Name: Blackened Tuna Bites with Sweet Pickle Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: for the sweet pickle dipping sauce; ½ cup sour cream; ½ cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; for the tuna bites; 1 ½ pounds fresh tuna (cut in 1 inch cubes); 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons salted butter; lemon wedges for serving

This Blackened Tuna Bites recipe is ready in 15 minutes and tastes better than any restaurant version. It's my go-to seafood recipe for those nights when I want big flavor with little effort. Serve as an appetizer for your next happy hour or entrée over mixed greens.

"Loved it…turned out perfect…blackened on the outside with a little crunch and tender, pink, and juicy on the inside! Thanks for a great recipe!" Janine

Recipe review

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Why I love blackened tuna bites

The more I cook, the more I realize that I love easy seafood recipes that are packed with unbelievable flavor. And I love to share my recipes for Salmon Baked in Foil and Tuna Ceviche with you.

These blackened tuna bites are one such recipe. It's a favorite fresh tuna recipe. I developed the recipe after a recent text from a friend.

She asked if I wanted some freshly caught tuna. Definitely a YES! After picking up 3 pounds of rosy pink and uber fresh fish, it was time to get to work making delicious dishes.

Following a long day cooking for my personal chef clients, I love nothing more than a quick and delish dinner recipe. This blackened tuna recipe is ready in 15 minutes and tastes amazing.

A homemade blackened spice blend is tossed with bite-sized pieces of super fresh tuna and quickly sauteed in butter. An easy peasy sweet pickle dipping sauce is a cool accompaniment for the bold flavored tuna.

There is just so much knock your socks off flavor in this recipe. I can't wait for you to try it!

Ingredients for blackened tuna

Fresh tuna, lemon, spices, butter, mayo, and sour cream.

sour cream
mayonnaise
sweet pickle relish
lemon juice
fresh tuna
paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper

Scroll to the recipe below for full quantities of the ingredients.

Paprika, thyme, basil, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and pepper.

Substitutions and additions

Use super fresh tuna. Ahi is my #1 choice. You can also use frozen tuna such as yellowfin.
A quick homemade blackened seasoning is made with every day pantry ingredients. A store bought one works too.

What does blackened seasoning taste like?

Blackened seasoning is a blend of common spices. You probably have them all in your cabinet right now. It's like Cajun or Creole seasoning, but usually not as spicy.

Paprika, garlic and onion powders, dried thyme, basil, and oregano, kosher salt, and cayenne and regular pepper are mixed together. The result is a blend with a little bit of heat and earthiness from the herbs.

Try it on steaks, burgers, pork chops and tenderloin, salmon, mahi mahi, tuna, shrimp, scallops, chicken, and lamb chops. I also toss it with roasted or grilled veggies. It's so versatile.

I double and even triple the recipe to keep some on hand. It's an easy way to add bold flavor to almost any meat and vegetable.

How to make tuna bites

This blackened tuna recipe comes together super quick! Perfect for an easy appetizer or dinner.

I serve the tuna bites on a big platter with a dish of the sweet pickle dipping sauce and lemon wedges. These are so addictively delish!

Sour cream, mayo, sweet pickle relish, fresh parsley, lemon.

A spice blend for blackening fresh tuna.

Step 1: I start off by combining the sour cream, mayo, sweet pickle relish, fresh parsley and lemon juice for the creamy dipping sauce. Set this aside while prepping and cooking the tuna.

Step 2: Next combine the blackened seasoning blend. This is where I either add some more cayenne pepper to up the spiciness (my husband is loves his food hot hot hot!) or tone it down a bit for myself.

Seasoned blackened tuna bites in a bowl.

Sauteing tuna bites in a cast iron skillet.

Step 4: The cubed tuna is tossed with the spices and then sauteed just for a couple minutes. I use salted butter as it adds a richness to the tuna along with a nice crust. The medium rare tuna pieces get a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and brightness.

Suggestions and tips

Cut the tuna in the same size pieces ~ about 1 inch cubes ~ so it cooks evenly.
Tuna is dry and chewy when overcooked. Be sure to sauté it briefly in a hot pan for the best tasting tuna. You want it seared on the outside and still pink on the inside.
I like to control the spiciness of the blackened seasoning and mix up a batch with the everyday spices. If you have a favorite packaged brand, by all means use a store bought blackened seasoning instead.

A platter with seafood tuna bites and dipping sauce.

What to pair with blackened tuna?

Blackened tuna bites have bold flavor and can be served as an appetizer or main course.

When having blackened tuna bites as a snack or appetizer, I like to use a variety of dipping sauces. My favorites include ~

When I looking to make a meal with the tuna bites, I love these side dishes.

Toss with my Parmesan buttered noodles with garlic.
Serve these fresh tuna fish bites with my easy pork pot stickers.
Top a salad of chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, slices of cucumber, and slivers of red onion with the seasoned tuna.
Add a side of steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans and some fluffy rice.
Serve over my cauliflower rice pilaf.