What Does Dogtooth Tuna Taste Like? Read This First

Dogtooth Tuna are a difficult fish to land, which has resulted in the species becoming a highly prized and sought-after trophy fish. They are notorious for hard deep-diving runs, which often result in the line being cut by sharp reef or rock. They are also attacked and eaten by sharks in the later stages of the fight. They are great fish to target and offer a delicious and nutritious meal. So what does Dogtooth Tuna taste like?

The short answer is that Dogtooth Tuna tastes similar to many other species of mackerel and tuna. They have a wonderfully firm and meaty texture, with a distinctive mild flavor.

Let’s learn more about what does Dogtooth Tuna taste like.

What Does Dogtooth Tuna Taste Like? Detailed Answer

Dogtooth Tuna is an excellent eating fish, and it’s also quite versatile. It’s not only delicious to eat but also full of nutrition and goodness. After carking the fish, you can then eat the meat. Dogtooth Tuna are part of the Mackerel family and taste more like a Mackerel, Yellowtail, or Queenfish than a Tuna.

Author Note: The flesh can be grilled, fried, deep-fried, smoked, and can also be eaten raw. As the cooking technique changes, so does the taste of the fish. My personal preference is to eat Dogtooth Tuna raw, accompanied by Soya Sauce, Pickled Ginger, and Wasabi Paste.

I also enjoy my Dogtooth Tuna seared, with a simple seasoning of Salt, Pepper, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This preparation works well for Skipjack Tuna, Albacore Tuna, and much more.

Best Rods for Catching Dogtooth Tuna

Daiwa BG Big Game Fishing Rod

Best Reel for Dogtooth Tuna

Penn Jigmaster 500L Conventional Fishing Reel

Dogtooth Tuna Recipes

Here are some delicious recipes for you to try. They are relatively simple and can be made by anyone. The key to a great tasting dish is the quality and freshness of your fish. Dogtooth Tuna do have a decent fridge-life and can even be frozen.

However, the best way to enjoy this fine fish is to eat it on the same day that you caught it. It makes a huge difference and allows the fish an opportunity to offer you all of its best qualities.

Dogtooth Tuna Carpaccio with Ponzu Sauce

This is one of my favorite recipes, which really expresses the taste of this delicious fish. It is effortless and requires 20 minutes of preparation and a cooking time of just five minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 x Fresh Dogtooth Tuna Fillets
• 1 x Garlic Clove (minced)
• ½ x Lime (juiced with zest)
• 3 x Lime Leaves (sliced into thin strips)
• 1 x Tablespoon Soya Sauce
• 1 x Tablespoon coconut oil or sunflower oil
• 3 x Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 x Tablespoon Ketjap Manis (sweet Indonesian soya sauce)
• ½ x Carrot (diced)
• ½ x Leek (sliced into thin rings)
• 1 x Pinch of Salt
• 10 x grams Fermented Shrimp Paste
• 1 x Shallot (sliced into thin rings)
• 1 x Red Chilli Pepper (sliced into thin strips)
• 1 x Lemongrass (sliced into thin strips)
• 150 grams of white rice

Directions

• Steam dry the rice and allow it to cool naturally.
• Bring a medium-sized SaucePan to high heat, fry the Shrimp Paste for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool naturally.
• Using a pair of latex gloves, combine Shallot, Lemongrass, and Shrimp Paste in a mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix thoroughly.
• Mix in Coconut or Sunflower Oil, Salt, and Lime Juice set aside, and allow to rest.
• Bring a medium-sized frying pan to medium heat, add Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Fry the Garlic, Carrots, and Leek for just 2-3 minutes until soft.
•  Add rice, and fry for an additional 3 minutes while stirring constantly. After 1.5 minutes, add salty and sweet soy sauces and mix thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside. (this step is crucial)
• Bring a medium-sized skillet to a medium heat. Lightly coat the fresh Dogtooth Tuna fillets and season with a pinch of salt. Grill both for 2-3 minutes on each side and remove from the skillet.
• Dish your rice and top with the Dogtooth Tuna fillets. Spoon sambals over the Dogtooth Tuna and garnish with Lime zest.
• Serve and Enjoy.

