Chances are, you’ve heard about the benefits of salmon. It’s on the Amos Institute’s list of SMASH fish, which stands for salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring. These are fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation, and low in mercury. Salmon has extensive benefits that range from the cellular to tissue to organ to whole system levels. At the smallest cellular level, the omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon support healthy cellular membranes. In terms of a larger picture, the Mediterranean diet, which includes a lot of fish like salmon, is the best way to stay healthy and live a long time. The point is, there are so many reasons to include salmon into your nutrition regimen.
The issue is, the health benefits of salmon only apply to wild caught salmon. Much of the salmon available to us at the grocery store is farmed. Wild caught salmon is just what it sounds like: salmon that is caught in its wild, natural environment. Instead, farmed salmon comes from fish farms, which are places where a lot of fish are raised for people to eat. The issue is the very high levels of toxins in farmed salmon, which not only void the health benefits of salmon but also add to our toxic body load. Farmed salmon is high in contaminants such as PCBs, dioxins, and PBDEs, among other endocrine disrupting toxins (1,2,3). The research connecting our body’s toxic burden to the chronic diseases of aging continues to flourish.
Still, we should only eat salmon that was caught in the wild so that we don’t hurt our bodies more than help them. Around here at the Amos Institute, we’re always looking for wild-caught fish options. Recently, one of our board members was at his local Trader Joe’s and saw a bunch of salmon in the frozen fish section. He was most interested in Trader Joes Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fillets and Natural Wild Salmon Silver Coho Salmon Portions because they had the word “wild” in them. He asked a worker if either of these choices was wild-caught because they both said “wild,” but neither said “wild caught.” He was interested and knew that labels could be confusing. The worker told the manager about it, and the manager looked up the two kinds of salmon in their system. However, he found that neither of them said “wild-caught.” The manager was kind enough to point us in the direction of the Trader Joe’s corporate office, which is who we called about the wild caught problem.
We were happy to hear that Trader Joe’s corporate office got back to us right away and confirmed that both the Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon fillets and the Natural Wild Salmon Silver Coho Salmon Portions are indeed wild caught. Lastly, I should say that they are very cheap compared to most wild-caught salmon. This makes eating healthy food more accessible to smart and knowledgeable shoppers.
Why is this news, you might ask? Well, for one, labeling matters. If you’re not sure if something is what you think it is, ask! If you don’t get an answer, keep looking until you do. You are responsible for your own health. We also wanted to share this story to thank Trader Joe’s for having a cheap option for wild caught salmon and for having great customer service. We really appreciate it. It’s for reasons like this that we at the Amos Institute recommend lots of great Trader Joe’s products!.
Salmon is prized for its rich, fatty texture that makes it a delicious option for sashimi and other raw preparations However, not all salmon can be eaten raw Freezing at ultra-low temperatures is required to kill any parasites that may be present. Trader Joe’s sells packages of frozen wild salmon fillets specifically labeled as safe for raw consumption. But is Trader Joe’s salmon truly safe to eat raw? Let’s take a detailed look at how to select and enjoy raw salmon from Trader Joe’s.
An Overview of Raw Salmon
Eating high-quality sashimi-grade salmon raw provides certain benefits
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Raw salmon has a lush, velvety texture and delicate, fresh flavor. Cooking can dry out and dull the taste.
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Raw preparation preserves nutrients like omega-3s, B vitamins and antioxidants that can be diminished by cooking.
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Pairing crisp raw salmon with savory sauces and garnishes makes for elegant appetizers.
However, raw salmon also carries risks:
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Raw salmon may contain parasitic worms that can lead to foodborne illnesses like anisakiasis.
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Bacterial contamination is also a possibility if the raw fish isn’t stored and handled properly.
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Not all salmon is suitable for raw consumption. High-quality processing is required to make raw salmon safe to eat.
Selecting Raw Salmon from Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s simplifies the process of finding raw-ready salmon. Here’s what to look for:
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Frozen-at-Sea Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets – Trader Joe’s carries several types of wild-caught Alaskan salmon labeled specifically for raw consumption. This ensures the salmon has been frozen solid at sea to kill parasites.
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Firmer Texture – Opt for fattier salmon like sockeye or king which will have a supple, lush mouthfeel when raw. Leaner Atlantic salmon tends to be too soft when raw.
