RP
RecipePoolDiscover your next favorite recipe
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About
Search
Browse
IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion

Main Navigation

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About

Browse Faster

IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion
Follow RecipePool on Pinterest
RecipePool

1,784+ tested recipes

Thoughtfully tested recipes, seasonal inspiration, and cooking guides to help you make something delicious every day.

Get weekly recipe inspiration

Explore

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Seasonal
  • Products
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • Ingredients

Browse By

  • Cuisine
  • Diet
  • Method
  • Occasion

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Recipe Testing
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 RecipePool. All rights reserved.

HomeSearchCollectionsSaved
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Tuna Quinoa Power Bowl
Tuna quinoa power bowl with seared tuna and Mediterranean salad

Seared tuna steak over protein-packed quinoa salad

Tuna Quinoa Power Bowl

Tuna Quinoa Power Bowl

35 minMedium

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

35 min

Servings

2

2 bowls

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Premium

$$$

Be the first to rate this recipe
Share

Tuna Quinoa Power Bowl

Seared tuna steak over protein-packed quinoa salad

Sesame-seared tuna steak over a Mediterranean quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, and a lemon-herb vinaigrette. A high-protein, omega-3-rich power bowl.

15m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

35m

Total Time

2

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Premium $$$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineMain CourseGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

November 27, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

This protein powerhouse combines seared tuna with nutrient-dense quinoa for a bowl that fuels you for hours. Light yet incredibly satisfying, it works beautifully warm or cold.

Why This Recipe Works

Searing tuna hot and fast keeps the center rare and silky while the sesame crust adds crunch. Quinoa is a complete protein, making this bowl an amino acid powerhouse.

Ingredients

  • 2 tuna steaks (6 oz each), coated in sesame seeds
  • 1.5 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1/2 cucumber diced, 1/2 cup canned chickpeas
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard for dressing
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 2 tbsp capers
  • Lemon wedges and mixed greens for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook quinoa and let cool; toss with tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, parsley, and capers.

  2. 2

    Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard for the vinaigrette; dress the quinoa salad.

  3. 3

    Press sesame seeds onto both sides of the tuna steaks.

  4. 4

    Sear tuna in a smoking-hot oiled skillet for 45 seconds per side for rare.

  5. 5

    Slice tuna against the grain and serve over the quinoa salad with mixed greens and lemon wedges.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Tuna steaksCanned tuna or seared salmon

Both pair well with the Mediterranean quinoa salad

QuinoaFarro or bulgur wheat

Both hold the dressing and add nutty flavor

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Bring tuna to room temperature before searing for a more even cook.

  • Use a mix of black and white sesame seeds for a visually striking crust.

Storage

Store quinoa salad for up to 4 days. Sear tuna fresh or store separately for 1 day.

Reheating

Enjoy cold or at room temperature—do not microwave seared tuna.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (55mg) · 2 servings

Calories480
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein18g
Carbohydrates36g
Fat42g
Fiber540mg
Sugar6g
Sodium10g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned tuna instead?
Yes, use oil-packed albacore tuna for a budget-friendly version.
What if I overcook the tuna?
It is still delicious—just more like a tuna steak than sashimi.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Main CourseGluten-Free RecipesDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.

Related Recipes

Mango shrimp bowl with tropical salsa and coconut rice

Mango Shrimp Bowl

30 min

Colorful Mexican burrito bowl featuring guacamole, black beans, and shredded cheese.

Breakfast Burrito Bowl

35 min

Delicious açaí bowl topped with granola and cashew nuts, perfect for a healthy dessert.

Acai Protein Bowl

10 min

Colorful poke bowl featuring fresh tuna, avocado, and tobiko with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Deconstructed Sushi Bowl

40 min

Delicious close-up of Chana Masala, a flavorful Indian dish garnished with mint and onion.

Curry Chickpea Bowl

30 min

Healthy buddha bowl with fresh vegetables, rice, and beans on a wooden table.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Bowl

40 min

You Might Also Like

Mango shrimp bowl with tropical salsa and coconut rice
Gluten-Free
Easy

Mexican

Mango Shrimp Bowl

30 min4 servings
View Recipe

Mango Shrimp Bowl

30 min•Easy
Colorful Mexican burrito bowl featuring guacamole, black beans, and shredded cheese.
Gluten-Free
Easy

Mexican

Breakfast Burrito Bowl

35 min4 servings
View Recipe

Breakfast Burrito Bowl

35 min•Easy
Delicious açaí bowl topped with granola and cashew nuts, perfect for a healthy dessert.
VeganGluten-Free
Easy

Acai Protein Bowl

10 min1 servings
View Recipe

Acai Protein Bowl

10 min•Easy
Colorful poke bowl featuring fresh tuna, avocado, and tobiko with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Dairy-Free
Easy

Japanese

Deconstructed Sushi Bowl

40 min2 servings
View Recipe

Deconstructed Sushi Bowl

40 min•Easy
Delicious close-up of Chana Masala, a flavorful Indian dish garnished with mint and onion.
VeganGluten-Free
Easy

Thai

Curry Chickpea Bowl

30 min4 servings
View Recipe

Curry Chickpea Bowl

30 min•Easy
Healthy buddha bowl with fresh vegetables, rice, and beans on a wooden table.
VeganGluten-Free
Easy

Mexican

Black Bean Sweet Potato Bowl

40 min4 servings
View Recipe

Black Bean Sweet Potato Bowl

40 min•Easy
See more Mediterranean recipes →