How to Buy Salmon at the Grocery Store

Wild, farmed, Pacific, Atlantic—with so many options, understanding how to purchase salmon can be disruptive. This guide volition help y'all figure out exactly what to look for.

Not sure how to buy salmon? That's totally understandable. It's not as simple as buying strawberries, where you merely accept to choose from organic or conventional, fresh or frozen. At that place are different species of salmon, with different sizes, colors and flavour profiles. Salmon are also raised in different ways that can be ameliorate or worse for your health, the environment and the sustainability of the species.

To help you brand the best choice, nosotros've put together a thorough guide to how to buy salmon.

Different Cuts of Salmon

The get-go key to buying a succulent slice of salmon is knowing which cut to purchase. The cooking method you want to use and the recipe y'all're preparing should guide your choice. Here are your options:

Salmon steaks

This thick, crosswise cut of a larger fish includes both sides of the salmon and has a round os (the salmon's backbone) in the eye. It holds upwardly well to grilling, but can besides be pan-fried or broiled, like in this Lemon-Garlic Salmon recipe. Check out some of our favorite grilled salmon recipes.

Side of salmon

The side is the office between the caput and the tail. Basically, it's a fillet that weighs several pounds. When you buy a side of salmon, it may contain scales, belly basic and pin bones, all of which you should remove earlier eating. Better yet, enquire the person working at the seafood counter to remove them at the store.

Salmon fillets

A fillet is what you're most likely to buy at the store or be served in a restaurant. It'southward a smaller portion of a side of salmon. The side has five parts: top loin, loin, belly, second cut and tail. Each has a dissimilar shape and fat content that makes it ideally suited for sure preparations, from sashimi to pan searing.

Whole salmon

A whole salmon is just what information technology sounds like: both sides of the fish, including the caput, tail, scales and bones. You can broil a whole salmon, or suspension it downward and melt each part in a specific way.

What to Look for in Salmon

Now that you know what the unlike cuts of salmon are, it's time to acquire how to choose high-quality fish. Here's what to await for:

Colour

Salmon volition be light pinkish to cherry-red, depending on the species. The colour should exist vibrant, with no darkening around the edges.

Smell

Salmon should olfactory property like the ocean—similar a overnice day at the beach. Information technology should not smell fishy or off-putting.

Texture

Salmon flesh should be business firm and, if not frozen or previously frozen, shiny. A whole fish should accept bright, clear, protruding eyes.

Packaging

If you're purchasing still-frozen salmon, brand sure the package has no ice crystals, frost, discoloration or liquid. If you're purchasing previously frozen "fresh" salmon from the refrigerator case, make certain it is tightly sealed, wrapped or vacuum packed.

Sourcing of Salmon

When you're shopping for salmon, the labeling should tell you where information technology was raised or caught, where it was processed and whether it was subcontract-raised or wild-caught. For case, you lot might run into something similar "wild-caught Alaskan salmon, product of People's republic of china." Information technology's mutual practice to send fish overseas for processing because the labor is cheaper.

Should I Purchase Farmed or Wild Salmon?

If you're wondering whether to by farmed or wild salmon, you probably have two concerns: sustainability and nutrition. Both farmed and wild salmon can be produced sustainably or unsustainably in ways that are good, bad or neutral for both fish populations and the broader environs. And both have nutritional benefits and drawbacks.

Environmentally Sustainable Salmon

Farmed salmon can be raised sustainably in indoor recirculating tanks with wastewater treatment, or unsustainably in indoor recirculating tanks without wastewater treatment. Salmon can likewise exist farmed in the ocean, but open up-ocean salmon farms tin threaten wild salmon populations and cause larger environmental problems.

Wild salmon tin can be caught in a variety of ways, but knowing the fishing method alone is usually not plenty to tell you if a detail salmon is a sustainable choice. For case, some types of troll-caught salmon, which are caught in the sea one at a time with a hook and line, are sustainable, and others are not. No matter how it is defenseless, sustainable wild salmon comes from fish populations that are not endangered.

The distinction between farmed and wild also matters when yous're choosing Atlantic vs. Pacific salmon. If you're buying Atlantic salmon, it should be farmed. Wild Atlantic salmon have been overfished, and at to the lowest degree i species is endangered.

What about Pacific salmon? Many types are protected nether the Endangered Species Act because their populations accept been diminished by habitat destruction and hydroelectric dams. Yet, Pacific salmon may be wild or farmed, and wild stocks may be supplemented with young fish from hatcheries to keep populations up.