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Deep Red Flesh – Look for rich, deep red fillets with no brown spots which indicate oxidation.
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Proper Packaging – Select fillets that are vacuum sealed with no signs of freezer burn or exposure to air.
Evaluating the Safety of Trader Joe’s Raw Salmon
There are a few key safety considerations with raw seafood like salmon:
Parasites – Salmon can contain parasitic worms that lead to foodborne illness when consumed raw. Trader Joe’s salmon labeled for raw consumption has been frozen solid to kill any parasites present.
Bacteria – Proper food safety is critical with raw fish. Trader Joe’s must adhere to seafood processing standards to control bacterial growth.
Mercury – Salmon accumulates less mercury than larger fish. Trader Joe’s offers low-mercury wild-caught options.
Freshness – Salmon flesh starts decomposing quickly after death. Frozen-at-sea salmon like that sold at Trader Joe’s is processed for freshness.
Additives – No chemicals, colorings or preservatives should be present in raw salmon. Trader Joe’s salmon contains only single-ingredient, wild-caught fish.
Based on these criteria, Trader Joe’s raw salmon appears to be quite safe due to the stringent processing standards required for sushi-grade seafood.
Enjoying Trader Joe’s Salmon Raw at Home
Here are some tips for incorporating Trader Joe’s raw salmon into your diet:
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Defrost properly – Thaw frozen fillets overnight in the fridge. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
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Slice thinly – Cut thinly across the grain for tender, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi.
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Marinate briefly – A quick marinade adds flavor but too long can make the texture mushy.
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Chill plates – Serve sashimi on chilled plates. Room temp fish warms too quickly.
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Eat fresh – Prepare sashimi just before serving. Leftovers should be cooked.
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Go easy on soy – A dip in soy sauce overpowers the subtle flavor. Use sparingly.
Health Benefits of Raw Salmon
Here are some of the top health perks of enjoying Trader Joe’s frozen salmon raw:
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Omega-3 fatty acids – Raw salmon is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s that promote heart and brain health. Cooking depletes these beneficial fats.
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High in vitamin D – Raw salmon contains significant vitamin D which supports immune function and bone health.
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Astaxanthin – This antioxidant is found in wild salmon and may help prevent dementia and reduce inflammation when consumed raw.
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B-vitamins – Raw salmon is packed with nutrients like niacin, riboflavin and B12.
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Protein – A 3 ounce serving of raw salmon contains about 17 grams of muscle-building, satisfying protein.
Is Raw Trader Joe’s Salmon Worth Eating?
Trader Joe’s offers high-quality wild salmon fillets that have been specially processed to make them safe and delicious for sashimi, poke bowls and other raw preparations. When properly handled, Trader Joe’s frozen salmon labeled for raw consumption provides the lush texture and mild flavor that makes salmon so prized in Japanese cuisine.
While any raw fish does carry some degree of risk, Trader Joe’s selection of sushi-grade frozen salmon minimizes those risks through rapid processing and freezing. The convenience and confidence of buying ready-to-eat raw salmon fillets makes incorporating the nutritional and flavor benefits of raw salmon into your diet a breeze.
Sushi Guy’s Guide: Trader Joe’s Salmon for Sushi Use
Should I buy Trader Joe’s Salmon?
Trader Joe’s salmon that is fresh and never frozen is a lot easier to cook since you don’t have to worry about defrosting it, but if you don’t cook it soon after you buy it, it won’t stay good very long. I’m always torn between which one to buy.
Is eating salmon everyday good or bad for consumption?
Eating salmon every day could be good or bad depending on the person. Salmon is a fish with a high content of polyunsaturated fats and omega 3 with benefits for cardiovascular health. Therefore, its daily consumption would be healthy in most cases, except if raw salmon or with added salt.
Is Trader Joe’s canned salmon healthy?
This Trader Joe’s Canned Salmon has a really fresh and healthy tasting flavor. The fact that canned wild Alaskan salmon is a really healthy and easy meal is an added bonus. It lasts seemingly forever in your pantry too! The salmon nutrition facts list only 60 calories per serving.
Does Trader Joe’s have frozen salmon?
Read full privacy policy here. Trader Joe’s salmon that is fresh and never frozen is a lot easier to cook since you don’t have to worry about defrosting it, but if you don’t cook it soon after you buy it, it won’t stay good very long.