20 Tuna Tartar Recipes for a Refreshing Culinary Experience

Tuna Tartare showcases the delicate and fresh flavors of raw tuna. It is typically made from high-quality tuna fish by dicing or cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Meticulous preparation and creative seasonings turn it into a culinary masterpiece!

Not long ago, I used beef for making tartare and thought that it was the only feasible option. Ever since I discovered the magic of raw tuna, I didn’t look back. It is undoubtedly the superior option regarding taste, nutritional value, and presentation.

FYI, tuna is totally safe to consume in its raw form as long as it smells fresh and has a nice deep red tinge. There are infinite options for making a unique and flavorful tuna tartare, but I have gathered the top 20 recipes to narrow it down for you.

Now if you’re ready to embark on a gastronomic voyage that celebrates the divinity of fresh raw seafood, let’s dive in:  

1. Tuna Tartare Tacos

Sushi and Mexican food are two things that make me go weak in the knees, and this Tuna Tartare recipe is a fusion of both. Tuna Tartare Tacos look like something you’d see at a fancy cocktail party, but fortunately, you can easily whip them up at home.

My niece and nephew hate fish, but they loved these tuna tacos. The distinct texture and mild flavor of tuna sets it apart from other seafood, so most people like it.

If you’re hosting a house party in the near future, I suggest you serve these delectable tacos as an appetizer – your guests will leave rave reviews for sure. 

2. Nobu Style Spicy Tuna Tartar And Crispy Rice

If you’re a diehard sushi fan, Nobu Style Spicy Tuna Tartare and Crispy Rice might just be your next delicious addiction.

Picture this – your teeth sinking into the lithe raw tuna, harmonizing with the crunch of scallions, sweet and sour notes, the subtle heat of spices, and the gentle warmth of toasted sesame oil; sounds tempting, right?

My favorite part of this tuna tartare recipe is the crispy rice balls, which are like silky soft pillows with a brittle crust. This is such a creative dish with all the contrasting textures and complex flavors blending together. 

3. Tuna Tartare With Avocado

How about a Tuna Tartare recipe straight out of a Michelin Star restaurant? This might not be the cheapest dish to recreate, but it’s definitely worth every penny.

This dish requires sushi-grade Ahi Tuna, a ripe avocado, and preferably extra-virgin olive oil. Tuna Tartare with Avocado is as pretty as a picture and it tastes out of this world.

The recipe is brilliant as it is, but a few adjustments don’t hurt if you like a bit of experimentation. I think that swapping the shallots with green onion and using fresh lime juice instead of lemon makes this lavish little entrée even better. 

4. Tuna Tartare With A Lime, Honey-Soy, And Ginger Marinade

Did you know that tuna is a rich source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids? It is known to be a fatty fish with a higher calorie content than other seafood, though the fat it offers is the good kind with several health benefits.

In this Tuna Tartare recipe, the collaboration of lime, honey-soy, and ginger is truly phenomenal.  This dish can be consumed as an appetizer, a light lunch, or even as a main course with a side dish or two.  

As someone who likes to take risks and explore new combinations of flavors, I found this recipe quite impressive. It’s also keto-friendly, fun to prepare, and involves minimal cooking. 

5. Tuna Tartare With Asian Flavors

When talking of Asian flavors, some of the things that come to mind include soy sauce, red chili, umami, and so on. The flavors of Asia surely are diverse and tantalizing, which is why this Tuna Tartare recipe does not disappoint.

Tuna tartare with Asian flavors is not just tasteful but also visually stunning. The vibrant colors of the diced tuna, garnishes, and toppings create an eye-catching persona that draws in spectators.

You may adjust the level of spiciness and acidity or change up the garnishes and toppings in order to tailor this dish to your likes and needs.

6. Tuna Tartare Bites Recipe

When you’re craving high-quality sushi (not the kind you get at a grocery store), this tuna tartare recipe will certainly help fulfill that longing. This one is a Paleo recipe, so it’s not exactly sushi, but it’s fantastic!

The main difference between this dish and sushi is that it doesn’t have rice, but otherwise, the flavors are pretty spot-on. What you get are the cutest cucumber bites topped with the tuna concoction, and they’re impeccable.

Tuna Tartare Bites are a quick and easy treat you can prepare anytime your wallet does not allow you to dine at a fine sushi place.

