Mindanao-Inspired Grilled Tuna Panga with Spicy Tamarind Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A hearty grilled tuna jaw marinated in zesty spices and served with a tangy, spicy tamarind dipping sauce that highlights Mindanao’s coastal flavors. This Filipino-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs tuna panga (tuna jaw), calamansi juice, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 pieces (about 1.5 pounds total) tuna panga (tuna jaw)
1/4 cup calamansi juice
4, minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp, grated ginger
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp tamarind paste
1/4 cup water
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tbsp honey
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup calamansi juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Stir well.
Step 2: Add 2 pieces of tuna panga (tuna jaw) to the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the tamarind sauce by whisking together 2 tablespoons tamarind paste, 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon chili flakes, 1 tablespoon honey, and salt to taste in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated tuna panga for about 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred.
Step 5: Serve the grilled tuna panga hot with the spicy tamarind sauce on the side for dipping.