The Easiest Way To Tell Solid Tuna Apart From Chunk - Tasting Table

"Chunk (or chunk light) tuna will be cut into smaller pieces, appearing as flakes or shreds. When you crack open a can of solid tuna, you'll instead find larger and intact pieces of fish. Given the different sizes of these pieces, you can also expect different textures. For example, chunk tuna will provide a softer and flakier bite, whereas solid options will be firmer and meatier."

"To obtain chunk and solid tuna, the meat is cut into different sizes from the loin. Solid tuna describes a single-cut from the steak, and will usually be packed as one large piece. Meanwhile, the flakes of chunk or chunk light tuna will be processed into smaller pieces, and are often sourced from smaller species. In addition to how the tuna is cut, it might also be cooked differently."

Canned tuna is sold as solid or chunk based on piece size and processing rather than tuna variety. Chunk tuna is cut into smaller flakes or shreds, yielding a softer, flakier texture, while solid tuna is a single large cut from the loin with a firmer, meatier bite. Chunk pieces are often sourced from smaller species and may be cooked twice, whereas solid pieces are usually packed as one large piece. Chunk tuna mixes evenly in creamy salads; solid tuna showcases larger pieces in dishes like pasta salads or casseroles.

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