José Gourmet tuna fillets in olive oil. Portuguese canned tuna with whole fillet pieces – juicy, firm, with only olive oil and salt.

José Gourmet tuna fillets in olive oil is a Portuguese tinned fish product: tuna fillets from the Atlantic and Southeast Pacific, preserved in olive oil and salted, 120g tin. No shredded tuna in brine, no spice blends – fillet pieces that you can pull apart with a fork.

Tuna fillets in olive oil from José Gourmet are called "Filetes de Atum em Azeite" in Portuguese. The difference to standard canned tuna lies in the word fillet: instead of small pieces, the tin contains cohesive fillet pieces. In Portugal, olive oil is the classic preserving liquid for tuna. It keeps the fish juicy and absorbs its flavor. Therefore, the oil in the tin itself is an ingredient and should be served on the plate. Imagine a warm evening on the balcony. On the table, there is a plate of tomatoes, a piece of bread, and an opened tin of tuna that everyone helps themselves to.

Taste

The tuna fillet is juicy and firm, with a texture that can be broken into flakes with a fork. The taste is well-rounded and mild yet savory, carried by the olive oil that softly envelops the fish. The salt enhances the natural flavor; there are no other spices in the tin. This keeps the focus squarely on the tuna.

Compared to tuna in water or sunflower oil, the fillet in olive oil feels fuller and juicier. Anyone who only knows tuna as a dry salad topping will notice the difference with the very first bite. For spreads and dips, the creamy tuna mousse is the better choice, as the fillet plays to its strength as a whole piece.

Usage

The fillet is best enjoyed on its own. On a plate with tomatoes, olives, and a little onion, accompanied by some good bread, with the oil from the tin drizzled over it. For a salade Niçoise, place it over green beans, potatoes, egg, and olives. On toasted bread with capers and lemon, it makes for a quick snack.

Luís Baena, who writes the recipes for José Gourmet, highlights two directions. One is down-to-earth: pasta with tuna and scrambled eggs, which he calls "Massatovas." The other is the Italian classic Vitello tonnato—cold roast veal with a sauce made from tuna, capers, and mayonnaise.

For quick pasta, warm up some garlic in the oil from the tin and add cherry tomatoes and capers. Fold the tuna in only at the end in coarse chunks. This keeps it juicy and helps it retain its shape. One tin is enough for two servings.

Our tip: Mix the fillet with white beans, red onion, parsley, and a splash of lemon. This is a salad that even tastes great the next day at the office.

Origin

According to the manufacturer, the tuna comes from the eastern and western Atlantic as well as the Southeast Pacific. José Gourmet is a Portuguese brand owned by the company 100MISTERIOS, Lda. They state that they choose artisanal products and value maintaining the natural integrity of high-quality ingredients.

The illustration on this tin is by Yara Kono. Each variety features an image by a Portuguese artist, and together they form a family of images consisting of around 55 names. Regarding the tuna, Eugénio Roda writes a small fable on their website: the tuna organized a swimming race and are still looking for the finish line to this day. The packaging made from recycled materials is intended to endure as a collector's item.

For whom

The tuna fillets in olive oil are for everyone who enjoys eating tuna and wants whole fillet pieces on their plate instead of crumbs. It belongs in the pantry for salads, pasta, and quick dinners. As a gift, the illustrated tin is a thoughtful treat for people who enjoy cooking. You can find more tinned fish on our José Gourmet page. The tin contains fish.

The fillet is not suitable for long-simmered stews or casseroles. Intense heat will cause it to dry out and lose its structure.

Tuna fillet, olive oil, salt – the Portuguese canned tuna for salads, pasta, and a plate with bread.