Oil, spotted seal (Alaska Native)
Whole food · American Indian/Alaska Native Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
Spotted seal oil is a rich, golden-hued traditional fat rendered from the blubber of the spotted seal, prized by Alaska Native communities. It has a distinct, deep marine flavor with a smooth, oily texture that coats the palate, and is exceptionally calorie-dense, being almost pure fat.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 0% carbs · 100% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its potent, savory umami flavor that defines traditional Arctic cuisine, and its unparalleled ability to provide sustained energy and essential fats in a harsh environment.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The strong, fishy taste can be overwhelming for unaccustomed palates, and its extreme fat content (99g per 100g) makes it very easy to overconsume calories. To enjoy it, use it sparingly as a flavoring oil or condiment rather than a cooking fat, and pair it with lean proteins or fibrous vegetables to balance a meal.
Key benefits
- Extremely high in energy-dense calories for cold climates.
- Primary source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) in traditional diets.
- Provides fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin D and Vitamin A.
- Culturally vital for food preservation and ceremonial use.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The oil was traditionally stored in seal stomachs, which acted as natural, biodegradable containers that kept it fresh through the seasons.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.25 g |
| Energy | 894 kcal |
| Energy | 3740 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 99.3 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 | 2.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1044 ug |
| Retinol | 1044 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 3480 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 6.3 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 | 30.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.70 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 2.1 ug |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 14.7 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 4.9 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 8.8 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.67 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 54.5 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.56 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 11.0 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 21.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 15.0 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 5.8 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.13 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 18.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.95 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.79 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.97 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.20 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.72 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 3.9 g |
| PUFA 21:5 | 0.28 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.16 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 3.4 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 6.5 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
What does spotted seal oil taste like?
It has a strong, pronounced marine flavor, often described as fishy, savory, and rich, with a smooth, oily mouthfeel.
Is it the same as fish oil supplements?
No. While both are rich in omega-3s, seal oil is a whole, traditional food with a distinct cultural context and flavor profile, whereas fish oil supplements are typically refined and flavored for general consumption.
How is it traditionally used?
It's used as a condiment, a dip for other foods, a frying fat for breads like bannock, and a key ingredient in ceremonial dishes.
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 8.94 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.