If you don’t buy fish at Aldi, you’re missing out on seafood that is better than you think. You can find seafood all over the store, in the aisles with canned goods, in the cold food section, and in the frozen food section. Of course, not every fish they sell is worth buying, and some may be an acquired taste. Is it worth it to buy the whole lobster? Should you be brave and try the jarred or canned herring? What about frozen sushi? Does the frozen shrimp cocktail ring taste good or not? Luckily, we’ve made a list of what to buy and what not to buy from Aldi’s seafood section.
There are some surprising finds at Aldi that may have you rethinking where you buy your seafood. Weve also uncovered several items you probably never knew existed. The fact that this is Aldi means that you may need to remember some of these choices for when they come back on shelves. But at least youll know what to stockpile when it is available. After reading our list, you’ll know which fish to buy at Aldi and which to get from somewhere else.
Do you love sushi poke bowls and other raw fish dishes? If so. you may have wondered – can you eat raw salmon straight from the seafood case at Aldi?
The good news is yes, Aldi does sell salmon that’s suitable for consuming raw. But there are also some varieties that aren’t safe to eat uncooked.
Everything you need to know to eat raw salmon from Aldi without getting sick is in this article:
- The different types of salmon sold at Aldi
- Safety concerns with eating raw fish
- How to choose salmon that’s OK to eat raw
- Delicious recipe ideas to try
- Helpful tips for proper storage and handling
Let’s start by looking at the main types of salmon you’ll find in stock at your local Aldi store.
An Overview of Salmon Options at Aldi
In Aldi’s fish case, you can find a number of different kinds of fresh and frozen salmon. Here are some of the main types:
Atlantic Salmon – This is the most common salmon species sold. Both farm-raised and wild-caught options are available.
Sockeye Salmon – A wild salmon variety with deep red flesh and a robust flavor. It’s leaner than Atlantic salmon.
Coho Salmon: This is another type of wild salmon that is known for being versatile and good for grilling. It has a moderate fat content.
Smoked Salmon – Aldi sells pre-sliced smoked salmon in several flavors like dill, pepper, and traditional.
Frozen Salmon Fillets – Individually frozen raw salmon portions are handy to keep stocked.
Canned Salmon – Canned sockeye and pink salmon provide an affordable and shelf-stable option.
Next, let’s discuss the safety factors to know before eating any raw seafood.
Understanding the Risks of Consuming Raw Fish
Eating high-quality sashimi and sushi from reputable restaurants is generally safe. However, consuming raw fish at home does pose some risks to be aware of:
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Parasites – Raw salmon may contain parasitic worms that can infect humans if consumed alive. Freezing first kills any parasites.
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Bacteria – Harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli can lead to food poisoning. Proper handling prevents bacterial growth.
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Toxins – Fish can contain natural toxins like mercury. Certain individuals are advised to avoid raw seafood due to risks.
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Allergic Reactions – People with fish allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening reaction if they eat raw salmon.
To minimize these risks, it’s import to choose salmon labeled for raw consumption and handle it properly. Let’s look at how to identify which salmon from Aldi is OK to eat uncooked.
Choosing Safe Raw Salmon Varieties at Aldi
Not all salmon sold at Aldi is intended to be eaten raw. Here’s how to select raw-friendly varieties:
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Look for “sushi-grade” or “sashimi-grade” labels – This indicates the salmon was frozen to the proper temperature to kill parasites.
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See if it’s marked “previously frozen” – If the package doesn’t say “sushi-grade,” confirm it was frozen, which makes it safer.
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Avoid anything labeled “lightly smoked” – Light smoking isn’t thorough enough to destroy bacteria or parasites.
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Check with the fishmonger – Ask an employee if a specific salmon is suitable for eating raw. They should know.
Stick to varieties clearly marked for raw consumption and you can enjoy Aldi salmon worry-free in poke bowls, ceviche, and more! Now let’s look at some recipe ideas.
Delicious Ways to Use Raw Salmon from Aldi
Once you’ve selected high-quality raw salmon from Aldi, there are endless tasty ways to use it. Here are just a few recipe ideas to try:
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Poke Bowl – Dice raw salmon and mix with rice, vegetables, avocado, and umami flavors like soy sauce.
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Ceviche – “Cook” diced raw salmon by marinating it in citrus juice and spices for a few hours.
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Tataki – Lightly sear the exterior of salmon then slice thin to serve with ponzu sauce and scallions.
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Salmon Tartare – Finely chop raw salmon and gently mix with olive oil, lemon, shallots, and dill.
