WELCOME [ Log In · Register ]        SITE [ Search · Page Index · Recent Changes ]    RSS

Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna Flavor Scale
 Flavor              
transparent1px.gif
 Oil              
transparent1px.gif
 Texture              

Back to Tuna Varieties

Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi)

Fresh Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) is a delicious fish which lends itself best to grilling or searing cooking applications.  Chefs-Resources' Yellowfin Tuna page shows when fresh Yellowfin is available, what it’s flavor profile and taste is like, the butchering yield % so you can determine your yield percentage for plate costing purposes.  You’ll also find a Yellowfin Tuna nutrition table, the Flavor Scale, and links for further Tuna research.

Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) Flavor Profile

Yellowfin Tuna has a medium-mild flavor with very firm texture.  Compared to other Tunas it is less flavorful than Bigeye but more flavorful than Albacore.  The flesh is deep red while raw, is often used for sashimi, and is best not cooked well-done as it looses flavor and becomes like cardboard.  Tuna Grading is as follows: No. 1 "Sashimi-grade" is the best, being the freshest and having the highest fat content.  No. 2 "Grill-grade" is next best.  No. 3 and No. 4 are lesser quality.  

Sashimi Grade #1++
Ahi Sashimi #1++		 Sashimi Grade #1+
Ahi Sashimi #1+		 Sashimi Grade #1
Ahi Sashimi #1
Sashimi Grade #2
Ahi #2
photos by www.honolulufish.com		    

 

Yellowfin Tuna Alternate Names

Ahi (Hawaiian).  Note: Bigeye Tuna is also sometimes called Ahi, but the term usually applies to Yellowfin.

Description

Yellowfin Tuna have a distinctive yellow dorsal fin and yellow strip along its sides.  The second dorsal fin and the, as well as the finlets between those fins and the tail, are bright yellow, giving this fish its common name.  The pectoral fins are also longer than the related bluefin tuna, but not as long as those of the albacore. The main body is very dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly, which has about 20 vertical lines.  It can grow to 300 Lbs but average commercial size is 8-20 Lbs.		 Ahi Yellowfin Tuna 
Image from Wikipidia-click for licensing

Range & Habitat

Yellowfin Tuna are found in warm waters all over the world.  In US markets the best Yellowfin are harvested from southern California, Hawaii, Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico and Florida.

Typical Wholesale Products

Rounds, H&G, Loins, Steaks

Fresh Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) Availability

Fresh Yellowfin (Ahi) Tuna availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green indicate limited availability.  Frozen available all year long.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
                                                                                               

 

Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna) Yield Percentage and Recovery

Item To Skn/Off Loins B/L-Out To Center-cut Steaks (8oz) Notes
Tuna Yellowfin H/G 55%  50%   
Skin/On Top-back Loin, Bloodline-In 85%  72%  13% for usable scrap meat or 2-piece steaks.  Taken from outside edge of the eye.
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahi Recipes

Visit our recipe database page and search our favorite seafood recipe sites. 

Yellowfin Tuna Sustainability Info

This window is a link to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program info on Yellowfin.

 

Ahi Nutritional Information

based upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving

* Calories/Calories from fat 185
* Protein grams  40.1
* Fat grams  1.5
* Saturated fat grams  .3
* Sodium milligrams  63
* Cholesterol milligrams  77
* Omega-3 grams  .3
more Yellowfin Tuna Ahi nutrition
 

 

Additional Resources:
  NOAA-Yellowfin Tuna  

Did you notice something which is missing on this page? If you have additional information about Yellowfin Tuna please add a comment and include detailed specifics. Our goal is to have detailed information which is relevant to professional chefs and foodies. Visit our seafood indexes which list over 40 fresh fish species and 130 oyster varieties.

Home