Guide to Buying Salmon

Salmon is a versatile and delicious fish packed with nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Whether you are grilling, baking, or making sushi, choosing the right salmon is essential for the best flavor and texture. Use this guide to help you select and buy salmon that’s perfect for you and your family.

• How Much Salmon Should You Buy?
• Select a Salmon Recipe and Cooking Method
• What Kind of Salmon Should You Buy?
• Where to Buy Salmon & How Much Should You Expect to Spend

How Much Salmon Should You Buy?

A general guideline is to plan for 6-8 ounces of salmon per person for a main course and 3-4 ounces per person for an appetizer. For more details on seafood quantities, refer to Seafood Serving Sizes for a deeper understanding of how much seafood to buy.

Select a Salmon Recipe and Cooking Method

Finding salmon recipes you enjoy and cooking techniques you're comfortable with will make preparing delicious salmon meals stress-free, impressing your family and guests.

• Salmon Cooking Methods: How you plan to cook the salmon will guide you in choosing the right cut of salmon and a recipe you are comfortable with.
• Grilling: Opt for thicker, firm salmon cuts like fillets, center-cut portions and steaks that can withstand high heat without falling apart.
• Pan searing: Portions work well for pan-searing. They fit nicely in the pan and allow you to get crispy, delicious skin.
• Baking or broiling: All cuts of salmon work well for baking or broiling, and they will remain moist and flavorful.
• Poaching or steaming: Choose thinner cuts that can maintain tenderness and moisture while absorbing delicate flavors.
• Salmon Recipes: Select a recipe you want to make, which will help you decide which type of salmon to purchase and what ingredients you need. 
• Most recipes will work with any type of salmon, but you will have to adjust cooking times based on the cut and the species. Thinner pieces of salmon and salmon with lower fat content, like sockeye, will cook more quickly and are easier to overcook.
• For easy preparation, we love to pan-sear salmon with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, allowing the flavors of salmon to shine through.

Get inspired with a variety of salmon recipes and cooking tips to elevate your next meal!

What Kind of Salmon Should You Buy?

There are several types of salmon available, each with distinct flavor profiles, textures, and colors. These include:

• Atlantic Salmon: Atlantic salmon is the most popular salmon. It is typically available year-round, has a melt-in-your-mouth texture due to a relatively high fat content, and a mild flavor.
• Pacific Salmon: There are several species of Pacific salmon:
• King (Chinook): Rich, fatty, and the most flavorful.
• Sockeye: Deep red flesh, bold flavor, and firm texture.
• Coho (Silver): Mild flavor, leaner, and versatile.
• Pink: The most affordable with a lighter flavor, often used for canned salmon.

For more in-depth information about the different types of salmon, read our Essential Guide to Salmon.

Should I Buy Farmed Salmon or Wild Salmon?

When shopping for salmon, a common question is whether wild-caught or farmed salmon is the better option. Both can be excellent choices, but each has its own unique qualities when it comes to sustainability, health benefits, and flavor. To help you decide, let’s break down the key differences between the two:

• Farmed salmon are raised in controlled environments with carefully managed diets. This results in a higher fat content, giving the fish a richer, buttery flavor. Unlike wild-caught salmon, farmed salmon is available fresh and frozen year-round, making it a convenient option no matter the season. Typically, you can only buy Atlantic salmon farmed because it is endangered in the wild.
• Wild salmon live and migrate in the ocean before returning to freshwater to spawn. Their active lifestyle gives them a leaner texture and a more intense, meaty flavor compared to farmed salmon. Wild salmon may also have slightly higher levels of some nutrients due to their diet. Typically, the Pacific salmon varieties are wild but there are more farmed options becoming available.
• Sustainability: At Fulton Fish Market, both wild and farmed salmon are sourced responsibly from the best-managed fisheries and sustainable producers. Wild salmon from Alaska is sustainably managed through strict regulations that prevent overfishing and protect spawning habitats. Farmed salmon helps to reduce pressure on wild stocks, while recent innovations in aquaculture, such as better diets, reduced antibiotic use, and improved water filtration systems, have made salmon farming more eco-friendly.

Fresh vs. Frozen Salmon

When deciding between fresh and frozen salmon, it depends on your needs and preferences. Most people prefer frozen salmon for its quality preservation, convenience, and affordability.. Here are some key considerations for both options:

Fresh Salmon:

• Fresh salmon tends to be more expensive than frozen due to the shorter shelf life and more complex temperature-controlled shipping and handling.
• Limited availability outside of certain seasons for wild-caught varieties.
• Fresh is a good option if you are looking to prepare the salmon within 1-2 days of purchase and are confident that it was caught or harvested recently.

Frozen Salmon:

• Frozen salmon is typically as good or better than fresh since it’s often flash-frozen right after being caught. However, it is important that you purchase it from a trusted source as there is also a lot of low-quality, frozen salmon on the market.
• Frozen salmon is available year-round and generally more affordable because there is less waste that retailers and suppliers need to account for.
• This is a great option for buying larger quantities of salmon since it can be stored and eaten at a later date.

Refreshed/Previously Frozen Salmon:

• Refreshed salmon is generally less expensive than fresh salmon because it can be stored and transported more easily after freezing.
• Since it's already thawed, refreshed salmon is convenient if you’re looking to cook it within 1 day of purchase.
• Refreshed salmon is typically flash-frozen shortly after being caught, preserving its nutrients, texture, and flavor.