When you lot're at the store, a simple shortcut is to wait for salmon that is Marine Stewardship Council Certified. MSC certification tells you the salmon was produced sustainably. Another source to check is the Monterey Bay Aquarium'due south Seafood Sentry Guide. It gives salmon best, certified, good and avoid ratings to help consumers make sustainable choices.

Nutrition of Wild vs Farmed Salmon

Wild and farmed salmon eat different diets that requite them different nutritional profiles. Farmed Atlantic salmon tends to be much higher in fat (and therefore calories). Wild salmon is college in calcium, iron, potassium and zinc. Both are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. And both have healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in addition to less healthy saturated fats.

Wild salmon is never produced with antibiotics and may exist lower in an environmental pollutant called PCBs, so if you tin afford its higher toll and you like the taste, information technology may exist a healthier choice. If you consume salmon in moderation, the potential downsides are non a serious run a risk, health experts say.

What about organic salmon? That's not a real thing in the United States, but a Canadian company called Creative Salmon raises certified organic chinook salmon.

How Much Salmon to Buy per Person

Speaking of nutrition, if you're buying Atlantic salmon, you may desire to buy simply iii to 4 ounces of uncooked salmon per person and round out the meal with grains and veggies.

For leaner cuts of wild salmon or when yous want to indulge, six to eight uncooked ounces is a good serving size. Raw salmon will lose about 25% of its weight later cooking.

Fresh vs Frozen Salmon: Which Is Amend?

Most salmon is frozen shortly after it's caught to preserve its season and quality. If you desire truly fresh salmon, you'll need to eat it locally and in season.

Keep in mind that frozen salmon, like other frozen fish, is non an inferior product. The flash-freezing process locks in the freshness we're all looking for.

Once you lot bring your salmon home, store information technology in the fridge at 40°F or lower for no longer than 2 days earlier cooking it. If information technology'southward already frozen, shop information technology at 0°F or lower and utilize within eight months.

Store cooked salmon in the refrigerator for upwards to four days. Unopened canned salmon will keep in a absurd, dry out place for upward to 5 years.

Types of Salmon

Atlantic Salmon

Too known equally body of water run salmon, kelts or blackness salmon, there are three types of wild Atlantic salmon: North American, European and Baltic. Wild North American salmon are not commercially fished because of their endangered status. If you're buying Atlantic salmon in the United States, wait it to be farmed. This fish has a mild flavour and light pink color. Effort it in ane of our like shooting fish in a barrel salmon recipes.

Pacific Salmon

Pacific salmon live off the west coast of Canada and the northern United States. Male monarch, coho, sockeye, pink and chum are all Pacific salmon. You can find both wild and farmed Pacific salmon at the shop.

King Salmon

Also called chinook salmon, male monarch salmon is the largest of the Pacific salmon. It'southward too the highest in fatty, with a silky texture that'southward good for poaching or smoking.

Sockeye Salmon

Also chosen red salmon, sockeye salmon is stronger in favor and lower in fat than other varieties. You'll find information technology served raw, smoked, canned and in burgers.

Coho Salmon

Also called argent salmon, coho salmon has a mild gustatory modality, delicate texture and medium fat content. Because they're smaller, they're proficient for poaching or roasting whole. Northwestern coho salmon are threatened nether the Endangered Species Act due to commercial overfishing and habitat loss, but several types of wild-caught coho are sustainable. Try it in i of our height salmon recipes.

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon are usually canned. They're lower in fat and best used in salads and salmon cakes. Try it in our Speedy Salmon Patties for a lite meal.

Chum Salmon

Chum or keta salmon are a pop source of salmon roe (caviar). They're lower in fat and good for drying, smoking, grilling or roasting.

Salmon Recipes to Make for Dinner

Salmon and Spud Salad

I headed straight for the kitchen when I decided to option up a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices tin be unproblematic and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario

You'll want to "reel in" our healthy salmon recipes, too.

Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust

Impress everyone at your table with this elegant but piece of cake salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if you like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York

Larn all nearly how to buy salmon.

Garlic & Herb Artichoke Salmon

If you lot're new to cooking fish (or even if you lot're a pro), this no-fail salmon recipe is one you have to try. Information technology'south like shooting fish in a barrel enough for everyday, just too wows at dinner parties. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington

Salmon with Flossy Dill Sauce

There'south nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it only correct and then information technology nearly melts in your oral cavity. The sour cream dill sauce is subtly seasoned with horseradish so that it doesn't overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington (Here are more baked salmon recipes to try!)

