Oil, beluga, whale (Alaska Native)
Whole food · American Indian/Alaska Native Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
Beluga whale oil, or muktuk oil, is a rich, golden fat rendered from the blubber of the beluga whale, a staple in Alaska Native and Inuit diets. It has a smooth, dense, and slightly oily texture with a deep, savory, and subtly marine flavor. Nutritionally, it is a pure, high-calorie energy source, providing 900 kcal and 100g of fat per 100g, with no protein or carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 0% carbs · 100% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
It is cherished for its rich, umami depth that enhances traditional dishes and its vital role in providing sustained energy and warmth in harsh Arctic environments. Its cultural significance is profound, representing heritage, sustenance, and connection to the sea.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Due to its extreme fat content and caloric density, it should be consumed in moderation, especially by those monitoring fat intake or with cardiovascular concerns. Concrete tips include using it sparingly as a flavoring or cooking fat rather than a main dish, and pairing it with lean proteins and fibrous vegetables to balance a meal.
Key benefits
- Extremely dense calorie source for energy in cold climates
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA
- Contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K
- Traditional source of essential fatty acids in Arctic diets
- High smoke point, suitable for frying and preserving
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The blubber can be up to 50% of the whale's body weight and was historically used not just for food, but as lamp fuel, waterproofing for boats, and even as a form of currency.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.00 g |
| Energy | 900 kcal |
| Energy | 3766 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 100 g |
| Ash | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 0.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.0 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 694 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 2310 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 8.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 228 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 5.7 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 2.0 ug |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 14.5 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.98 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 5.9 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.23 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 6.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.65 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 54.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 1.4 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 20.3 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 19.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 9.6 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 3.5 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 10.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.71 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.47 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.36 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.49 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 2.8 g |
| PUFA 21:5 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.16 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 3.9 g |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Seal, bearded (Oogruk), meat, dried, in oil (Alaska Native) — USDA does not publish this profile for Oil.
| Tryptophan | 0.34 g |
| Threonine | 1.4 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.3 g |
| Leucine | 2.7 g |
| Lysine | 2.9 g |
| Methionine | 0.72 g |
| Cystine | 0.19 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.4 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.92 g |
| Valine | 1.4 g |
| Arginine | 2.0 g |
| Histidine | 1.3 g |
| Alanine | 2.0 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.9 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.7 g |
| Glycine | 1.9 g |
| Proline | 1.6 g |
| Serine | 1.3 g |
FAQ
Is beluga whale oil the same as muktuk?
No. Muktuk is the traditional dish of frozen raw skin and blubber from the whale. The oil is the rendered fat extracted from the blubber layer.
What does it taste like?
It has a strong, savory, and distinctly marine flavor, often described as richer and more intense than fish oil, with a smooth, unctuous mouthfeel.
Is it legal to consume?
Yes, for Alaska Native communities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Commercial trade and harvest are strictly regulated.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 9.00 kcal/g · 0% 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.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.