You can read more in our Fresh vs. Frozen Seafood blog.

Where to Buy Salmon & How Much Should You Expect to Spend

Buying Salmon Online

Buying salmon online can be convenient, but it requires careful consideration to ensure you get high-quality fish. Look for well-known vendors with good reviews, a solid reputation for freshness, prioritize sustainability, and offer a satisfaction guarantee.

Buying Salmon In-Person

When buying salmon in person, it’s still important to research the seller and read customer reviews beforehand. At the store, evaluate the freshness of the salmon by checking for firm, vibrant-colored flesh with no discoloration. If you're looking at a whole fish, the eyes should be clear and bright. The salmon should smell like the ocean, not overly fishy. Be mindful of the sell-by dates, and don’t hesitate to ask the fishmonger any questions to ensure you’re getting the best quality salmon.

Buying Salmon from FultonFishMarket.com

At Fulton Fish Market, we scour the globe to find sustainable, Michelin-quality salmon and put it through multiple quality checks to ensure we are only offering the very best salmon to our customers. Here is how to purchase from our selection:

1. Browse our salmon products from the navigation or type “salmon” in the search bar. Click on the product for more information about each cut and species. Then click either “Subscribe” or “Add to Cart.”
   
   
   
   
2. Once you have added all the items to your cart, click the bag icon at the top right corner to review your cart contents. Decide if you want to start a subscription at a cadence you select or if you want a one-time purchase. Then click “Check Out” to begin the easy checkout process.
   
   
3. Enter your shipping address and billing information. You can add promotional codes here. Click “Pay now” to place your order.
   
   
4. You will receive an email confirmation of your order, and you will receive another email with the tracking number once your order has shipped.

Follow these guidelines to be able to confidently buy salmon that meets your needs and preferences. Knowing how to select the best salmon ensures a delicious and satisfying dining experience.

How Much Should You Expect to Spend on Salmon?

The price of salmon can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

• Type of salmon: Wild-caught salmon is generally more expensive than farmed salmon. Among wild-caught varieties, king salmon is often the priciest.
• Size: Larger salmon fillets typically cost more per pound.
• Source: Salmon from certain regions, like the Copper River in Alaska, may have a higher price tag due to demand or reputation.
• Seasonality: Prices can fluctuate based on the season when salmon is most abundant.
• Retailer: Different grocery stores and seafood markets may have varying price points.
• Quality: High-quality salmon will typically have a higher price than lower-quality salmon.
• Supply/Demand: During wild salmon season, when demand is high, you will see it reflected in the price. Catch limits can also impact the pricing, resulting in limited supply and higher prices.

Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8-$100/lb for salmon.

Conclusion

Fulton Fish Market is a top choice for buying salmon, offering exceptional freshness, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. With centuries of expertise, a vast selection of salmon, easy online ordering, and best-in-class support, you can enjoy premium salmon delivered directly to your door.

FAQs

What is the healthiest salmon to buy?

As a general rule, we don’t think you should stress too much about which salmon is the healthiest, and instead, find a salmon that you and your family love to eat. Salmon is a healthy meal choice full of vitamins and omega-3s and low in saturated fats. This study found large variations in omega-3s and saturated fats across species and farms, but they were all plentiful in omega-3s and low in saturated fats. Typically, farmed salmon have higher omega-3s due to their diet, and wild salmon is typically lower in saturated fats due to their activity level.

What salmon should I buy for sushi?

For sushi, it's essential to buy salmon that has been frozen at very low temperatures to kill parasites and ensure safety for raw consumption. Farmed salmon options are typically preferred due to their higher fat content. Always purchase from a trusted fishmonger or retailer to ensure you are receiving sushi-quality seafood.

Is fresh or frozen salmon better?

Whether fresh or frozen salmon is better depends on its journey to your plate, your needs, and how soon you plan to cook it. Frozen salmon is often the better choice for quality and convenience because it's typically flash-frozen right after being caught, preserving its freshness, nutrients, and flavor. This makes it a reliable option, especially if you won’t be cooking it right away. Fresh salmon, on the other hand, can offer a better texture if it’s truly fresh, but it may have had a long journey (14+ days) to the store and then sat at the counter for days. Ultimately, frozen salmon is great for storage and flexibility, while fresh salmon is ideal if it has been handled correctly and you plan to cook it immediately. You also need to read labels closely. A lot of salmon that appears fresh has actually been previously frozen.

Should I buy salmon with the skin on or skin off?

Buying salmon with the skin on is generally recommended, as it helps retain moisture and flavor during cooking. The skin acts as a protective layer, preventing the fish from drying out and making it easier to handle, especially when grilling or pan-searing. Additionally, the skin can become crispy and delicious when cooked properly and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If your recipe specifically calls for skinless salmon or you prefer not to eat the skin, buying it skin off can be a convenient option, or you can remove the skin from the salmon yourself.

When is the best time of the year to buy salmon?

The best time of year to buy salmon depends on what you're looking for.

• Farmed salmon is available year-round, both fresh and frozen, making it a great option for any occasion.
• Wild salmon season in North America typically runs from May to September. During this time, you will often find the prices for fresh wild salmon to be lower than they are during the off-season. However, frozen options are available year-round, allowing for wild-caught salmon to be enjoyed any time of the year.