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Sashimi – Slice raw salmon super thin and enjoy with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
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Gravlox – Cure raw salmon in salt, sugar, and dill for a Scandinavian style delicacy.
The possibilities are endless for how to serve up raw salmon creatively at home. Finally, let’s go over some storage and handling tips.
Properly Storing and Handling Raw Aldi Salmon
To safely enjoy raw Aldi salmon, be sure to:
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Store it on ice or in the coldest part of your fridge until ready to use.
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Wash hands, prep tools, and surfaces thoroughly before and after handling.
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Slice the salmon just before serving to limit bacterial growth.
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Discard any leftovers after 2-3 days. Don’t freeze previously frozen salmon again.
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Look for any white, opaque coloring as an indication the fish is spoiled.
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Follow any additional storage instructions on the packaging.
With proper care and handling, you can revel in raw salmon from Aldi knowing it’s fresh and safe to eat.
Satisfy Your Cravings Safely
Be aware of risks like parasites, toxins, and bacteria. But with mindful sourcing, storage, prep, and enjoying in moderation, you can satisfy your cravings for sashimi, poke, ceviche, and other raw salmon delights without worries. Just check with your doctor if you have any special health considerations.
So next time you pop into Aldi to grocery shop, feel free to grab some tasty raw salmon to create restaurant-worthy dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen. Enjoy!
Buy: Fresh fish (especially salmon)
You read that correctly. Aldi has fresh fish, and you dont want to miss it. The offerings change, but youre likely to find a range of items from salmon to trout and tilapia. You can even find some that come pre-seasoned, like fresh Atlantic salmon with Mediterranean herbs and fresh tilapia with garlic herbs. Even some folks who live on the coast where they can normally get high-quality fresh seafood have been impressed with the quality of Aldis fresh fish. Fresh salmon is an especially popular choice, and if the quantities available all seem like too much salmon for your purposes, you can always divide it up and freeze it for later.
Aldis fresh fish comes in vacuum-sealed packaging, and it has never been frozen. By vacuum sealing out all the oxygen, the fish stays as fresh and free of bacteria as possible until the expiration date. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture says to keep it in the fridge below 38 degrees Fahrenheit so that the bacteria that causes botulism don’t grow. You can trust the fresh fish from Aldis, even if you live in the middle of nowhere, as long as you keep it cold. If you keep an eye out, Aldi has some great deals on fresh fish that is getting close to its expiration date.
Buy: Canned Deutsche Küche herring fillets
Herring isnt a fish thats very common in U. S. cuisine. So, its understandable if youre a little hesitant to try it. It has a robust, rich flavor that makes it the steak of the sea. Plus, its not overly fishy. Every year for German Week, Aldi puts out all of its great German foods. To find the Deutsche Kuche herring fillets, look in the Aldi Finds section of the store. They come with your choice of three different sauces: curry pineapple sauce, tomato sauce, or mango pepper sauce. We tried them the last time they were stocked and liked them so much that we bought the whole batch the following week—they’re that good.
Just warm them up for about a minute in the microwave and theyre ready to eat. All three come with sweet sauces, which pair perfectly with the umami flavors of the herring. We werent nearly as big a fan of the sweet tomato sauce. However, the other two flavors are surprisingly good. The pineapple and mango in the other two sauces go well with the other tastes, making the whole thing taste great. You might even find yourself eating the sauces by themselves after youve finished the fish.
Can you eat raw salmon from Aldi?
Can you eat smoked salmon at Aldi?
If you buy any of Aldi’s “ready to eat” varieties of smoked salmon, then you won’t have to do anything other than open the package and enjoy. But if you decide to purchase Ducktrap’s Lightly Smoked Salmon Filets from Aldi, then you will have to either bake, grill, or pan fry your salmon before eating it.
Can you get sick from eating raw salmon?
Yes, eating raw salmon can pose health risks due to the potential for parasites and harmful bacteria. Raw salmon may harbor bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. Some of these occur naturally in the
Can you eat salmon raw?
Cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145 ° F (63 ° C) kills bacteria and parasites, but if you eat the fish raw, you run the risk of contracting an infection ( 1, 2 ). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists salmon as a known source of parasites, which are organisms that live on or in other organisms —including humans ( 1 ).
Can you eat cooked salmon?
Cooked salmon is far too hot. Undercooked salmon is a frickin’ breeding ground where every bite turns into a game of toilet-bowl roulette for future you. It’s best to avoid eating it. Who CAN’T eat raw salmon?