How to Smoke Tuna Steak
Tuna is a great alternative to smoking red meat as it is packed with proteins and vitamins and also low in fat. Tuna steak typically comes from Ahi tuna, which is the most high quality tuna you can purchase. Canned tuna usually comes from Albacore, which is a lesser quality tuna with a fishier smell. This recipe is made with Ahi tuna steaks, but you can also substitute yellow fin tuna steaks if you are unable to find Ahi due to seasonality. Lemon is one of the most popular flavors paired with tuna and helps to bring out the natural flavors of all fish. This lemon smoked tuna recipe is sure to please a variety of pallets who enjoy a nice tuna steak.
Tuna is a great alternative to smoking red meat as it is packed with proteins and vitamins and also low in fat. Tuna steak typically comes from Ahi tuna, which is the most high quality tuna you can purchase. Canned tuna usually comes from Albacore, which is a lesser quality tuna with a fishier smell. This recipe is made with Ahi tuna steaks, but you can also substitute yellow fin tuna steaks if you are unable to find Ahi due to seasonality. Lemon is one of the most popular flavors paired with tuna and helps to bring out the natural flavors of all fish. This lemon smoked tuna recipe is sure to please a variety of pallets who enjoy a nice tuna steak.
Lemon Smoked Tuna Recipe Ingredients
- 4 Ahi tuna steaks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 bag of charcoal (if you have a charcoal smoker)
- 1 bottle of lighter fluid or a charcoal chimney starter
- 1 or 2 bags of wood chips of your choice
Lemon Smoked Tuna Recipe Directions
- About and hour before you want to start cooking, combine your olive oil, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, pepper, and minced garlic together and rub it directly on both sides of the Ahi tuna steaks. Place a slice of lemon directly on each of your tuna steak fillets. Make sure your lemon tuna steaks are either sitting on ice or left in the refrigerator to keep them chilled during this time.
- Light your charcoal smoker approximately 30 minutes, or 10 minutes before with a gas grill, before you want to start cooking.
- Wrap your wood chips in an aluminum foil pouch or a metal smoker box. Punch holes in the foil pouch to let the smoke escape out the top.
- Next simply put your Ahi tuna steak fillets on the grates of your smoker.
- Check the lemon smoked tuna about a half hour into the smoking time and flip your tuna steaks. Be careful that the tuna doesn't flake apart and fall through the grates by using a large spatula that can slide completely under the tuna steaks. Smoke the tuna for another half hour and your tuna should be ready to take off the smoker and serve. Garnish the lemon smoked tuna with a freshly sliced lemon.
Lemon Smoked Tuna Cooking Time
The cooking time for this lemon smoked tuna is about 1 hour. Some people like to eat Ahi tuna steaks rare or with sushi, so you really can't go wrong when it comes to the cooking time on this recipe. You just want to leave the tuna steaks on the smoker long enough to absorb the smoky flavor of your wood chips.
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The cooking time for this lemon smoked tuna is about 1 hour. Some people like to eat Ahi tuna steaks rare or with sushi, so you really can't go wrong when it comes to the cooking time on this recipe. You just want to leave the tuna steaks on the smoker long enough to absorb the smoky flavor of your wood chips.
Back to smoked tuna recipes >
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