Jamie Oliver Citrus-Seared Tuna with Crispy Noodles

This Jamie Oliver Citrus-Seared Tuna with Crispy Noodles is a zesty and fresh recipe, which uses tuna and grapefruit. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 25 minutes plus marinating time.

Jamie Oliver Citrus-Seared Tuna with Crispy Noodles Ingredients

• 2 pink grapefruits
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 500g piece of sustainably sourced tuna
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for frying
• 2 or 3 fresh red chillies, very finely sliced
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large bunch of fresh coriander
• 1 small bunch of fresh mint
• a couple of good handfuls of glass or cellophane noodles
• 4 spring onions, finely sliced at an angle

How To Make Jamie Oliver Citrus-Seared Tuna with Crispy Noodles

1. Marinate the tuna: Squeeze the grapefruit juice into a sandwich bag, add the fish sauce and tuna, and seal it tightly, removing most of the air. Let it marinate for 40 minutes until the outside of the tuna looks pale and “cooked”.
2. Prepare the dressing: Pour the grapefruit juice from the bag into a bowl. Mix in the sesame oil, olive oil, and sliced chillies. Adjust the chilli amount to your liking and season with salt and pepper.
3. Coat the tuna with herbs: Tear off some coriander and mint for garnish. Finely chop the rest and pat them all around the tuna to coat it. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Cook the noodles: Boil the noodles for 1 minute until flexible, then drain and let them steam dry. Heat a little olive oil in a non-stick pan and fry the noodles until crispy on one side, then flip and crisp the other side.
5. Assemble the dish: Slice the tuna about 0.5cm thick. Divide the crispy noodles among 4 plates, top with tuna slices, garnish with the torn herbs and spring onions, and drizzle with the grapefruit dressing.

Recipe Tips

• How long should I marinate the tuna? 40 minutes is ideal to get that light citrus “cooked” effect on the outside.
• What kind of noodles work best? Glass or cellophane noodles are recommended for their texture and ability to crisp up well.
• Can I make this ahead? You can marinate and coat the tuna ahead, but cook the noodles and assemble right before serving.
• How spicy is this dish? It depends on how much chilli you add. Start with one and adjust to taste.
• What herbs are essential? Fresh coriander and mint are key to achieving the right flavor balance.

What To Serve With Citrus-Seared Tuna

This tuna dish is light and vibrant, making it perfect with:

1. Steamed jasmine rice
2. Asian cucumber salad
3. Stir-fried bok choy
4. Edamame with sea salt
5. Pickled vegetables

How To Store Citrus-Seared Tuna

Refrigerate: Store leftover tuna and noodles separately in airtight containers. Tuna is best eaten within 1 day.

Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for seared tuna due to texture changes.

Citrus-Seared Tuna Nutrition Facts

Calories: 240 kcal

Fat: 1.4g

Saturates: 0.3g

Sugars: 11.1g

Protein: 31.1g

Carbohydrates: 24.4g

FAQs

Can I use a different type of citrus?
Yes, orange or lime juice can work, but grapefruit adds a unique tang.

How to tell if the tuna is good quality?
It should be firm, moist, and have no strong fishy smell.

Can I cook the tuna fully?
Yes, but it’s best lightly seared or marinated for that sashimi-style finish.

Why are my noodles sticking to the pan?
Make sure they are dry before frying and use a good non-stick pan with enough oil.

Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, if you ensure the fish sauce is gluten-free.