Smoked TUNA bellies!

WaterDog · 10-23-2005, 08:42 AM

This recipe is from the Salty Dogs.

1) Pack bellies in rock salt for 20 to 30 mintes. Not any longer!

2) Remove salt and rinse.

3) Pat dry.

4) Place in smoker until desired texture is achieved, usually 3 to 10 hours depending on your smoker. Alder seems to be the wood of choice.

5) Eat and enjoy.

Here are the origional posts from the Salty Dog Board as a reference. There is some good discussion so you might want to read these for more detailed info.

Smoked TUNA! 1
Smoked TUNA! 2
Smoked TUNA! 3
Smoked TUNA! 4

Mr. Fisherman · 07-21-2006, 05:12 PM

Back to the top as I am certain others will look for this as the season is upon us.
I am putting Tuna bellies on the smoker as soon as my pork but is done... Mmm Mmm Mmm

CrazyFish · 02-20-2007, 12:04 PM

Great post. It still amazes me how many discard their TUNA bellies. As for the prep work I use the same wet brine as my smoked salmon. So far everyone that has tried it raves and wants to know where they can buy some, I just chucke and tell them they can't that I know of. As far as I know none of the comercial smokers have picked up on the idea of smoking TUNA bellies, so they are still a delicasy for those of us that get our hands dirty.

Terrymcd4 · 08-23-2008, 06:04 PM

I just did the rock salt for 20 minutes as above. I only had hickory chips, and ran 2 pans thru (Smokey Mountain Propane smoker...runs about 200, so kinda hot) only took about 2 hours, and tastes GREAT! Just the right amount of salt and smoke flavor.

Rabid Fisherman · 09-26-2008, 03:49 PM

Wowee. I ran some bellies just as you described on a Traeger with alder. This has to be right up there with the best smoked fish I have ever done and I have been doing it for years.

Thanks and pm sent

Scott

crfsteelheader · 08-24-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabid Fisherman

Wowee. I ran some bellies just as you described on a Traeger with alder. This has to be right up there with the best smoked fish I have ever done and I have been doing it for years.

Thanks and pm sent

Scott

How long did you leave them on the Traeger? And what temp? I need to try this one out!

byebyeducky · 08-25-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crfsteelheader

How long did you leave them on the Traeger? And what temp? I need to try this one out!

I do them on my Traeger on the smoke setting (I just have high/medium/smoke) for about 4 hours. It really isn't that critical. I heard comments like "this is the best smoked fish I have ever had" The rock salt for 25 minutes gave it the perfect saltiness, and it was moist and very tasty. You still can't come close to smoked salmon belly's and collars though. (at least for my taste buds)

crfsteelheader · 08-25-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byebyeducky

I do them on my Traeger on the smoke setting (I just have high/medium/smoke) for about 4 hours. It really isn't that critical. I heard comments like "this is the best smoked fish I have ever had" The rock salt for 25 minutes gave it the perfect saltiness, and it was moist and very tasty. You still can't come close to smoked salmon belly's and collars though. (at least for my taste buds)

Awesome, thank you BBD! I will use that as a starting point.

Chug · 08-25-2009, 08:43 AM

I posted my smoked tuna Belly's, using the flower pot smoker.. tasty.. add mayo, some pepper, garlic Toss on fresh baked buns.. YUMMY...

Have one package left.. trying to hold out & save it for Elk camp.. for snack in the deep dark woods with a cold beer & crackers over looking a meadow.. snack time. mmmmmmm

wulfdog · 09-21-2009, 12:43 AM

I was reading in one of the posts where a guy said he was smoking tuna and would finish off cooking it when he canned it. Can anyone tell me how to can smoked tuna. I have canned a lot of fresh tuna buy adding spices, and salt to raw fresh tuna and sticking it in pint and 1/2 pint jars then pressure canning it. When done the tuna has released its oil and there is usually half a jar of oil with the tuna. If I smoke tuna, can I just stick it into jars and can it, or should I add water or chicken stock to the jar? I'm not sure whether there will be enough moisture left in the tuna to can it. Any ideas?

