When we saw the beautiful thick sushi-grade tuna steaks on sale, we knew those steaks were meant for a special recipe such as Tuna Steaks Alla Genovese. The Genovese technique uses a single skillet to quickly brown the fish steaks, then it makes a rich wild mushroom wine sauce, and in end puts the two together, perfectly marrying the flavors. I think your family is going to love this recipe as much as we do.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
Fresh and Flavorful - The tuna steaks are seasoned with a variety of spices and ingredients. The results are tender, flaky tuna that has an amazing flavor to it.
Luxurious - The tuna steak is cooked slowly in the olive oil producing a crispy bottom and top along with a juicy interior. It makes for a very satisfying meal.
Easy To Prepare - This is a very easy recipe to prepare. There are only ten ingredients involved in the process and they are quick, simple steps.
Perfect For Special Occasions - The Tuna Steaks Alla Genovese are perfect for special occasions, but also great for simple weeknights when you just want something delicious.
A personal touch to the recipe.
🛒 Ingredients
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Note: The full list of this Tuna Steak alla Genovese recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.
- kosher salt
- tuna steaks about 6 ounces each, cut 1 inch or thicker
- all-purpose flour spread
- extra-virgin olive oil
- dried porcini mushrooms soaked in 1 cup warm water
- garlic cloves
- anchovy fillets
- dry white wine
- fresh lemon juice
- thyme
- butter
- fresh Italian parsley chopped
🗒 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Sprinkle about ½ teaspoon salt over the tuna steaks.
Step 2: Dredge each steak in the flour, coating both sides. Shake off the flour.
Step 3: Pour 4 Tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, lay all the tuna in the pan, and sauté on the first side for about 1 minute, just until browned. Flip the steaks over, and brown the second side another minute or so.
Step 4: Take the rehydrated porcini pieces from the soaking water and reserve the water. Pour the porcini water through a coffee filter or fine sieve to remove any sediment. Finely chop the porcini.
Step 5: Take the pan off the heat. transfer the tuna to a platter and keep warm while you make the sauce.
Step 6: Pour 2 Tablespoons olive oil into the skillet, set it over medium-high heat, toss in the garlic cloves, then stir in the anchovy and the porcini. The anchovy will melt into the oil. Cook and stir until everything is sizzling nicely.
Step 7: Then pour in the white wine, lemon juice, and porcini water.
Step 8: Add the thyme sprigs and season with the remaining salt. Bring the sauce to a boil. Cook until reduced by half.
Step 9: When the sauce has thickened, arrange the tuna steaks in the skillet again, and pour in any juices from the platter. Heat for a minute in the bubbling sauce, then turn the steaks over and cook briefly on the second side The tuna should still be rare at this point.
Step 10: Just before serving, drop the 2 Tablespoons butter into the pan in-between the tuna steaks and stir it into the sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the parsley. Serve the steaks over pasta spooning sauce over them.
🔪 Equipment
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- measuring cups and spoons
- large skillet
- large bowl
- coffee filter or fine sieve
- knife and cutting board
- wooden spoon
🤔 FAQs
Yes! Tuna steaks will provide you with a great source of protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Yellowfin tuna can be used in a variety of different dishes, but it is especially good on the grill or in quick sear recipes like this one.
Yes! Cooking your tuna rare will ensure that the tuna steak is not overcooked and that it stays tender and delicious.
There is a slight difference in taste between yellowfin and albacore tuna steaks, but it isn't that noticeable.
Tuna steaks come from tuna fish and it is directly behind the ribs and it is typically covered in thin layers of fat and flesh.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
The Quality of the Ingredients Matter - Make sure you buy sustainably harvested tuna from a reputable seller. This way, your recipe tastes delicious and it is ethically caught.
Watch the tuna steaks closely - This is not a recipe that you can leave on its own. You need to watch the steaks closely. Make sure you don't overcook them because they will dry out.
Use High Heat When Cooking - It is important to use high heat when cooking the tuna steaks. The high temp will help create a crispy bottom along with sealing in the juices of the fish.
📚 Variations
- Capers - add a little extra punch to the tuna steaks by adding a bit of capers to them while they are cooking.
