The Tropical Seared Tuna Sandwich is a handhelf delight that combines a variety of flavors and textures, creating a dish that’s not only vibrant and colorful but also rich in taste.

Components of the Tropical Seared Tuna Sandwich:

Seared Ahi Tuna: The star of the sandwich is the ahi tuna, known for its mild flavor and firm texture. Marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil and then seared, the tuna brings a savory, umami richness to the handheld delight. The quick searing process ensures the outside is beautifully caramelized while the inside remains tender and slightly pink, offering a contrast in textures and tastes.
Chipotle Guava Mango Jam: This jam is a seductive fusion of sweet and spicy flavors. Mango adds tropical sweetness, guava brings a unique depth, and chipotle peppers introduce a smoky heat. The combination creates a nuanced flavor profile that enhances the overall taste of the sandwich.
Avocado Aioli: The creamy avocado aioli acts as both a cooling and a smoothing element. Made with ripe avocados, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, and mayonnaise, it adds a rich and creamy texture, tying together the spiciness of the jam and the umami of the tuna.
Sliced Red Onion: The addition of thinly sliced red onion introduces a slight sharpness and crunch, offering both a textural contrast and a zing that cuts through the richness of the other components.
Bread: The choice of bread can significantly influence the sandwich’s texture and flavor. A good quality sourdough or ciabatta provides a sturdy base with a crisp exterior and soft interior, capable of holding the fillings without getting soggy.

The Tropical Seared Tuna Sandwich is an adventure in every bite. The initial taste is a blend of the smoky and sweet jam with the savory element of the seared tuna, quickly followed by the creamy and smooth avocado aioli. The the aioli quickly balances the palate, the crispness of the red onion and the hearty texture of the bread round off each bite, making the sandwich is a fun adventure to chow down.

The Tropical Seared Tuna Sandwich artfully combines diverse flavors from around the world, creating a symphony of taste in every bite. The core ingredient, seared ahi tuna, brings a touch of Japanese cuisine, known for its delicate handling of seafood. The tuna’s rich, meaty texture, enhanced by a soy and sesame marinade, provides a perfect canvas for the other flavors. The chipotle guava mango jam introduces a bold, Latin-inspired twist, combining the smoky depth of chipotle peppers with the sweet, tropical notes of mango and guava. This fusion of sweet and spicy encapsulates the essence of Caribbean and South American flavors. Complementing these components is the creamy avocado aioli, a nod to Californian and Mexican culinary styles, adding a smooth, rich layer that binds all the flavors together. Topped with crisp, red onions, the sandwich is a delightful play of textures and tastes, where each component not only stands out on its own but also harmoniously blends with the others. The result is a sandwich that is not just food, but a global experience, a testament to the beauty of culinary fusion where borders blur and flavors unite.

Tropical Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich (with Avocado Aioli and Chipotle Guava Mango Jam)

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Kyle Taylor Course: MainsCuisine: FusionDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hour

minutes

Total time

hours

The Tropical Seared Tuna Sandwich is an eclectic culinary delight, blending the rich, umami flavors of seared ahi tuna with the sweet and spicy notes of chipotle guava mango jam, creamy avocado aioli, and the sharp crunch of red onion, all nestled between artisan bread.

Ingredients

For the Seared Ahi Tuna
2 2 ahi tuna steaks (~6 ounces each)
1/2 cup 1/2 soy sauce
2 tablespoos 2 sesame oil
salt and ground black pepper
For the Chipotle Guava Mango Jam
1 large 1 mango (peeled and diced)
6 ripe 6 guavas, peeled and roughly chopped
2 dried 2 chipotle peppers, rehydrated and diced
1/4 cup 1/4 water
1 tablespoon 1 apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons 2 sugar
salt, to taste
For the Avocado Aioli
1 ripe 1 avocado
2 cloves 2 garlic, minced
1/2 cup 1/2 mayonnaise
1 whole 1 lime juice, juiced and zested
salt and ground black pepper, to taste
To Assemble
4 slices 4 sandwich bread
1/2 whole 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Directions

Marinate Ahi Tuna:
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and sesame oil.

Place the tuna steaks in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the tuna, ensuring the steaks are well-coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a stronger flavor.
Prepare Chipotle Guava Mango Jam:
Peel the guavas, remove the seeds if desired (they are edible but can be gritty), and chop the flesh roughly. Add the water and chopped guava to a blender. Blend until throughly pureed.

In a saucepan, combine the mango, pureed guavas, chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently. Cook until the fruits are completely softened and the mixture has thickened, which can take about 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Once the fruits are soft, you can mash them with a potato masher for a chunkier texture or blend the mixture for a smoother jam. Remove from heat and let the jam cool. Once cooled, transfer it to a jar or container for storage.
Prepare Avocado Aioli:
In a bowl, mash the avocado until smooth. Mix in the garlic, mayonnaise, lime juice, and lime zest until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate until needed.
Sear Ahi Tuna:
After marinating, remove the tuna steaks from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet or grilling pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated tuna steaks in the hot skillet. Sear for about 1-2 minutes on each side for a medium-rare finish, or 2-3 minutes on each side for a medium finish.

Remove the tuna from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, slice the tuna thinly against the grain.
Assemble the Sandwich:
Toast the bread slices until lightly golden. On one slice of bread, spread a generous layer of Avocado Aioli. On the other side, spread a generous layer of Chipotle Guava Mango Jam. Arrange the seared tuna slices on one side of the bread. Top with sliced red onions, and press everything together.