Thunnus · 09-23-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wulfdog

I was reading in one of the posts where a guy said he was smoking tuna and would finish off cooking it when he canned it. Can anyone tell me how to can smoked tuna. I have canned a lot of fresh tuna buy adding spices, and salt to raw fresh tuna and sticking it in pint and 1/2 pint jars then pressure canning it. When done the tuna has released its oil and there is usually half a jar of oil with the tuna. If I smoke tuna, can I just stick it into jars and can it, or should I add water or chicken stock to the jar? I'm not sure whether there will be enough moisture left in the tuna to can it. Any ideas?

Check other posts on smoked albacore, but the canning they say will intensify the smokiness. Donot smoke like a salmon or it will come out too dry, unless you add say olive oil or something. What I do is only smoke 2-4 hours, then can. I still add a teaspoon of olive oil.

summoner7 · 10-04-2009, 10:07 PM

I saw this thread a week or two ago and decided to try to smoke some tuna if we had any leftovers from canning tuna. We had some leftover tuna so I tried it this weekend with no salt (someone on another ifish thread recommended that!), just alder chips and they came out really good, although it has to stay in the fridge! Here's my blog post in case you're interested.

galleyjoe · 11-23-2009, 03:14 PM

Drool!!! Ohhhhhhhh I hope that tastes as good as it looks!!!

summoner7 · 03-21-2010, 12:39 PM

Imagine the luck: By accident, while rooting around in my freezer, I found my long lost package of tuna bellies that I had set aside last summer for smoking. So, I attempted to improve on a good thing (from two posts up in this same thread!). This time, I packed the tuna in sea salt for about 20 or 30 minutes, then rinsed and dried before putting on the smoker. This time, they were WAY better, and with just a hint of saltiness!

Here's a link to Alder-Smoked Albacore Tuna at my blog in case you're interested.

jake_705 · 04-19-2010, 09:22 AM

yum

rtg · 04-29-2010, 07:33 PM

Damn Now I am hungery agian!!

langararocks · 08-03-2010, 04:50 PM

Tried the rock salt method and then smoked it in the Traeger. Came out awesome!!! I think I might try a honey wasabi glaze next time to try something different.

Here’s the recipe I am thinking about trying; now I just need some more tuna

.

Honey Wasabi Recipe
3 Tbls. honey
3 Tbls. soy sauce
4 Tbls. mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine),
1 tsp. wasabi powder
1 Tbls. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. veg. oil

Thinking of just brushing it on a couple times during the smoke process.

10-23-2005, 08:42 AM	#1
WaterDog King Salmon Join Date: May 2000 Location: West Valley Posts: 5,932	Smoked TUNA bellies! This recipe is from the Salty Dogs. 1) Pack bellies in rock salt for 20 to 30 mintes. Not any longer! 2) Remove salt and rinse. 3) Pat dry. 4) Place in smoker until desired texture is achieved, usually 3 to 10 hours depending on your smoker. Alder seems to be the wood of choice. 5) Eat and enjoy. Here are the origional posts from the Salty Dog Board as a reference. There is some good discussion so you might want to read these for more detailed info. Smoked TUNA! 1 Smoked TUNA! 2 Smoked TUNA! 3 Smoked TUNA! 4

07-21-2006, 05:12 PM	#2
Mr. Fisherman King Salmon Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Hillsboro, OR, USA Posts: 5,814	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Back to the top as I am certain others will look for this as the season is upon us. I am putting Tuna bellies on the smoker as soon as my pork but is done... Mmm Mmm Mmm __________________ I LOVE my job!.... It's the BEST! IT'S FANTASTIC!! ~Nacho Libre.