- Chicken - Not a fan of seafood? You can use thin-sliced chicken breasts instead. Just make sure to cook the chicken all the way through.
- Oil - You can use a variety of different oils like canola or avocado oil in this recipe.
🥫 Storage
You can store leftover Tuna Steaks Alla Genovese for up to three days. Just be sure to keep your leftovers tightly sealed and in an airtight container so that it stays fresh.
📗 Related Recipes
- Lemon Shrimp Pasta with Parmesan, Capers, and Basil -- so delicious and saucy. Full of wonderful flavor.
- Grilled Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon -- a quick seafood dish that always pleases. The garlic and lemon is simply the finishing touch.
- Grilled Lime Marinated Mahi Mahi -- the lime brings out the mild delicate flavor of the steaks. A real winning marinade for seafood.
- Sea Trout Piccata -- instead of chicken piccata try it out with sea trout. Its a mild fish that everyone loves.
🍽 Serve with
- Swiss Chard Gratin is creamy and cheesy and makes for an excellent side dish.
- 3 Hour Quick Dinner Rolls are light and fluffy and a tasty savory to serve with your meal.
- Italian Chocolate Toto Cookies made with chocolate and the perfect way to finish off a rich meal.
- Tomato Cucumber Salad is a light and a fresh side salad that can help lighten up your meal.
📞Chiacchierata (small chat)
Normally we like to grill tuna steaks or make them like our Fresh Tuna with Caramelized Onions. When we grill, my Honey watches the tuna steaks like a hawk so that they don't go beyond medium rare.
If I cook the steaks in a pan, it's a matter of tossing them in the skillet for a minute or so then flipping them over for another minute.
If you've ever tried to eat tuna steaks medium or well done, you know you have to have a large glass of liquid nearby just so you can swallow. I've made that mistake! To make it palatable, you either drown the tuna with tons of sauce or make tuna salad out of it.
You don't have to worry about a dried seared tuna steak with this recipe!
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📝 Recipe Card
Tuna Steaks Alla Genovese are simple to make and impress everyone who eats them. They have an amazing flavor to them and they are a great way to dress up your everyday tuna steak recipe.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
📖 Recipe
Yellowfin Tuna Steaks Alla Genovese
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 tuna steaks about 6 ounces each, cut 1 inch or thicker
- ½ cup all-purpose flour spread on wax paper for dredging
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more as needed
- ¾ cup dried porcini mushrooms soaked in 1 cup warm water
- 6 large garlic cloves
- 2 anchovy fillets drained and chopped
- 1 ½ cups dry white wine
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped
Instructions
- Sprinkle about ½ teaspoon salt over the tuna steaks. Dredge each steak in the flour, coating both sides. Shake off the flour.
- Pour 4 Tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, lay all the tuna in the pan, and sauté on the first side for about 1 minute, just until browned. Flip the steaks over, and brown the second side another minute or so. Take the pan off the heat. transfer the tuna to a platter and keep warm while you make the sauce.
- Take the rehydrated porcini pieces from the soaking water and reserve the water. Pour the porcini water through a coffee filter or fine sieve to remove any sediment. Finely chop the porcini.
- Pour 2 Tablespoons olive oil into the skillet, set it over medium-high heat, toss in the garlic cloves, then stir in the anchovy and the porcini. The anchovy will melt into the oil. Cook and stir until everything is sizzling nicely, then pour in the white wine, lemon juice, and porcini water. Add the thyme sprigs and season with the remaining salt. Bring the sauce to a boil. Cook until reduced by half.
- When the sauce has thickened, arrange the tuna steaks in the skillet again, and pour in any juices from the platter. Heat for a minute in the bubbling sauce, then turn the steaks over and cook briefly on the second side The tuna should still be rare at this point.
- Just before serving, drop the 2 Tablespoons butter into the pan in-between the tuna steaks, and stir it into the sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the parsley.
- Serve the steaks over pasta spooning sauce over them.
Notes
Nutrition
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We'll never share your email or send you spam. PromiseFirst published April 6, 2017. Last updated November 2, 2021. Updated with more information and new photos and instructions for a better reader experience.
