Vibrant Tuna Tartare Recipe: Ina Garten’s Fresh Coastal Gem

The art of seafood appetizers reaches new heights with an Ina Garten tuna tartare that promises to dazzle your palate.

Fresh, vibrant ingredients dance together in this elegant dish.

Tender chunks of premium tuna mingle with zesty seasonings, creating a sophisticated starter that feels both luxurious and approachable.

Each bite delivers a burst of clean, bright flavors that awaken the senses.

Simple yet refined techniques elevate this classic recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

The delicate balance of textures and seasonings makes this tartare a standout choice for intimate gatherings or solo indulgence.

Dive into this culinary experience and let your taste buds embark on a delightful journey of pure, uncompromised flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 90 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 4

All You Need for Ina Garten’s Tuna Tartare

• Tuna: Select sushi-grade fresh tuna for the best flavor and safety, ensuring it's bright red and has a clean ocean scent.

• Olive Oil, Lime Zest, Lime Juice: Creates a bright, zesty foundation that complements the fish's richness.
• Wasabi Powder, Soy Sauce, Hot Red Pepper Sauce: Adds layers of spicy, umami, and tangy notes that elevate the tuna's natural taste.

• Scallions, Jalapeno Pepper: Provides crisp, sharp bite and fresh green complexity to the tartare.
• Avocado: Brings creamy smoothness and subtle richness that balances the seafood's intensity.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional crunchy topping that introduces nutty undertones and textural contrast.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for highlighting and harmonizing all the vibrant flavors in the dish.

Tools Required for Tuna Tartare by Ina

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing tuna and marinade ingredients thoroughly.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precisely dicing tuna, avocado, scallions, and jalapeño.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure wasabi powder, soy sauce, and seasonings.
• Zester or Grater: Needed to create fresh lime zest for bright flavor.
• Mixing Spoon or Spatula: Gently combines ingredients without breaking tuna chunks.
• Serving Platter or Crackers: Used for presenting the final tuna tartare dish.

Instructions to Make Tuna Tartare – Ina Garten Style

• Tuna Selection

Fresh sushi-grade tuna is the heart of this vibrant dish. Choose a deep red, firm piece without any brown edges or fishy smell.

• Flavor Foundation

Create a zesty marinade mixing bright citrus notes with spicy undertones. Combine olive oil, lime elements, wasabi, soy sauce, and a touch of heat for an explosive taste profile.

• Veggie Companions

Chop delicate scallions and fiery jalapeno to add sharp, crisp dimensions. These green elements bring texture and intensity to the tuna’s silky base.

• Creamy Avocado Touch

Slice ripe avocado into perfect tiny cubes. Gently fold these buttery pieces into the tuna mixture, creating a luxurious, smooth contrast.

• Flavor Melding

Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This waiting period allows the ingredients to dance together, intensifying their collective flavor symphony.

• Elegant Presentation

Serve on crisp crackers or delicate toast points. Garnish with optional toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty crunch that elevates the entire experience.

Tips & Variations for Ina Garten’s Tuna Tartare

• Choose sushi-grade tuna from a reputable fishmonger to ensure the highest quality and safety for raw fish consumption.
• Adjust wasabi and hot sauce quantities to match your personal heat tolerance, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Swap tuna with fresh salmon, yellowtail, or even cooked shrimp for a unique twist on the classic tartare recipe.
• Serve in small martini glasses, on crisp cucumber rounds, or inside endive leaves for an elegant and impressive appetizer display.
• Include finely diced red onion, pickled ginger, or toasted macadamia nuts to add extra crunch and depth to the tartare mixture.

Serving Suggestions for Tuna Tartare by Ina

• Serve with Crisp Accompaniments: Spread the tuna tartare on thin, crunchy rice crackers or toasted baguette slices for a delightful textural contrast that enhances the creamy fish mixture.
• Elevate with Garnish Flair: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, microgreens, or a light dusting of toasted sesame seeds on top to add vibrant color and an extra layer of flavor complexity.
• Create Elegant Appetizer Bites: Serve in small martini glasses or individual shot glasses for a sophisticated presentation that's perfect for cocktail parties or elegant gatherings.
• Pair with Chilled White Wine: Complement the zesty, spicy tuna tartare with a crisp sauvignon blanc or a light, refreshing pinot grigio to balance the bold flavors of the dish.

Preserving Tuna Tartare the Ina Garten Way

• Refrigerate and Savor: Store the tuna tartare in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to 24 hours to maintain its fresh taste and texture.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Eat the tartare within one day of preparation to enjoy the optimal flavor and prevent bacterial growth from raw fish.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep avocado and additional garnishes separate until serving to prevent sogginess and maintain the crisp texture of each component.
• Serving Temperature Trick: Remove the tartare from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to soften and become more vibrant, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Elegant Tuna Tartare Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s elegant tuna tartare recipe blends fresh sushi-grade tuna with zesty Asian-inspired seasonings. Home chefs can craft this luxurious appetizer with simple ingredients and minimal preparation, delivering restaurant-quality results that will impress guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 0.75 lb (340 g) very fresh tuna steak, cut into ¼-inch dice
• 1 ripe Hass avocado, cut into ¼-inch dice
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
• 5 limes, zest grated
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp hot red pepper sauce
• 1 tsp wasabi powder
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup (40 g) minced scallions, white and green parts (about 2–3 scallions)
• 1 tbsp minced fresh jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, optional

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Instructions

1. Marination: Blend diced tuna with olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, wasabi powder, soy sauce, hot red pepper sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring uniform coating of the fish.
2. Herb and Spice Integration: Gently fold chopped scallions and minced jalapeno into the marinated tuna, maintaining the delicate fish structure while evenly distributing bold flavors.
3. Avocado Incorporation: Carefully dice avocado into uniform cubes and tenderly fold into the tuna mixture, preserving the soft fruit’s integrity and adding creamy texture to the tartare.
4. Textural Enhancement: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds throughout the mixture, gently integrating for subtle crunch and nutty undertones.
5. Flavor Development and Serving: Refrigerate tartare for one hour to allow flavors to harmonize, then serve chilled on crisp crackers or toast points. Garnish with additional scallions or sesame seeds, presenting an elegant and vibrant appetizer that showcases fresh, zesty marine flavors.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the tartare for at least 1 hour to allow ingredients to blend and intensify taste, creating a more complex and harmonious flavor profile.
• Handle Tuna Gently: Mix ingredients carefully to preserve the delicate fish texture, avoiding aggressive stirring that could break down the tuna’s tender consistency.
• Prep Avocado with Precision: Dice avocado into uniform cubes and fold softly into the mixture to prevent bruising, maintaining its creamy texture and clean appearance.
• Serve Immediately Fresh: Enjoy the tartare right after chilling for maximum flavor impact, using crisp crackers or toast points to complement the rich, zesty tuna mixture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 90 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg