5 Ways to Tell If Tuna Is Fresh

Check the eyes Clear, bright, and bulging eyes mean fresh tuna. Cloudy or sunken eyes mean it has been sitting too long.

Examine the flesh color The cut flesh should be deep ruby red, not brown or muddy. The bloodline (the dark strip) should be a clean maroon, not grayish.

Test the texture Press the flesh gently. It should bounce back immediately and not hold a dent.

Smell it Fresh tuna smells like the ocean, not like “fish.” If it smells fishy, it is old.

Look at the gills and skin Red gills, shiny skin, and intact scales are good signs, but eyes and flesh are the fastest shortcuts to judge freshness.