7. Tuna Tartare With Yuzu Gelée

Yuzu is a citrus fruit that grows in East Asia (primarily Japan) and has a fair resemblance to tangerines. This fruit somehow tastes like the tartness of a lemon and the sweetness of a mandarin orange combined.

Yuzu also has a subtle floral aroma, which adds a unique and refreshing twist to the tuna tartare. If you’re not familiar with Gelée, it’s basically a gelatin-based ingredient that is frequently used in culinary preparations to create a jellylike texture.

In this Tuna Tartare recipe, the gelée is typically made using yuzu juice, gelatin, and some other ingredients. The result is a picture-perfect delicacy that will blow you away with its extraordinary flavors. 

8. Tartare of Tuna, Avocado, Ginger, And Sesame

One thing’s for sure, Tuna and avocado are a brilliant combo! This is yet another Tuna Tartare recipe that brings these two luscious ingredients together, and the results are delightful.

This is a Western recipe inspired by the Asian style, so obviously, it will be good. To make this dish at home, you’ll need sashimi-grade tuna, one ripe avocado, rice paper sheets, and the usual Asian condiments.

A Tartare of Tuna, Avocado, Ginger, And Sesame is typically served as a starter. Nevertheless, I often consume it as a snack when untimely hunger pangs emerge because it is healthy, filling, and nutritious. 

9. Spicy Tuna Tartare Nachos

You have to admit that Spicy Tuna Tartare Nachos sound really really good, so what’s the point in resisting? Every bite of this dish is an explosion of bold and exciting flavors in your mouth.

The crunch of the crispy nacho chips contrasting against the smooth and succulent tuna tartare is satisfying beyond one’s imagination. The Sriracha mayo adds a pleasant piquancy, and the lime juice bestows the dish with a zesty freshness.

The best thing about this Tuna Tartare recipe is that the nachos are in essence, baked wonton chips, which allows for guilt-free indulgence. 

10. Tuna & Compressed Watermelon Salad

This Tuna Tartare recipe belongs to the late French chef, Michael Richard. Tuna and Compressed Watermelon Salad is a complex dish that requires a lengthy list of ingredients and a few sophisticated techniques, so are you up for the challenge?

If you’ve had the opportunity to try compressed watermelon before, I don’t need to convince you that it is indeed a gastronomic miracle.

You’ll have to prepare multiple elements to bring the dish together, so time and patience are the key. If you successfully recreate this recipe, you may confidently sign up for the next MasterChef competition in your vicinity. 

11. Tuna Tartare With Spicy Mayonnaise, Mizuna, And Soy Wasabi Vinaigrette

It’s evident that a lot is going on in this dish, yet it is surprisingly effortless; it’ll take no more than 15-20 minutes to prepare this Tuna Tartare recipe.

Tuna Tartare with Spicy Mayonnaise, Mizuna, and Soy Wasabi Vinaigrette brings together a range of interesting flavors that complement each other beautifully. The heat of the mayonnaise, the peppery notes of Mizuna greens, and the tang of soy wasabi vinaigrette seamlessly blend with the natural flavor of the tuna.

This dish looks stunning with all the brightly colored elements, and you can be more creative with the way you plate it. You may adjust the condiments to make the dish more or less spicy and tart. 

12. Curried Tuna Tartare Recipe

This Tuna Tartare recipe comes from a professional Cambodian Chef who previously served at the legendary French restaurant Le Cirque. The dish represents a wonderful fusion of French and Cambodian cuisine culinary traditions.

Curried Tuna Tartare carries an array of aromatic curry spices that intrigue the sense of smell and pleasantly surprise the taste buds. It is a versatile dish that can serve as an elegant appetizer or a light lunch; I even use it as a topping on crackers and crostini (best decision ever!)

Trying new and unusual recipes like this one is an adventure that expands your culinary knowledge and refines your kitchen skills like none other. 

13. Spicy Crunchy Tuna Tartare

Do you want a tuna tartare recipe with zero cooking involved? It’s your lucky day because here it is!

This Spicy Crunchy Tuna Tartare is supposed to be served with baked chips or cucumber slices and they make adorable hors devours. If you want to go all out, try stuffing them in avocado halves or come up with something original.

