Food Encyclopedia

mullet

The appellation "mullet" is used to identify many fish that are not mullets at all—such as the highly prized red mullet, which actually belongs to the goatfish family. True mullets belong to the gray mullet family and are commercially available in the United States as striped mullet and silver mullet. These silver-gray, moderate- to high-fat fish range in size from ½ to 4 pounds. They have firm white flesh with a mild, nutlike flavor. Mullet can be found year-round in most South Atlantic and Gulf states, less frequently elsewhere. They may be fried, baked, broiled or poached. See also fish.