Nicolas Hortense
That tuna looks delicious!! I definitely don't cook it often enough, let alone cook it like this.
Kitty
I never know what to do with fish steaks. We didn't eat much seafood growing up. But this Italian dish looks approachable. Thanks for the inspiration Marisa!
EA The Spicy RD
I love how easy this recipe is, and I bet the flavors are delicious! Confession: I love seared tuna, but I've never cooked it at home before. I can't wait to make this!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
I've really got into meal prepping for a friend the past few weeks and I'm looking to shake things up a bit. I'm used to just using a spice or two to add flavor to tuna but I love all the added flavor with this fresh meal! Even better that I can make this for the hubs and I and pack the rest for our friend!
Kelsey
This looks so good! I love the way you put the tuna steak on pasta! Genius!
Sharon
These tuna steaks look like the perfect date night meal to me. The delicious sauce that it makes and adding the pasta makes this a filling meal too.
Arlene Mobley
Looks so easy and delicious!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I have never heard of a Lucky Market before, but I looked it up and the nearest one is on the other side of the province 🙁
This looks like such a great dinner idea!!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Cathleen! It is delicious!
Chef Markus
Simple recipes that focus on flavour like this one, are just the best! I was always apprehensive of cooking tuna at home before I started cooking professionally, but dishes such as this one make it a very approachable fish for the average home cook to work with, not to mention delicious!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Markus! I appreciate the kind words. We really love tuna and learned long ago not to overcook!
Daniela
I'm always looking for different ways to cook tuna steaks, and this recipe looks like a winner. The sauce, in particular, has me drooling! Yum!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Daniela! Thank you it's so good! The sauce doesn't overwhelm the tuna. It's perfect.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
It looks like you nailed that lemon white wine mushroom sauce! I love eating this dish with a tuna steak to change things up. Tuna steaks are so satisfying; I don't eat them enough. I'm happy to have a new idea as to how to cook them now!
Julie
Tuna steaks always make me so nervous to cook because like you mentioned, it's so easy to overcook and they are so tough to eat at that point. But I love a good practically rare tuna steak!
Aditi Bahl
Marissa, ive always loved your recipes, and this one is no less. You make the dish look like served in a good restaurant, but prepared at home.Thanks for sharing.
Denise
I was anxious to see what you put in the sauce. I love fresh tuna but its hard to come by and we usually pan fry them like steaks. This would be a much tastier way to eat it!
Veena Azmanov
Oh, Marisa, this would be an absolute feast for me. I love the flavors you have in this recipe. I'm a huge fan of tuna and it's been a while since we ate fresh tuna. Saving this for later.
Jolina
Oh we will definitely eat every last drop of that delicious sauce! We don't get a lot of fresh tuna here so it's great that we can try this recipe with other kinds of fish.
Dawn
I don't eat tuna a lot, but when I do it's a real treat! I've never prepared it this way, usually lightly seared with some soy sauce mixture. This looks like a delicious way to mix things up. Perfect for entertaining or date night too 🙂
Veena Azmanov
I love Tuna but we don't get fresh tuna here - I have to only use frozen or canned tuna. But that sauce - I am definitely making that sauce. Not sure what I want to serve it with but I love the flavors there.
Denise
Oh that sauce sounds out of this world! The porchini mushrooms, anchovies and garlic....I can see why you would want a nice loaf of bread to soak up all that goodness!
Marisa Franca
It really is good, Denise! We enjoy our fresh tuna and have it quite often so we like to find different recipes.
Michelle
This is one of those meals that doesn't look like you made it at home but is still totally doable. I love all the different flavors coming through!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Well I do have a hard time getting great "fresh" tuna steaks. Unless I head into the fish market...and the closet one is like 40 minutes away....I often use frozen. That being said....they would for sure work in this tasty recipe. I just might have to swap out the anchovies for black olives. Perfect with a glass of white wine.
Marisa Franca
Gloria, honestly you can't taste the anchovies. It just adds another dimension but by all means, add the olives. I highly recommend cooking with the small anchovies. They just melt away.
Rosemary
Well this is certainly the recipe for us, we love our fish and it looks and sounds amazing. I can't wait to try it.