The rice wine added in the marinade performs as a flavor enhancer, but you may use white grape juice if you want to make a non-alcoholic version of the dish.

14. Ahi Tuna Tartare on Sesame Wonton Crisps Recipe

Ahi Tuna, also known as yellowfin tuna, is highly prized for its firm texture and rich flavor, which makes it ideal for sushi and tartare preparations. Remember that high-quality tuna is a must for making tartare because it is consumed raw.

Sesame Wonton Crisps are thin and crispy triangular chips made from wonton wrappers seasoned with oil and sesame seeds, which you may bake or fry. You can also use egg roll wrappers instead of wonton for this Tuna Tartare recipe.

My favorite modification of this recipe is to sandwich the tuna tartare between two triangular chips. They look like miniature sandwiches at a tea party for dolls, which is hilarious (and I love the double crisp). 

15. Tuna Tartare In Crispy Wonton Cups

Here’s another Wonton and Tuna Tartare recipe that’s more classy than the last one. Firstly, a greater number of ingredients go into making the tuna tartare, and secondly, we turn the wonton wrappers into little cups.

Preparing this appetizer takes up to 40 minutes, and you’ll need a muffin pan to give shape to your wonton cups. Making this dish is a fun activity that I thoroughly enjoyed with my family.

The final product resembles bronze flowers filled with a fresh and colorful tuna salad. You can create several variations of this recipe with different fillings too!

16. Spicy Ahi Tuna Avocado Tartare Bites

You may have noticed that all the recipes on this list have certain things in common. Swapping a few ingredients can entirely transform a dish’s appearance and flavor.

This Tuna Tartare recipe features tortilla chips as the base for bite-sized treats, and I’m living for it! I always have a bag or two of tortilla chips lying around, and this quick recipe is a great way to turn them into a fancy treat.

I made these scrumptious tartare bites a couple of times for movie and game nights at my place; then, suddenly, I became the host of the year. 

17. Asian Tuna Tartare Avocado Bowls

Did I mention something about avocado bowls earlier? Probably yes, so let’s make it happen now! This Tuna Tartare recipe is for all the fellow avocado lovers out there.

Avocado is a keto-friendly fruit, and it offers heaps of health benefits. It belongs to the berry family and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good fats.

Avocado contains several essential minerals and vitamins, including Vitamin K, which helps prevent osteoporosis. The fruit is also favorable for fetal health, but I do not recommend this dish to pregnant women because it contains raw tuna. 

18. Tuna Tartare with Potato Chips

If you’re a 90s kid, you’re obviously too cool for school, but this Tuna Tartare recipe shall meet your high standards. Tuna Tartare with Potato Chips was once the hottest item on every 90s bistro menu, and it’s officially back in style.

Pair anything with potato chips, and it’s gold; this recipe just might be proof of that theory. Cucumbers, radishes, and chives add so much freshness to the dish that it can easily pass as a salad.

This dish is highly caloric, so weight watchers can modify it according to their diet plan. One way to reduce the calorie count is by baking the potato chips rather than frying them.

19. Tuna Tartare Eggplant Salad

Tuna Tartare Eggplant Salad intermingles the clean yet formidable flavors of tuna tartare with the earthy and smoky notes of roasted eggplant. This savory salad exhibits a Mediterranean vibe by including seasonings like olive oil, lime juice, and fresh herbs.

I’d never paired tuna with eggplant before this recipe, so I was shocked by how wholesome it turned out. This salad makes a perfect light meal that is fulfilling yet relatively low in calories.

It’s a promising snack to have an hour before you hit the gym or when you’re feeling famished at an odd time of the day. 

20. Spicy Tuna Tartare with Mango-Chili Sauce

If I were to name a dish corresponding to a tropical island, Spicy Tuna Tartare with Mango-Chili Sauce would be it. This Tuna Tartare recipe is the best I’ve ever had, and that is why I saved it for last.

The mango-chili sauce is the star of this dish, and I’ve used it to spice up several other appetizers and snacks at home. Mango brims with nutrients that boost your immune system and promote heart health, so you must enjoy this sweet and fleshy fruit more often.

When plated, the dish can easily dazzle anyone with its vivacious color scheme and finesse. Put it over a bowl of sushi rice to turn it into a fulfilling meal.