A composite transparent YAG/Yb:YAG/YAG ceramic was prepared by a non-aqueous tape-casting method. An optical transmittance of 82% was obtained at visible wavelength and around 1100 nm. A low-threshold, broadband tunable continuous-wave (CW) laser at 1031 nm was further demonstrated from the ceramic sample, which was pumped by a 974 nm fiber-pigtailed laser diode. The threshold pump power was 0.45 W and the maximum output power was 3.2 W, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 20.4%. By inserting an SF57 prism in the laser cavity, the output wavelength could be tuned continuously from 1021 to 1058 nm.