# Tuna steaks cooking times

How long to cook tuna steak: **1–2 min per side pan-fried, 2–3 min per side under the grill, 2–3 min per side on the barbecue and 5–7 min in an air fryer at 200°C**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/tuna-steak-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook tuna steak

Times are for steaks about 2 cm thick.

Tuna steaks: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 1–2 min per side | in a very hot pan | For pink in the middle; 3 minutes per side for cooked through. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 2–3 min per side | under a very hot grill | – |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 2–3 min per side | over hot direct heat | – |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 5–7 min | 200°C (400°F) | For pink in the middle. |

## Before you start

Oil and season. Tuna is best seared and pink in the middle; cooked through, it’s dry.

## How to tell it’s done

Seared outside, pink in the middle.

## Questions

### How long to pan-fry tuna steak?

1–2 min per side in a very hot pan. For pink in the middle; 3 minutes per side for cooked through.

### How long to grill tuna steak?

2–3 min per side under a very hot grill.

### How long to barbecue tuna steak?

2–3 min per side over hot direct heat.

### How long to cook tuna steak in an air fryer?

5–7 min at 200°C (400°F). For pink in the middle.

---

Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/