!

Here are my six tips for seared tuna bites that will impress your guests:

Quality : Your seared tuna bites can only be as good as the tuna! Start with buying sushi-grade Pacific Albacore tuna. Selecting the best quality ingredients in your budget will make all the difference.
Perfect searing: This is the only tricky-ish step as it’s easy to overcook, and our instinct is often to overcook meat (Just remember, this is sushi-grade tuna that can be eaten completely raw). Season your tuna with salt and black pepper while you get your non-stick skillet super hot, drizzle some olive oil, then sear for 90 seconds on each side – done!
Cool before slicing: Give the tuna steak a moment to cool slightly before you slice it. This helps you get cleaner cuts.
Smooth tapenade: For a smooth tapenade, mince everything finely – try and keep it fine so everything melds together easily.
Balance : The acidity is important in the tapenade to balance the flavors and the lemon juice adds a bright element. It really makes a difference in this dish, so don’t skip it! If you don’t have sherry vinegar, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar.
Serve it up: I’ve opted to serve it on fresh cucumber slices to keep it light and gluten free, but you can serve it on slices of baguette or a rice cracker if you prefer.

Seared Tuna Bites on an appetizer serving tray - 3

What kind of tuna is best for tuna bites?

You want to purchase sushi-grade Pacific Albacore tuna. I always check whether my seafood was caught sustainably. Longline fishing involves attaching multiple baited hooks to a long line, which is less selective and can catch endangered species and other marine life. For this reason, it’s best to choose tuna caught with pole-and-line fishing. Look for information on the labels, such as certifications from OceanWise or MSC.

Can I make them in advance?

Yes, this is a great make-ahead recipe for parties! You can make them up to 1 day in advance. Arrange them in a single layer on a plate or in a container with a lid, then store them in your fridge until you’re ready to serve.

What else can I serve with seared tuna bites?

If you’re hosting, pair it with other appetizers such as our beet chip and goat cheese appetizer or edamame hummus .

Should I slice the tuna before or after searing?

Slice the tuna after searing it in the pan. Let it cool for a moment before slicing to ensure clean cuts.

Can I use another type of fish?

You sure can! Seared ahi tuna is very popular. The higher fat content gives it a rich flavor and meaty texture, making it easy to make these ahi tuna bites. Mackerel also works well with this recipe.

Seared Tuna Bites Recipe

Ingredients

Tapenade

▢ 10 manzanilla olives (finely chopped)
▢ 1 teaspoon capers (minced)
▢ 1 teaspoon EACH: lemon juice and sherry vinegar
▢ ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme
▢ 2 anchovy fillets (minced)
▢ 3 basil leaves (minced)

Seared Tuna Bites

▢ 6 ounces sushi-grade, Pacific Albacore tuna steak
▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
▢ ¼ teaspoon sea salt
▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil
▢ 12 cucumber slices
▢ Small basil leaves and black pepper (to garnish)

Instructions

To make the tapenade, mix the olives, capers, lemon juice, sherry vinegar, thyme, anchovies, and minced basil in a small bowl. 10 manzanilla olives, 1 teaspoon capers, 1 teaspoon EACH: lemon juice and sherry vinegar, ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme, 2 anchovy fillets, 3 basil leaves
Place a cast iron pan over high heat and let it heat until VERY hot.
While the pan is heating, season both sides of the tuna with pepper and salt. Just before adding the tuna to the pan, pour the oil into the center of the pan and place the tuna on top. Sear for 1 ½ minutes then flip over and sear for 1 ½ minutes more. Remove from the pan, let cool slightly, then slice into 12 pieces. 6 ounces sushi-grade, Pacific Albacore tuna steak, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon olive oil
Place one piece of tuna on top of each cucumber slice, top with some tapenade, a little basil leaf, and some black pepper. 12 cucumber slices, Small basil leaves and black pepper

Notes

Nutrition

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .

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