Salmon Sweet Potato Soup

I created this recipe equally a healthier culling to whitefish chowder, which is a favorite in the expanse where I grew up. The salmon and sugariness potatoes boost the nutrition and the slow cooker makes information technology more convenient. It's especially comforting on a cold autumn or winter solar day! —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

Ginger-Glazed Grilled Salmon

Our family loves salmon prepared this fashion, and it'south a real treat to make on a warm summer evening. These fillets may be baked in the oven at 450 degrees for 18 minutes, basting occasionally. —Wanda Toews, Cromer, Manitoba

Cheque out these other grilled salmon recipes.

Ginger Salmon with Green Beans

I developed this flavor-packed dinner for a decorated friend who wants to eat clean. —Nicole Stevens, Austin, Texas

Salmon with Dill Sauce & Lemon Risotto

I love the archetype combination of lemon and fish, and this dish is delicious and piece of cake to throw together at the end of a long day. —Amanda Reed, Nashville, Tennessee

Spicy Plum Salmon

I created this sweet and spicy salmon after being challenged to use healthier ingredients. The fresh plum sauce really complements the smoky grilled fish. —Cheryl Hochstettler, Richmond, Texas

Green Curry Salmon with Green Beans

Similar a lot of people here in the cute Pacific Northwest, my boyfriend, Michael, loves to fish. When nosotros have an abundance of fresh salmon on paw, this is one way we melt it. —Amy Paul Maynard, Albany, Oregon

Citrus Salmon en Papillote

This salmon dish is then simple and easy to make yet so delicious, elegant and impressive. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan

Grilled Salmon with Chorizo-Olive Sauce

Every one of the ingredients in this recipe brings a ton of flavor. Both chorizo and salmon cook in a bustle, and garlic and citrus go beautifully with them, too. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Embankment, Florida

Salmon Dill Soup

This is the best soup I take e'er made, according to my husband, who loves salmon so much that he could eat it every mean solar day. It's a treat for both of us, so when I get some, I try to make it a very special dish like this 1. —Hidemi Walsh, Plainfield, Indiana

Hoisin-Pineapple Salmon

My mouth waters when I think of this sweet and tangy glaze. It's a tropical care for at any time of year. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Pistachio Salmon

This simple salmon gets its crunch from a blanket of crushed pistachios, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add steamed veggies and rice and it's dinnertime! —Anthony Oraczewski, Port St. Lucie, FL

Grilled Salmon Wraps

We eat fish on Fridays, so I similar to experiment with different types. I pulled salmon, spinach and avocado from the refrigerator for these wraps. My kids loved them, and I did, likewise! They're succulent, and they comprise all 5 food groups correct in i hand-held repast. —Jennifer Krey, Clarence, New York

Salmon & Spinach Salad with Avocado

We eat a power salad packed with salmon and spinach at to the lowest degree once a calendar week. It's a cinch to make, even after a hard day's piece of work. —Jenny Dawson, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Lemon-Dill Salmon Packets

Grilling in foil is an like shooting fish in a barrel technique I utilise with foods that cook quickly, similar fish, shrimp, seize with teeth-sized meats and fresh veggies. The options are endless—and the cleanup is piece of cake. —A.J. Weinhold, McArthur, California

Citrus Salmon Fillets with Salsa

Have lemony salmon fillets to the next level with a fresh, colorful bootleg salsa. Just add a simple side of rice for a complete dinner. —Tiffany Hartpence, Lander, WY

Caesar Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes & Artichokes

This recipe is my "go to" recipe for quick dinners, family or guests. It's colorful, healthy, piece of cake to prepare and absolutely delicious. The all-time role is it but calls for 5 ingredients! —Mary Hawkes, Prescott, Arizona

Oven-Roasted Salmon

Afterward work, I want a fast meal. Roasted salmon is super tender and has a delicate sweetness. Information technology'due south also an easy wowza for weekend visitor. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Walnut-Crusted Ginger Salmon

For those who aren't wild well-nigh fish, this gingery salmon is a game-changer. Baking on foil makes for extra-piece of cake cleanup. —Becky Walch, Orland, California

Lemon Salmon with Basil

At our house we opt for healthy foods, and this lemony salmon with basil is a knockout in the good-for-you category. We have it with asparagus or zucchini. —Shanna Belz, Prineville, Oregon

