Fish, herring, Pacific, flesh, air-dried, packed in oil (Alaska Native)
Whole food · American Indian/Alaska Native Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is Pacific herring that has been air-dried to a leathery, jerky-like texture and then packed in oil, creating a deeply savory, umami-rich snack. The flesh is firm, chewy, and intensely flavored, with the oil adding a rich mouthfeel. It's a nutritional powerhouse, delivering a massive 44.5g of protein per 100g with zero carbs.
Calorie split: 36% protein · 0% carbs · 64% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its concentrated, savory flavor that's both smoky and briny, perfect for a quick protein boost. It holds deep cultural significance for Alaska Native communities as a traditional, nutrient-dense survival food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The intense saltiness and strong fish flavor can be overpowering for some palates. Those monitoring sodium intake should be cautious; rinsing the pieces or pairing with unsalted, hydrating foods like cucumber can help. As a fish product, it is a common allergen.
Key benefits
- Exceptionally high in complete protein for muscle maintenance.
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) for heart and brain health.
- Good source of vitamin D and B12, crucial for energy and nerve function.
- Provides essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus.
- Shelf-stable and portable due to the drying and oil-packing process.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The traditional method of air-drying herring involves hanging the fish on wooden racks in cold, dry wind, a preservation technique used for centuries that concentrates nutrients without cooking.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 18.2 g |
| Energy | 489 kcal |
| Energy | 2048 kj |
| Protein | 44.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 34.6 g |
| Ash | 2.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Phosphorus, P | 684 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 2.2 mg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1300 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Fish, halibut, raw, with skin (Alaska Native) — USDA does not publish this profile for Fish.
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.73 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.38 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.23 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.59 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.11 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.91 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 21:5 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.39 g |
| Cholesterol | 72.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Fish, halibut, raw, with skin (Alaska Native) — USDA does not publish this profile for Fish.
| Tryptophan | 0.31 g |
| Threonine | 0.95 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.94 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.8 g |
| Methionine | 0.80 g |
| Cystine | 0.35 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.82 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.70 g |
| Valine | 1.0 g |
| Arginine | 1.2 g |
| Histidine | 0.50 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.8 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.93 g |
| Proline | 0.73 g |
| Serine | 0.91 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.18 g |
FAQ
What does it taste like?
It has a very strong, savory, and salty fish flavor with a chewy, jerky-like texture. The packing oil adds richness and helps mellow the intensity slightly.
How is it different from regular canned herring?
This is air-dried first, which removes most moisture and concentrates the flavor and nutrients, making it much chewier and more potent than herring packed directly in oil or sauce.
Is it high in mercury?
Pacific herring is generally considered a lower-mercury fish. However, as with any seafood, moderation is key, especially for pregnant women and young children.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.89 kcal/g · 36% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.