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15 Ways with West Coast Albacore Tuna

Inventive ways to enjoy this sustainable variety of tuna

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1 /15 Alex Farnum

Albacore Tuna, Cucumber, and Potato Kebabs

These kebabs are a good way to use tuna loin, especially any odd-shaped pieces left over from making another recipe. Cooking cucumber may seem unusual, but heat brings out its sweetness.

Recipe: Albacore Tuna, Cucumber, and Potato Kebabs

2 /15

Loaf & Fish Tuna Sandwiches

The fish at San Diego's family-owned sandwich and taco stand Loaf & Fish varies by the week and seasons, from rockfish to black cod. This version of their sandwich uses the local Tuna Harbor Dockside Market’s namesake seafood.

Recipe: Loaf & Fish Tuna Sandwiches

3 /15 Alex Farnum

Tuna Gravlax with Radish and Avocado Salad

Tuna bellies, or toro, are prized in sushi bars for their velvety texture. That said, you can also use tuna loin in this recipe; it will simply be a little lean. Make sure that your knife is very sharp—it’s the key
to slicing through the soft fish easily without tearing it.

Recipe: Tuna Gravlax with Radish and Avocado Salad

4 /15 Alex Farnum

Star Anise and Ginger Tuna Confit

This gently spiced, rich tuna is terrific in sandwiches (we like it on brioche toasts, with cilantro and thinly sliced daikon radish, avocado, and cucumber). Or try it with soba noodles and in salads.

Recipe: Star Anise and Ginger Tuna Confit

5 /15 Alex Farnum

Tuna Roast with Ratatouille

A whole meaty tuna loin can be roasted the same way as a hunk of beef. If your loins are small—3/4 lb. or less each—you can tie them together to create a plumper-looking roast: With the widest sides together, tie at 2-in. intervals with kitchen twine. Take the tuna out of the oven when it’s still very rare—albacore keeps on cooking after it’s pulled off the heat, and if it’s overcooked, it’s dry.

Recipe: Tuna Roast with Ratatouille

6 /15 Alex Farnum

Tuna Coconut Curry

Serve with plenty of rice to soak up the spicy, tangy, creamy gravy.

Recipe: Tuna Coconut Curry

7 /15 James Carrier

Seared Tuna with Japanese Salsa

Quickly seared albacore steaks get topped with a soy- and lemon-flavored salsa in this speedy supper.

Recipe: Seared Tuna with Japanese Salsa

8 /15 Thomas J. Story; Styling: Karen Shinto

Grilled Albacore Citrus Salad

Quickly grilled albacore steaks top a bright and citrusy bed of greens, sweet onions, and creamy avocado in an entrée that can be prepared in 30 minutes.

Recipe: Grilled Albacore Citrus Salad

9 /15 James Carrier

Garden Tuna Salad

Sometimes the classics really are the best. We love this easy version of tuna salad studded with olives and crumbled hard-boiled eggs.

Recipe: Garden Tuna Salad

10 /15 Ngoc Minh Ngo

California Nicoise Sandwich

Inspired by the classic French salad, this fancy tuna sandwich takes a Western turn with sourdough and avocados.

Tailgate tip: Go ahead and make these ahead of time because they pack perfectly.

Recipe: California Nicoise Sandwich

11 /15 James Carrier

Seared Tuna with Papaya Salsa

A fresh tropical fruit salsa is a welcome addition to peppery albacore tuna steaks in this easy yet stylish dish.

Recipe: Seared Tuna with Papaya Salsa

12 /15 Christina Schmidhofer

Tuna with Tomato-Caper Sauce

Mediterranean flavors abound here: tomatoes, red wine, capers, and oregano. Sop up the sauce with plenty of crusty bread.

Recipe: Tuna with Tomato-Caper Sauce

13 /15 Christina Schmidhofer

Ojai Tapenade

Canned wild albacore tuna and anchovies give this olivey tapenade extra briny flavor. Serve with lots of crisp, in-season vegetables.

Recipe: Ojai Tapenade

14 /15 James Carrier

Niçoise on a Roll

Here we've stuffed the classic salad into a sourdough roll for a quick and tasty sandwich.

Recipe: Niçoise on a Roll

15 /15 Photo by James Carrier

Tuna Tortas with Pico de Gallo

We love the way the fresh tastes of cilantro and lime brighten the flavor of canned tuna in this Mexican-style sandwich.

Recipe: Tuna Tortas with Pico de Gallo