Salmon with Mango-Citrus Salsa

My mother would make this for u.s.a. on weeknights in summer—this was the but fashion we would swallow fish. Y'all can brand the salsa a day ahead of time. Merely keep information technology in the refrigerator in a covered container until ready to utilise. —Najmussahar Ahmed, County, Michigan

Salmon with Spinach & White Beans

My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at middle. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee

Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust

Print everyone at your table with this elegant simply piece of cake salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if yous like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York

Jamaican Salmon with Kokosnoot Foam Sauce

Nosotros try to eat salmon a lot considering information technology's then salubrious, and I love thinking of new means to brand it unlike and delicious. This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for visitor. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

Pan-Roasted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes

It sounds basic, but the love apple sauce is so awesome. If you have it, apply white wine instead of chicken broth. I like to serve my salmon with asparagus—roast it aslope the fish. —Swati Sharan, Horseheads, New York

Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime Sauce

Lime with ginger is a favorite flavour philharmonic for me, especially with grilled salmon. Then good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is piece of cake, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Salmon Veggie Packets

I experience the spirit of Julia Child when I make lemon-pepper salmon en papillote (in parchment). It's the commencement French recipe I learned, and the delightful picayune packages are family unit-friendly. —Renee Greene, New York, NY

Salmon Vegetable Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

A compensation of vegetables keeps this salad light on calories, while salmon makes it hearty enough for a meal. It's get a springtime staple at our house. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas

Firecracker Grilled Salmon

Let this sensational salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the gustatory modality buds, this weeknight dish is anything but tedious. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL

Creamy Salmon Linguine

Extra Pesto Grilled Salmon gives this creamy pasta toss a luxurious taste and texture. We love information technology equally is, but you could easily sub in any veggies y'all accept on hand for the broccoli. —Jacob Kitzman, Seattle, Washington

Easy Glazed Salmon

Information technology takes only iv ingredients and a few moments to make this delightful main dish. —Tara Ernspiker, Falling Waters, West Virginia

Mesquite Salmon

Mesquite woods chips give this fish dish a smoky flavor. If using a charcoal grill, add together forest chips directly to the coals. If using a gas grill, wrap the chips in a foil pouch; poke several holes in the pouch and place it on the rock grate. —Jeri Kilpatrick, Hoodsport, Washington

Lemon Basil Salmon

My married man came upward with this easy, foil-bundle recipe for flaky, fork-tender salmon. This recipe is a winner. —Marianne Bauman Modesto, CA

Grilled Salmon with Nectarines

My family liked this recipe and then much one evening that I made it for a potluck the very adjacent day. Everyone raved about it there, too—even people who aren't particularly addicted of fish. —Kerin Benjamin, Citrus Heights, California

Salmon Caesar Salad

This principal class was invented out of a need to serve my family unit a balanced meal when time was limited. Even my immature son loves it! —Ann Bagdonas of Antioch, California

Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon

Pop these protein-packed salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests. —Debra Martin, Belleville, Michigan

Seared Salmon with Balsamic Sauce

A friend gave me this quick and easy approach to salmon. It has a mildly sweet sauce and is such a hit that I've passed it to other fish fans. —Trish Horton, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Garlic Salmon Linguine

The garlic-seasoned master dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve information technology with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona

Spiced Salmon

This succulent, moist fish is very quick and piece of cake to prepare. It gets a footling sweetness from brown sugar, but overall the seasonings are balmy and give this dish broad appeal. It'south a wonderful way to enjoy salubrious salmon.—Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta

Lemony Salmon Patties

Topped with a zippy white sauce, these little patties bake upwardly aureate brown in a muffin pan. They're impressive enough for visitor simply easy enough that I can ready them whatsoever time we like. —Lorice Britt, Severn, North Carolina

Broiled Salmon

I oft brand this very moist and flavorful oven-baked salmon for company because I can have it ready in less than half an hour. This broiled salmon with lemon is well complemented past rice or a light-green vegetable and a tossed salad. —Emily Chaney, Penobscot, Maine

Gingered Honey Salmon

Ginger, garlic powder and green onion alloy nicely in an like shooting fish in a barrel marinade that gives pleasant flavour to salmon. Nosotros also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling craven, simply nosotros've constitute it tastes even meliorate when marinated in the fridge overnight. —Dan Strumberger, Farmington, Minnesota

Nibble-Topped Salmon

Often we catch plenty of our succulent Northwest salmon to ship some to Michigan for my sister to savour. This crisp, lemony recipe is a tasty mode to bask it. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington

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