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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

Thanks to a tangy, flavorful marinade, this tuna turns out delicious and tender every time! It’s a great choice for a family dinner when you want something a little different from the usual beef or chicken, or if you’re looking to eat less red meat.

If you love tuna as much as we do, try my classic Tuna Melt Sandwich for an easy lunch, or make this cozy Tuna Casserole with Noodles for a hearty weeknight dinner!

Two grilled tuna steaks sit on a white marble board, garnished with fresh greens. In the background are halved lemons, a bowl of spinach, salt and pepper shakers, and some garlic cloves.

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

Skill Level: Tuna can be a little tricky to get just right, but this recipe is easy to make, so beginner cooks shouldn’t shy away from giving it a try!
Total Time: This recipe takes about 45 minutes from start to finish.
Variations: Add some fresh ginger, a splash of sesame oil, and a pinch of chili flakes to complement the soy sauce and give the marinade an extra boost of flavor. Serve your tuna steaks with my Teriyaki Rice and a fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad, or since the grill is on, throw on a few Grilled Veggies, too!
Tools For This Recipe: You will need a large glass dish for marinating the tuna, a whisk for mixing the marinade, a grill, a basting brush, and tongs for cooking and turning the fish.

A metal fork holds a slice of seared tuna steak with a pink center. In the blurred background, more tuna slices and fresh greens are on a plate.

What You’ll Need for Ingredients

Tuna Steaks: Use fresh tuna steaks for this recipe, as they hold up well on the grill and soak up the tangy marinade beautifully. Choose steaks of a similar thickness so they cook evenly!

Seasonings: Dried oregano, chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, and black pepper add plenty of savory flavor to the marinade. Karlynn’s Tip: Want a little extra kick? Add some paprika or cayenne pepper, or adjust the garlic and herbs to suit your taste.

Raw tuna steaks on parchment paper beside small bowls of orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, fresh herbs, pepper, lemon juice, chopped green onions, garlic cloves, and halved lemons on a white surface.

Soy Sauce: Soy sauce combines with the orange juice and lemon juice to create a tangy, umami, and slightly sweet marinade that pairs perfectly with tuna!

Olive Oil: Olive oil helps bring the marinade together and coats the tuna steaks so the seasonings cling to the fish. You can also use a little olive oil to lightly grease the grill grates and help prevent sticking. Karlynn’s Tip: For a different flavor, try swapping the olive oil in the marinade for sesame oil – it adds a delicious nutty taste!

How To Make Grilled Tuna Steaks

This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

A white baking dish filled with chopped herbs, green onions, minced garlic, black pepper, oil, and soy sauce on a marble surface. Nearby are raw meat, garlic cloves, lemon wedge, fresh herbs, and a whisk.

A white baking dish filled with a dark marinade mixed with chopped herbs and green onions sits on a marble countertop, surrounded by fresh tuna, garlic, lemon, herbs, and a metal whisk.

In a large glass dish, mix the orange Juice, soy sauce, parsley, onions, oregano, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper.
Add the tuna steaks and turn to coat well.
Cover the glass dish and refrigerate for 30 minutes, turning the tuna steaks again halfway through to ensure an even marinade coating.
Preheat your grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates.
Cook the tuna steaks for about 4 minutes, then carefully turn them over and brush with the marinade.
Cook for another 6 minutes, or until your desired doneness.

Grilled tuna steaks garnished with fresh herbs are arranged on a marble slab. Lemon wedges, garlic, and a bowl of spinach leaves are in the background, creating a fresh and appetizing presentation.

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Grilled Tuna Steaks

Flip the Tuna More Often if It Starts to Burn: If the outside of your tuna steaks browns too quickly before the inside reaches your preferred doneness, try flipping them more often during the final few minutes of cooking. This helps prevent the surface from burning and allows the fish to cook more evenly!
Use the Thumb Test to Check Doneness: Not sure when your tuna steaks are ready? Try the same thumb test you might use for cooking steak! Open one hand and gently press the muscle at the base of your thumb with a finger from your other hand. Your index finger feels soft, similar to rare meat, while your middle, ring, and pinky fingers represent progressively firmer textures (medium-rare, medium, and well done)! Use this as a rough guide to judge how firm your tuna feels as it cooks, but a food thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness.
Try Another Firm Fish: Tuna can be pretty pricey, so don’t feel like you have to splurge if it’s outside your budget! Other firm-fleshed fish can work just as well with this marinade. Salmon is a great alternative because its rich flavor pairs beautifully with the bold soy sauce and citrus, and swordfish is another option if you can find it at a good price.

A plate with slices of seared tuna, pink in the middle, served alongside fresh spinach leaves and a lemon wedge. Garlic and half a lemon are visible in the blurred background.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Let the tuna steaks cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days, following USDA food safety guidelines. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the fish, or enjoy the leftovers cold in a salad.

Freezer: Place your cooled tuna in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating!

More Delicious Fish Recipes

If you’re looking for another great Fish Recipe, you’re in luck! Fish is the perfect way to switch up your usual dinner routine, so try one of my favorites next:

This Maple Glazed Salmon combines sweet maple flavor with savory seasonings for a delicious, sticky meal!
My seaside Fish Stew is a cozy option when you’re craving something warm and hearty.
These Fish Tacos are perfect for a bright, summery meal with your favorite toppings!

That’s all there is to it! If you’ve been nervous about cooking tuna at home, this is a great recipe to add to your collection. Pair it with some fresh sides, fire up the grill, and you’ve got a delicious dinner ready to enjoy!

Give these tuna steaks a try, and don’t forget to let me know how they turned out in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear how you made this recipe your own.

Happy Cooking!

Karlynn