SPECIES

ALBACORE TUNA

Thunnus alalunga

One of Australian seafood’s great all-rounders, this species has historically been highly prized and appropriately priced in almost every major international market except Australia, where prices of whole Albacore rarely exceed $15/kg, and fillets (steaks) $30/kg. This is changing, however. The flesh is a pale, translucent, light pink with a lovely cover of fat around the belly. The steaks are excellent seared and served rare. Alternatively, sear a loin and slice thinly as a carpaccio or even try making your own preserved Tuna in a glass jar. Delicious!

DIVE DEEPER

COMMERCIAL NAME

Albacore Tuna

Method of Capture

Longline

Region

Southern Australia

Other names

Albacore

Scientific Family

Scombridae

Seasonality

Available year round, peaking from December-May.

Size

Commonly 3-22kg and 50-90cm, but can grow to 55kg and 127cm.

Price range

Medium priced.

Alternative Species

Mackerels, Striped Marlin, Swordfish, Tunas.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

SHOPPING TIPS

Sold whole, but more commonly as cutlets or steaks and sometimes as smoked fillets. In whole fish look for lustrous skin, firm flesh, and a pleasant, fresh sea smell. In cutlets, steaks and fillets, look for red, firm, lustrous, moist flesh without any dull brown markings or oozing water and with a pleasant fresh sea smell.

STORAGE TIPS

Make sure whole fish is gutted and cleaned thoroughly. Wrap whole fish, fillets, cutlets and steaks in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze whole fish for up to 6 months, and fillets, cutlets or steaks for up to 3 months, below -18ºC.

COOKING TIPS

Average yield is 70-75%. Has a mild flavour, low oiliness and dark red-brown, medium-firm textured flesh with large flakes and few bones. It tends to dry out quickly if overcooked. The centre bone of cutlets can be removed and a filling placed in the cavity.

COOKING METHODS

Poach, pan-fry, stir-fry, bake, braise, grill, barbecue, smoke, pickle. Best wrapped in foil or banana leaves if baking or barbecuing, to prevent it drying out. The firm flesh holds together well in soups, curries and casseroles and can be cubed for kebabs.

Flavour pairings

Balsamic vinegar, black pepper, char-grilled vegetables (such as eggplant, capsicum and zucchini), chilli, curry pastes, garlic, herbs, lemon, lime, olive oil.

IMPORTS

Canned from Europe and Asia.

Find similar species by tag

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

5 Deep-Sea Fish To Try Before You Die

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar (what is looks like pre flip)

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

5 Deep-Sea Fish To Try Before You Die

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar (what is looks like pre flip)

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Consectetuer Adipiscin

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