Jessica
I don't make nearly enough tuna at my house. Thanks for the inspiration!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Jessica! It really is an easy meal to make and enjoy!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
This looks amazing! It looks like something you would get at a restaurant. I have to try this! Pinning.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Thao! It was very tasty and quick to make. Have a great day!!
Molly Kumar
Look at that Tuna Steak - Oh my gosh!! It looks fabulous and that sauce is just perfect in everyday. You created such a delicious meal with such ease 🙂 I'm saving this recipe and hope to try it soon as we love Tuna.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Molly! Thank you! It is a great and EASY recipe. So tasty! If your family likes tuna they'll love this.
Natalie
I've never heard of Genovese technique but now you got me interested. This tuna steak looks absolutely amazing. I love the sauce. Sounds heavenly delicious. I could eat it with the spoon.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Natalie! It is soooo good. You will want to clean up the sauce. 🙂
Velva
This is a beautiful and flavorful dish. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
Velva-Tomatoes on the Vine
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Velva. I'm always glad to share good recipes.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
What a lucky find getting these on sale! And what a great way to serve these delicious steaks. I love everything about this recipe - thanks for sharing!
Marisa Franca
You're welcome, Tricia! When we find a good recipe we are always anxious to share. Have a great day.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
That is one amazing hearty recipe and simple love the flavor of the sauce. Being vegetarian, I can totally try to grill some firm tofu and use the sauce as the base.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Sandhya! I suggested the firm tofu to another reader. I haven't tried it but the sauce is so amazing I believe it would taste great! 🙂
soniya Saluja
This looks amazing !! I am not a big fan of tuna but i really wanna try this recipe of yours 🙂 Saving it ..will definitely give it a try soon . Thanks for sharing !
Marisa Franca
You're welcome, Soniya! The tuna has a really mild taste -- and the sauce gives it extra flavor.
Ashley - Forking Up
Yum! I love love love tuna steaks but have never made them myself. This recipe looks so very tasty! I think perhaps even my fish-hating fiance would enjoy it.
Marisa Franca
Hello, Ashley! We love tuna -- a lot! And it is so easy and fast to prepare. This recipe really gives the tuna a special touch.
swathi
That sauce looks delicious makes that tuna steaks flavorful. I always find had to cook steaks of fishes, especially salmon, cod they don't like to incorporate any spices for that reason this sauce will be good.
Marisa Franca
Hello, Swathi! With salmon and tuna, it's best to almost make them separately because the fish cooks so fast and it's easy to overcook. I hope you try the recipe.
Megan Marlowe
I've never made tuna steaks before but I must say I am salivating at this dish. I love tuna, so I'm not sure why I haven't made them before, but you are definitely making me wish I had a Lucky's and scored some deliciously cheap tuna!
Marisa Franca
Hello, Megan! We are lucky to have Luckys -- we are always on the lookout for good fish sales. We feel like we really score when we get wild caught salmon. 🙂
Lori Vachon
I haven't prepared tuna steaks in a very long time, I definitely need to give your recipe a try. Looks amazing!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Lori! You just have to take care not to overcook. The sauce is amazing!
Sara @ Modern Little Victories
I have never seen tuna prepared like this before. I would have never thought of serving it in this fashion with the pasta and that lovely sauce! I'd be willing to bet it would be a delicious surprise for most people too!
Marisa Franca
I agree with you, Sara! Until we found Lidia's recipe we would have made our tuna as we usually do. Once we tried this we were hooked. It's delicious.
ManilaSpoon
I am always on the lookout for new seafood recipes to try as I think we need to add more seafood to our diet. I can imagine how tasty this is with the flavors of white wine, lemon juice and even some anchovies added! YUM!!
Marisa Franca
I agree with eating seafood. I feel almost guilty about putting so many fish dishes on the blog. But!! That's how we eat.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
I love a good pasta dinner. I have never used tuna in this way. Sounds totally delicious, and I can really see how this would work with pasta. Dried mushrooms are so good. They add so much depth in flavour. I love soaking them in wine.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Gloria! We love dried mushrooms, they give such an intense flavor to dishes!!
