Grilled Mediterranean Tuna Steak

Summer Grilling

This grilled Mediterranean tuna steak with tomato and kalamata olive salad is a perfect summer dinner. It feels light and healthy, yet rich and indulgent at the same time. And it celebrates the peak of summer season by lighting up the grill and pairing it with peak tomato and herb season. 

This meal is perfect for a date night in on the patio, for doubling and sharing with friends at dinner party, or a quick indulgent meal during the week. 

The Supplies

Ingredients

To make this mediterranean tuna steak, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Tuna steaks
• Olive oil
• Lemon Juice
• Garlic Cloves
• Salt and pepper
• Cherry or grape Tomatoes
• Kalamata olives
• Shallot
• Fresh Oregano
• Fresh Basil
• Red pepper flakes

For the exact ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Equipment

In order to make this grilled mediterranean tuna steak, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment:

• Shallow bowl or casserole dish
• Grill or grill pan
• Heat-safe spatula
• Cutting board and knife
• Medium-sized cutting board
• Measuring spoons

Frequent Recipe Questions

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

• A: I would not recommend preparing this meal ahead of time. Preparing this dish, refrigerating it, and then reheating it will impact the flavor and texture of this preparation of tuna.

Can I substitute dried herbs in the salad?

• You can! I would substitute ½ teaspoon dried oregano and ½ tablespoon dried basil.

Recipe Tips

When making this grilled Mediterranean tuna steak recipe, here are a few tips to make sure it turns out delicious:

• As this tuna is served with a rare center, be sure to keep the tuna steak very well chilled until you’re ready to begin cooking. This will help ensure safe food practices!
• Speaking of safe food practices, I strongly recommend purchasing your tuna from a fishmonger or reputable store with a quality seafood counter. When ordering your steak, also ask the fish monger for a plastic bag of ice, to keep the fish chilled while you finish shopping and checking out.
• This recipe is best during the peak of summer. Not only is that the best time to enjoy a grilled dinner, but the salad on the side will be even better quality. The fresh herbs and tomatoes will be so fresh!

Recipe Details

Marinate the Tuna Steaks

To get this recipe started, you’ll first marinate the steak. To prepare the marinade, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, kosher salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl or medium-sized casserole dish. Place the tuna steak in the marinade and flip it once or twice so both sides are coated in the olive oil and lemon juice. Set the bowl aside in the refrigerator to marinate for 20 minutes or up to an hour. 

Make the Tomato Olive Salad

While the tuna is marinating, make the tomato and olive salad. To make the salad, add the cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, sliced shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh oregano, and fresh basil into a medium sized bowl. Stir to mix everything together and then season the salad with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to incorporate and taste, adjusting any flavors to your taste.

Grill the Tuna

To grill the tuna, first preheat your grill to medium-high heat and let it preheat for about 10 minutes, until it’s hot.

Carefully place the tuna steak on the grill grates, letting any extra marinade drip off before placing it over the grill. As you’re placing the steaks on the grates, watch out for any flare ups from the grill’s flames. Close the lid to seal in the heat. For a medium-rare cook on the tuna, sear it for about 3-5 minutes on the first side, depending on the thickness of the steak and your preferred doneness. Use a heat-safe spatula to carefully flip the tuna steak and sear on the second side for another 3-4 minutes. Remove the tuna steaks from the grill and place onto a plate or tray.

Plate and Serve

To serve this dish, use a very sharp, serrated knife to slice the tuna steak across the grain. Arrange the tuna slices on a plate and sprinkle with a small pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve the tomato and olive salad on the side and enjoy. Enjoy right away! Pair this dish with a grain, like this Greek Farro Salad, or crusty bread for a fully rounded dinner.

If you make this grilled Mediterranean tuna steak, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating – I can’t wait to hear how it goes. As always, tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook in your photos. It makes me feel like we’re getting to cook together!

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