What Is the Taste of Wahoo? Answered (Updated in 2023)

Wahoos are a kind of fish noted for their remarkable speed. Sport fisherman are enthralled because landing a game fish like this is unusual and requires a high level of ability. Many people like this game fish for its delicious flavor and nutritional value.

But how does wahoo taste? Here’s the genuine thing.

Wahoo & Its Taste

Wahoo is juicy, mild, and sweet in flavor. Its fish flesh has a solid texture and is exceedingly lean, delicate, and flaky. Wahoo flesh has been likened to chicken or veal meat because to its high-quality white colour and meaty feel.

Wahoo belongs to the same family as tuna and mackerel. It also contains a range of nutrients. However, unlike other fish in the mackerel family, it is not oily and has a low fat content.

What’s A Wahoo? 

In Hawaii, wahoo is called Ono, and in the United States, hoo. It has kinship with the king mackerel. Wahoo, on the other hand, is more colorful, sleek, has small scales, and a pointed body. They are bright royal blue when fresh out of the water, with blue-purple stripes on the upper half of the body.

Despite being one of the swiftest and quickest types of fish in the ocean, wahoos may grow to be five to eight feet long, with the largest ever taken weighing 184 pounds at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Wahoo fishing is popular in Hawaii, North and South America, and tropical and subtropical Atlantic seas.

What Does It Taste Like? 

Raw

Because of its lean nature, it tends to chunk and might be chewy when uncooked. The best time to eat and consume it is immediately after catching it and when it is fresh, since it will not taste well and will not stay long if frozen.

It also has a moderate taste, so the strong fishy flavor will not offend you.

Cooked

Grilled/Smoked

Wahoo is also delicious when grilled or smoked. The flesh is white, crisp, and very flaky. Because of its mushy and meaty nature, it is ideal for cooking on the smoked grill barbeque.

To avoid overcooking when grilling, remove the fish from the oven or grill when half-cooked and cover to continue cooking.

Steamed

Wahoo may be cooked by steaming, broiling, or baking. However, you must keep an eye on it at all times to prevent it from being scorched throughout the cooking process. Because it is a lean, meaty fish, it may be seared quickly and overdone.

Used In Sashimi & Sushi

The most popular raw Wahoo meals are sushi and sashimi. When it comes to that, most people think of a typical choice, such as tuna. However, raw Wahoo is an excellent choice for sashimi and sushi grade. If you haven’t had both, this is a fantastic place to start.

Does Wahoo Fish Taste Fishy?

No, since it has a mild flavor, it does not taste fishy, even when it is new. When cooked, it boasts mild-sweet flesh with a firm structure, excellent fat, and big, circular flakes.

However, when fish and seafood are not handled correctly, they lose their freshness quickly. [1]

Is Wahoo Safe To Eat Raw?

Yes, raw Wahoo flesh is safe to consume. It is very popular in Hawaii, the Pacific, and subtropical areas. In fact, Hawaiians name it ono, which means “good to eat.”

To keep the fresh flavor of wahoo, consume it uncooked after capturing it. A fantastic tasting fish like this might be spoiled if the cook or butcher doesn’t know what he’s doing.

When proper chilling and filleting procedures are followed, frozen wahoo flesh is safe to consume.

However, pregnant women and prospective moms should avoid eating raw wahoo. They should avoid eating any raw or undercooked meals to reduce the danger of infection and germs in raw foods, which might damage their kid.

Is This Fish Healthy?

Yes, the Wahoo fish is nutritious. It is a rich source of protein due to its lean flesh. It is naturally low in saturated fat and salt. One of the many health advantages of wahoo fish is its high omega-3 content, which is beneficial to heart health.

If properly prepared, it may aid the baby’s postnatal neurological development. It is also claimed to contain trace amounts of vitamins C, A, E, and K.

How Do You Eat It?

Wahoo may be eaten in a variety of ways. To begin, you may savor its freshness by eating it raw, like in Sushi and Sashimi. Second, it’s an excellent fish for grilling, smoking, and steaming. It’s also delicious when baked or grilled.

Wahoo is also used in recipes such as tacos, soups, and stews in various regions. It is delicious to eat regardless of how it is cooked.

Does Wahoo Have High Mercury Content? 

Yes, wahoo has a lot of mercury. It is according to their nutrition as well as their age or life span. Fish absorb very little mercury from the water as it passes through their gills. And, being a member of the mackerel family, it will contain a considerable amount of mercury.

The mercury level rises as it matures and eats little fish. [2]

FAQs 

Does wahoo taste like mackerel?

No, wahoo does not have the flavor of mackerel. It is reported to taste like tuna, and when grilled, it has the flavor of chicken. Wahoo is comparable to turkey after been smoked. Wahoo flesh, unlike mackerel meat, has a moderate taste, no strong odor or scent, and is not greasy.

Can you marinate wahoo?

Wahoo may be marinated. The wahoo, like any other fish, is a multipurpose fish. In addition, marinating it in a resealable bag keeps the meat from drying out. Wahoo fish flesh is more subtle and delicate than pig, beef, or chicken meat.

In addition, unlike other meats, it does not need a lengthy marination period so you may have a delectable supper in a short amount of time.

In Summary 

Many folks who like the flavor of other fish meals have mentioned this as one of their favorites. Those who swear they don’t like fish end up preferring wahoos in any form.

Because wahoo prices fluctuate between coastal fisheries and the local fish market today, if supply from commercial fishermen is limited, it tends to be a more costly fish.

We believe the wahoo is an underappreciated fish due to its gentle, fragrant, and delicious flavor.

References:

1. how-avoid-fishy-tasting-fishpreserving-and-preparingextension.umn.eduhttps:
2. mercury.pdf052013fileswichealth.hawaii.govhttps: