Thresher sharks are found in most temperate waters and tropical oceans. They are a common breed of sharks that are part of the Alopiidae family of sharks.
Not all shark species are suitable for consumption, but thresher sharks are widely consumed in some areas of the world. If you want to try a shark for the first time, or you are a big fan of sharks and want one that is succulent and delicious, then the thresher shark is for you.
In this article, you will learn how to prepare a thresher shark, some fun facts about the species, and most importantly, you will learn how to cook it. I hope you find the information in this article useful. Happy cooking!
About Thresher Sharks
Thresher sharks can grow up to over six feet in length. They don’t look quite as intimidating as the great white shark and other shark species due to their small mouth and larger than usual eyes.
They mainly feed on schooling fish, but they eat crabs and shrimps if they cross their path and the opportunity arises. Thresher sharks are not commonly involved in shark attacks, which is largely due to their dietary and hunting habits.
Thresher Shark Recipes
A fresh piece of thresher shark is almost irresistible to shark lovers. I recommend eating shark within three days of it being caught, which means that if you can find some at your local market, then make the most of it and make it for your friends and family.
Some people are wary of eating shark meat, but as long as you prepare and cook the fish correctly, you have nothing to be hesitant about. The following are my favorite thresher shark recipes that even amateur cooks can make in a jiffy!
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Spiced Thresher Shark
Ingredients
- 3 thresher shark steaks
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp black pepper (ground)
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme (finely chopped)
- 1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
Instructions
- Soak the shark steak in milk for at least 30 minutes, and preferably for an hour. The milk will stop the steak from drying out and becoming rubbery and unappealing. This is a very important step that should never be rushed or missed out on.
- Mix all of the ingredients into a bowl. You want the mixture to be relatively thick and look more like a paste than a sauce.
- Slather the paste onto the steak. Cover every part of the steak and make sure you rub the paste into the tip, bottom, and sides of the meat. You can leave the steak to rest in the sauce for 20 minutes if you want to give it an added push.
- Preheat the oven to 330 degrees and put the steak in the oven. Let the steak cook for 20 minutes on each side.
- Once the steak has cooked through, serve it immediately. Do not serve it if you feel that it might be undercooked and needs a little longer. You can always check the core temperature and cook for longer if it is a little underdone.
Grilled Thresher Shark
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 2 lbs fresh shark steak
- 1 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
Instructions
- Soak the shark steak in milk for up to 60 minutes. Try to soak the shark steak for at least 30 minutes, and wash it well beforehand.
- Wash the shark again after it has been soaking in milk for about an hour. This removes impurities and bad odors, as well as keeping the meat soft.
- Pour the lemon juice over the steak along with the vinegar and soy sauce. Make sure that the steak is covered evenly.
- Season the shark with the dry ingredients and leave it to marinate for 30 minutes.
- Grill the steak on high heat for seven to nine minutes. Make sure that the steak is cooked thoroughly before serving.
How to Prepare Thresher Shark
How you prepare thresher shark makes all of the difference to how the meal tastes. Poorly prepared thresher shark may taste ‘off,’ or it may have a funny texture. There is nothing worse than looking forward to a nice shark steak and it turning out to be less than appealing.
The first and most important thing you should do is to wash the steak thoroughly under cold tap water. Rub both sides of the shark steak and remove unappealing parts of the steak.
I highly recommend soaking the thresher shark in milk for an hour before cooking. You should soak the fish in milk before seasoning or oiling. The milk neutralizes any foreign flavors and keeps the steak tasting pure.
You can wash the steak again after it has been soaked to remove the milk. Milky flavors may contrast with how you want to spice the shark, so it is sometimes necessary to remove them before continuing.
Note: Never eat shark steak if you have forgotten to refrigerate it within an hour of purchase. You should also eat it within three days of being caught unless you buy it frozen.
Are Thresher Sharks Endangered?
Thresher sharks are not endangered, but they are considered vulnerable. This just shows how popular they really are, considering they are found in most of the tropical oceans in the world.
It is incredibly important to shop responsibly when purchasing thresher sharks. Make sure that the supplier is fully licensed and holds the relevant permits associated with fishing thresher sharks.
The responsibility to keep our oceans safe lies with us. Most of the illegal fishing that goes on in the world is down to high demands for lower product prices.
Thresher Sharks Fun Facts
Do you want to learn more about thresher sharks? Here is a lighthearted fun facts section about the shark species.
Thresher sharks can either be blue, brown, or grey. You might even find a purplish thresher shark on rare occasions.
These sharks can grow to a maximum of about 20 feet long.
Thresher sharks give birth to live young. Their pregnancies last for about nine months, and they give birth between two to six live young per pregnancy.
Final Thoughts
Thresher sharks are delicious when they are prepared well. I suggest the ‘less is more approach when it comes to seasoning the fish so that strong spices do not overpower the shark’s flavors. Don’t be scared of cooking thresher shark, it isn’t as hard as it sounds, and it sure does taste brilliant!
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FAQ
If you still have some questions that need answering, then this section should resolve them. Here are some frequently asked questions along with their answers for you to use as a reference.
Q: Will thresher sharks attack humans?
A: Thresher sharks will attack humans if they are provoked, but other than that they don’t pose a threat to human lives. In fact, there has only been one reported case of a thresher shark attack on a human, and that was due to the shark being disturbed and provoked.
Q: What animals eat thresher sharks?
A: Whales and larger sharks feed on thresher sharks.
Q: Why can thresher sharks appear in so many different colors?
A: Thresher sharks may be brown, grey, purple, or blue in color. This is because there are a few thresher shark species that look different from one another.
Q: Where are thresher sharks commonly found?
A: Thresher sharks are found all over the world in temperate and tropical water. The northwest Atlantic ocean and the waters surrounding Cuba are highly populated with thresher sharks.
Q: Are thresher sharks shy?
A: Thresher sharks are very shy fish that will avoid humans completely. Thresher sharks are often very difficult to approach and will flee from crowds.
Q: Is it legal to eat thresher sharks?
A: Thresher sharks are legal to eat in the United States, but you should check the rules and regulations in your country before purchasing thresher sharks. Being a responsible consumer and buying legal produce is the first step in stopping poaching.
Have you got any brilliant thresher shark recipes that you can share with us? Tips and tricks for cooking thresher sharks are always welcome and greatly appreciated by the rest of our readers and us!