Grilled Dogtooth Tuna with Balinese Sambal

This incredible recipe requires 45 minutes of preparation, but the end product is something special. It has a cooking time of 30 minutes, and this recipe serves two people. 

Ingredients

• 2 x Fresh Dogtooth Tuna (thinly sliced)
• 25 x ml Japanese Rice Wine
• 25 x ml Dashi Stock
• 25 x ml Rice Vinegar
• 20 x ml Fresh squeezed Orange Juice
• 80 x ml Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
• 100 x ml Soya Sauce (salty)
• ¼ x Daikon Radish (shredded)
• 1 x Bunch of Purple Shiso Leaves
• ½ x Tablespoon of Black Sesame Seeds

Directions

• Combine Mirin, Rice Vinegar, Dashi, Orange Juice, Lemon Juice, and Soya sauce in a small mixing bowl to make the dressing. Set aside.
• Wrap the Dogtooth Tuna Fillets loosely in cling film. Using the bottom of a frying pan or side of your chef’s knife, gently flatten your Dogtooth Tuna slices.
• Combine two tablespoons of dressing, Daikon, and half the sesame seeds.
• Plate your Dogtooth Tuna and distribute the Daikon evenly.
• Drizzle remaining dressing over the Tuna and sprinkle with remaining Sesame Seeds.
• Garnish with Lime and Shiso Leaves
• Serve and Enjoy

Dogtooth Tuna and Olive Stuffed Romano Peppers

This is a simple and delicious recipe that will have your family or guests coming back for more. It has a preparation time of 20 minutes and a cooking time of 25 minutes. This recipe will serve two people

Ingredients

• 2 x Fresh Dog Tooth Tuna Fillets (sliced into small cubes)
• 2 x Romano peppers (halved)
• 1 x Zest from Lemon
• ¼ x bunch of Parsley leaves (finely Chopped)
• 3 x Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 x Pinch of Salt
• 2 x Pinch of Pepper
• 2 x Teaspoons of Panko (Japanese Bread Crumbs)
• 5 x Black Olives (halved)
• 2 x Teaspoons of Capers
• 12 x Shiitake Mushrooms (chopped)
• 1 x Clove of Garlic (minced or finely chopped)
• 1 x Small Red Onion (diced)
• ½ x 2-ounce tin of Anchovies (sustainable)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F)
• Bring a medium-sized frying pan to a medium heat. Sautee red Onion, Shitake Mushrooms, and Garlic for 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add Anchovies and cook for two minutes until reduced.
• Add Dogtooth Tuna, Olives, and Capers. Cook for two minutes or until cooked through.
• Brush the halved peppers with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and place in a baking dish (ovenproof)
• Fill the halved Peppers with your tasty Dogtooth Tuna Mixture and gently dust with Panko.
• Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
• Garnish Peppers with Lemon Zest and Parsley.
• Season with Salt and Pepper.
• Serve and Enjoy.

More Dogtooth Tuna Facts

Dogtooth Tuna are apex non-pelagic hunters that can be found in warm, tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They can also be located along the coast of East Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, south of Australia, and north of Japan. These aggressive and formidable predators inhabit reefs and areas with structure. They feed on smaller schooling fish that anglers can find within this environment. They are opportunistic hunters and have an extremely aggressive nature. 

Dogtooth Tuna are fierce and powerful. They are opportunistic hunters and extremely aggressive by nature. They can be located in warm tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Author Note: They can be found north of Japan, south of Australia, in the Red Sea, and along the East Coast of Africa. Anglers can find dogtooth Tuna at depths of between 10-300m (30-900ft). They inhabit reef environments and feed on smaller schooling fish within this habitat.

Squid is another favored source of food and makes up a large portion of their diet. They are challenging fish to land, which has elevated their Trophy Fish status. They are notorious for hard-downward runs, which often result in your line being cut off by reef or structure. They are also prone to mutilation by Sharks, particularly in the later stages of the fight. Sharks love Dogtooth Tuna, and so do humans. 

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this guide on what does Dogtooth Tuna taste like. The flesh is firm and meaty and tastes similar to a Mackerel. There are many delicious ways to prepare this versatile fish. You can grill the meat, sear, deep-fried, smoked, and even eat it raw. The key to a great tasting dish is the freshness and quality of the fish.

Happy Hunting!