Sesame Grilled Tuna and Cucumber Salad is a light, protein-packed dish that’s all about clean flavors, crisp textures, and fresh ingredients. It’s ideal for lunch on a warm day or a healthy dinner that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
The tuna is the star here. Choose a fresh, sushi-grade tuna steak and coat it with a generous layer of sesame seeds, both white and black if possible, to add a nutty flavor and a subtle crunch. A quick sear on a hot grill or grill pan gives the tuna a smoky edge while keeping the center perfectly rare and buttery. The contrast between the warm, seared exterior and the cool, tender middle makes every bite feel special.
Cucumbers bring a cooling balance to the richness of the tuna. Thinly sliced and lightly salted to draw out excess moisture, they become crisp and slightly sweet. You can add extras like radishes for a peppery note or avocado slices for creaminess.
The dressing ties everything together with a mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. Grated ginger and a splash of lime juice add brightness and just the right amount of tang. Drizzle this over the salad just before serving so the cucumbers stay crisp.
Fresh herbs like cilantro or mint bring a burst of freshness, while a sprinkle of chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds adds flavor and texture. If you want to make it heartier, serve the salad over a bed of chilled soba noodles or jasmine rice.
Sesame Grilled Tuna and Cucumber Salad is elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. It’s healthy, balanced, and full of vibrant, clean flavors that leave you feeling satisfied without being weighed down.
Ingredients
- 2 tuna steaks
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high heat.
- Season tuna steaks with salt and pepper.
- Grill tuna for 3-4 minutes per side, or until desired doneness.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame seeds.
- In a large bowl, combine sliced cucumber and the sesame dressing. Toss to coat.
- Thinly slice grilled tuna and serve over the cucumber salad.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Quick and easy! Perfect for a weeknight dinner. I just used the oven instead of grilling.
I didn’t have sesame oil so I used olive oil. Still turned out okay, but not the same. 🤷
Good on you for using what you had! Olive oil is definitely different, but the salad still sounds tasty!
Seriously? Honey with tuna? That sounds awful. Who came up with this?
Uhh, I didn’t have honey, so I used sugar. Still turned out okay… kind of.
Not sure how sugar works here. Honey is sweeter and thicker, ya know? But if it was okay, that’s cool.
Using sugar instead of honey? That’s different! I guess it could work, but honey adds a nice depth of flavor.
So easy to make! My kids loved it! I added some avocado too. Yum!
Just made this for dinner and it was so good. Perfect summer meal!
That sounds delicious! I’m definitely trying this next weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Summer meal? I dunno, grilled fish in winter sounds good too! Just sayin’.
I don’t eat fish. Can someone try it with chicken instead? Asking for a friend.
The grilled tuna was good but I think I overcooked it a bit. Next time I’ll be more careful! Still tasty tho.
Easy to make but didn’t really tickle my taste buds. The honey was a bit much in my opinion.
Not good. Didn’t have rice vinegar, used apple instead, fish was awful!
Sorry to hear that! Maybe try it again with the right ingredients next time?
This was amazing! I love tuna and the dressing was perfect. Will make again!
Not a big fan of cucumber, but for some reason it worked here. Surprised!
I’m glad you liked it! Cucumber can be hit or miss sometimes, but I find it refreshing. Have you tried it with lime instead of lemon?
I still don’t get how anyone likes cucumber… but hey, if it worked for you, that’s cool.😅
I don’t like fish, but my husband loved it! He says it’s one of the best things I’ve ever made, so good!
Sounds fancy but I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the tuna in a pan? 🤔
Yes, you can definitely cook the tuna in a pan! Just make sure it’s hot enough and sear it for a few minutes on each side. Hope it turns out great! 😊
Tuna is gross. This recipe is just wrong lol. Wouldn’t try it.
Tuna yum!
I tried this, but the tuna came out a bit dry for me. Maybe I grilled it too long.
I think grilling it just a minute less could help! Tuna is tricky, but when it’s right, it’s amazing. 😊
I don’t like tuna much. I used chicken instead and it turned out fine, just saying.
OMG, sooooo tasty! I might make this every week! 😊
Totally agree! This recipe is a game changer! I can’t stop thinking about it! 😋
Delish!!! 🥰
This was super delicious! The tuna was cooked to perfection and the salad was so refreshing. Will make again!
Meh! I thought it would be more exciting. Just grilled fish and cucumbers…
This recipe was amazing! I loved the dressing, it was so flavorful!
I tried this but the tuna ended up too dry. Gonna skip the grilling next time.
I had the same problem! I think the grilling times are off. I usually grill it less to keep it juicy. Maybe try searing it on a pan next time?
Delish! The sesame seeds made it all the better. Will definitely make again!
Tried this but my grilled tuna ended up kind of dry. Not sure if I did something wrong.
What a refreshing salad! I added some avocado slices, and it was delicious. Yum!
I’m confused. Is sesame oil just regular olive oil with sesame seeds put in it? Hmmm.
I don’t think the honey belongs in this recipe. Tuna and honey? Really? It was kinda weird.
Cucumbers r my fav!! This is a great recipe, but where do u find fresh tuna in winter?