Byron Thomas
That's a great price for tuna steaks! Where's this Lucky's you speak so fondly of? LOL. I love the dried mushrooms in this dish too; I bet there was such a robust, woodsy flavour. Looks delicious, Marisa!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Byron! Lucky's is based in Colorado and they are expanding. Who knows, they may decide to go into your neck of the woods. If they do, try their pastrami -- it's to die for!!They make it in-house.
Veena Azmanov
Oh this looks like a great Tuna recipe. I love the images and the recipes sounds so good. Can't wait to try.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Veena! Tuna is such a good seafood.
Adriana Lopez Martn
You got me at tuna steaks. I love fresh tuna and makes a great meal but then paired with pasta this is a winner on my list =)
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Adriana! Pasta makes everything more special.:-)
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Mmmm...porcini mushrooms! We used to have stores where I live called Lucky, but they turned into something else. I wonder if they're related.
Uma
I love that you fresh Italian pasrsely. I love the flavor of that. Your pic is good too.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Uma! Fresh herbs do add a special touch to a dish. 😉
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
This dish looks so elegant and perfect for entertaining or an easy dinner. I wish we had a Lucky's Market near us cause it sounds like a place I'd love to visit 🙂
Marisa Franca
Hi, Stephanie! Lucky's is expanding. They may be coming near you. They aren't a Trader Joe, more like Fresh Thyme or Fresh Market.
traditionallymodernfood
your pic talks about the dish.. looks delish. Being a vegetarian I cant imagine the taste but i bet it tastes yum
Marisa Franca
Yes, it was good! Do you eat tofu? I wonder if you could try for a similar flavor with it? Have a great weekend.
Jovina Coughlin
What a great dinner. Love your recipe. I have a tuna steak in the freezer and your recipe is a good one for my tuna.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Jovina! Let me know how you like it -- we thought it was great!
shernell
Oh my, I'm vegan but I remember the taste of fish and pasta very well. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Nagi@RecipeTinEats
oh my gosh. I watched Lidia make this once and have been meaning to try it for ages! I presume I can make this with other white fillets? Tuna steaks are ridiculously expensive!
Marisa Franca
I don't see why you couldn't make it with other fish. As I mentioned in the post we were so lucky to get a good deal on tuna. In fact we're having it tonight 😀
Rina I Thee Cook
These look really good! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
Marisa Franca
Thank you! It was my pleasure joining.
Amanda
Wow, my mouth is watering just looking at this. What a show stopping meal!
Marisa Franca
Thank you -- that sauce is delicious.
Frank
The sauce really does sound lovely. And I couldn't agree more that overcooked tuna is simply inedible!
Marisa Franca
I think canned tuna is preferable to overcooked fresh tuna -- 🙂
Simply Suzannes at Home
WOW! Photo number 4 made my mouth water!
I told my husband about the recipe . . . and he wants me to try it!
I noticed that this dish was inspired by Lydia! I enjoy watching her cooking show with my mom!
She's had her cooking show for decades. She's the real deal! 110% Italian! I could totally see you enjoying her authentic recipes :0)
Congratulations on being nominated for a Liebster Award!
Thanks for sharing your recipe! My husband thanks you, too ;0)
Big hugs! Suzanne
shernell
I'm vegan but this recipe had my mouth watering. I love it. Thanks for sharing. Maybe I can make the sauce !
Jovina Coughlin
What a delicious way to prepare tuna. I like to try new ways to cook fish and meat to keep life interesting. this sauce sounds perfect for seafood. Definitely on my todo list the next time I purchase tuna. Looks delicious.
MyCookingSecrets.com | Krystallia Giamouridou
Hi Marisa! This is Krystallia (from food bloggers central) & I nominated you for the LIEBSTER AWARD! I strongly believe that your blog is amazing with interesting recipes and I really like it. To find out more information and how to get started with this award... read the following post on my blog http://www.mycookingsecrets.com/the-liebster-award/ Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Chiara
bellissima ricetta Marisa,prendo nota, voglio farla ! Buona settimana, un abbraccio
Marisa Franca
Grazie Chiara! Spero che ti piaccia. Un abbraccio forte! Buona serata!