Frozen whole unclean cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
Whole, uncleaned common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), frozen with its ink and viscera for professional buyers. It is the most versatile format for kitchens and processing plants that clean in-house and want to keep the ink and the full yield of every piece.
- Presentation
- Whole · 1/2 to 5/10
- State
- Frozen
What whole unclean cuttlefish is
Unclean (or “dirty”) cuttlefish is the whole animal as landed: skin on, with the internal shell (cuttlebone), viscera and ink sac still in place. It has not been cleaned or trimmed, so it keeps its full weight and every usable part.
The species is Sepia officinalis, the common cuttlefish and the benchmark species in the European market for its thick, firm flesh and mild flavour. Buyers choose whole frozen cuttlefish when they want to control cleaning themselves, keep the ink for their own preparations or serve the piece whole. If you need a ready-to-cook product, see our frozen cleaned cuttlefish.
Whole cuttlefish sizes: 1/2 to 5/10
Cuttlefish is usually graded in pieces per kilogram. A 1/2 grade means large pieces, one or two per kilo, while 5/10 means smaller pieces, five to ten per kilo. We supply whole unclean cuttlefish across the 1/2 to 5/10 range, so each buyer can match the size to the end use:
- Large grades: for portioning, grilled steaks or processors looking for meat yield.
- Medium and small grades: cuttlefish served whole, grilled or in individual stews.
Exact grading tolerances, packing format and glazing are set to each customer’s specification. Get in touch to agree the grade that best fits your production.
Who buys it: foodservice, distribution and processing
Frozen whole cuttlefish is a working product. It is bought by restaurants and central kitchens that clean in-house, wholesalers supplying the foodservice channel, retail chains selling it loose or packed, and processors using it for ready meals and canned products.
From Vigo, Tunatunes supplies frozen cuttlefish to professional buyers in more than 15 countries, with a controlled cold chain at every stage. The cuttlefish range also includes cuttlefish strips for battering and frying, alongside the rest of our frozen cephalopods: octopus, squid and baby squid.
Storage and thawing
Keep the cuttlefish at −18 °C or below until use and avoid any break in the cold chain. Thaw slowly in a cold room or refrigerator at 0–4 °C, in a container that lets the melt water drain away. Once thawed, it should not be refrozen.
Cleaning is easier while the piece is still slightly chilled: remove the cuttlebone, carefully separate the ink sac if you plan to use it, then remove the viscera and skin.
Uses of whole unclean cuttlefish
- Grilled cuttlefish, whole or as steaks
- Rice dishes and paella using the ink
- Traditional stews with potatoes or peas
- Black rice and squid-ink style sauces
- Cut into pieces for battering and frying
- Raw material for ready-meal processors
Frequently asked questions
What does “unclean” cuttlefish mean?
It is sold whole and uncleaned: skin, cuttlebone, viscera and ink sac are all intact. This format lets you keep the ink and control cleaning in your own kitchen or plant. For a ready-to-cook option, we also supply frozen cleaned cuttlefish.
How do I read the 1/2 or 5/10 sizes?
They generally indicate the number of pieces per kilogram. A 1/2 grade means large pieces, one or two per kilo; 5/10 means small pieces, five to ten per kilo. Specific tolerances are agreed in each order’s specification.
Can the ink be used from frozen whole cuttlefish?
Yes. Because the cuttlefish is whole and uncleaned, the ink sac is still in place. Separate it carefully while cleaning the thawed piece and use it in black rice, sauces or pasta.
What packing format and glazing do you offer?
Packing and glazing are adapted to each customer and each market. Tell us the end use, sales channel and volume through the form on this page or our contact page and we will send you a proposal.
How do I request a quote for frozen whole cuttlefish?
Use the “Request information” button on this page or write to us via our contact page, stating size, approximate volume and destination. Our team in Vigo will reply with availability and terms.
More frozen cephalopods
Need frozen whole unclean cuttlefish for your business? We will prepare an offer with the size, format and volume you work with.
Request a quote