02-20-2007, 12:04 PM	#3
CrazyFish Tuna! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Garibaldi, OR Posts: 1,081	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Great post. It still amazes me how many discard their TUNA bellies. As for the prep work I use the same wet brine as my smoked salmon. So far everyone that has tried it raves and wants to know where they can buy some, I just chucke and tell them they can't that I know of. As far as I know none of the comercial smokers have picked up on the idea of smoking TUNA bellies, so they are still a delicasy for those of us that get our hands dirty. __________________ EAT ME LURE Sales Rep Oregon Tuna Classic 2005/2006/2007

08-23-2008, 06:04 PM	#4
Terrymcd4 Coho Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 92	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! I just did the rock salt for 20 minutes as above. I only had hickory chips, and ran 2 pans thru (Smokey Mountain Propane smoker...runs about 200, so kinda hot) only took about 2 hours, and tastes GREAT! Just the right amount of salt and smoke flavor. __________________ The first liar never has a chance

09-26-2008, 03:49 PM	#5
Rabid Fisherman Steelhead Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hermiston OR Posts: 123	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Wowee. I ran some bellies just as you described on a Traeger with alder. This has to be right up there with the best smoked fish I have ever done and I have been doing it for years. Thanks and pm sent Scott __________________ I Fish...I Hunt....I Provide

08-25-2009, 08:43 AM	#9
Chug Ifish Nate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yamhill Co. Posts: 2,855	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! I posted my smoked tuna Belly's, using the flower pot smoker.. tasty.. add mayo, some pepper, garlic Toss on fresh baked buns.. YUMMY... Have one package left.. trying to hold out & save it for Elk camp.. for snack in the deep dark woods with a cold beer & crackers over looking a meadow.. snack time. mmmmmmm __________________ - "UVA UVAM VIVENDO VARIA FIT! "

09-21-2009, 12:43 AM	#10
wulfdog Fry Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! I was reading in one of the posts where a guy said he was smoking tuna and would finish off cooking it when he canned it. Can anyone tell me how to can smoked tuna. I have canned a lot of fresh tuna buy adding spices, and salt to raw fresh tuna and sticking it in pint and 1/2 pint jars then pressure canning it. When done the tuna has released its oil and there is usually half a jar of oil with the tuna. If I smoke tuna, can I just stick it into jars and can it, or should I add water or chicken stock to the jar? I'm not sure whether there will be enough moisture left in the tuna to can it. Any ideas?

10-04-2009, 10:07 PM	#12
summoner7 Chromer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Top of Oregon City Posts: 590	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! I saw this thread a week or two ago and decided to try to smoke some tuna if we had any leftovers from canning tuna. We had some leftover tuna so I tried it this weekend with no salt (someone on another ifish thread recommended that!), just alder chips and they came out really good, although it has to stay in the fridge! Here's my blog post in case you're interested.

11-23-2009, 03:14 PM	#13
galleyjoe Fry Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 13	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Drool!!! Ohhhhhhhh I hope that tastes as good as it looks!!!

03-21-2010, 12:39 PM	#14
summoner7 Chromer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Top of Oregon City Posts: 590	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Imagine the luck: By accident, while rooting around in my freezer, I found my long lost package of tuna bellies that I had set aside last summer for smoking. So, I attempted to improve on a good thing (from two posts up in this same thread!). This time, I packed the tuna in sea salt for about 20 or 30 minutes, then rinsed and dried before putting on the smoker. This time, they were WAY better, and with just a hint of saltiness! Here's a link to Alder-Smoked Albacore Tuna at my blog in case you're interested.

04-19-2010, 09:22 AM	#15
jake_705 Coho Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 54	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! yum

04-29-2010, 07:33 PM	#16
rtg Steelhead Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 111	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Damn Now I am hungery agian!!

08-03-2010, 04:50 PM	#17
langararocks Steelhead Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: HV Posts: 247	Re: Smoked TUNA bellies! Tried the rock salt method and then smoked it in the Traeger. Came out awesome!!! I think I might try a honey wasabi glaze next time to try something different. Here’s the recipe I am thinking about trying; now I just need some more tuna . Honey Wasabi Recipe 3 Tbls. honey 3 Tbls. soy sauce 4 Tbls. mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine), 1 tsp. wasabi powder 1 Tbls. fresh lime juice 2 tsp. veg. oil Thinking of just brushing it on a couple times during the smoke process.

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