Mullet

What Is Grey Mullet?

Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a fairly large fish with gray-silvery skin and a cylindrical body. It likes to live in lagoons, estuaries, and lakes where fresh and salt water mix; for this reason it is commonly caught in Turkey's lake-sea connected waters.

Its flesh is meaty, moderately oily, and has an earthy taste. Traditional tirit/bottarga (dried fish roe) is made from the roe of the female grey mullet.

Nutritional Value of Grey Mullet

Grey mullet falls into the class of moderately oily fish; 100 g contains approximately 117 kcal of energy, 19.4 g protein, and 3.8 g fat. Its quality protein ratio is high.

What Are the Benefits of Grey Mullet?

With its high protein content, grey mullet is one of the fish that stands out as part of a balanced diet. Its moderate fat ratio offers a meal option that is both filling and not too heavy.

This information is general; grey mullet is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How Is Grey Mullet Selected?

Fresh grey mullet's scales are tight and shiny; its body stands firm when held in the hand.

• The scales should be shiny and tight; shedding-dull scales indicate staleness.
• The eyes should be full and clear; sunken eyes mean it has lost its freshness.
• The belly area should be firm and even; a swollen-soft belly is a sign that freshness has faded.

How Is Grey Mullet Stored?

Cleaned grey mullet stays fresh for 1–2 days on ice in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, once cleaned and washed it can be stored in the freezer for 2–3 months.

Using Grey Mullet in the Kitchen

Grey mullet is usually cooked whole in the oven, on the grill, or in a salt crust; its large body is also suitable for portioning.

How Is Grey Mullet Cleaned?

Its hard scales are carefully scraped off with a fish scaler, the belly is cut open and the innards and gills are removed. Since grey mullet's belly area is a bit oilier than other fish, cleaning should be done carefully.

How Is Baked Grey Mullet Made?

Cleaned grey mullet is rubbed with olive oil, salt, lemon, and thyme and baked at 200°C for 25–30 minutes. Because of its large body, cooking time should be adjusted according to portion size.

Which Recipes Use Grey Mullet?

Baked grey mullet, grilled grey mullet, and salt-crusted grey mullet are the most-loved recipes. Serving it with an olive-oil vegetable garnish is often preferred.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is grey mullet good for?

Grey mullet is one of the fish that stands out as part of a balanced diet with its high protein and moderate fat content. It is a food; it carries no claim to treat any disease.

How long should grey mullet be cooked?

Because of its large body, 25–30 minutes at 200°C in the oven, or 5–6 minutes per side on the grill, is enough.

What is grey mullet roe used for?

The roe of the female grey mullet is salted and dried to prepare traditional tirit/bottarga; it is thinly sliced and served with olive oil as a meze.

Are grey mullet and gilt-head bream the same fish?

No, they are different species. Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a lagoon-estuary fish, while gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) is a separate species common in open-sea and farmed fishing.

Can grey mullet be frozen?

Yes, once cleaned and washed it can be stored in an airtight package in the freezer for 2–3 months.