Ikea is known for its affordable Scandinavian-style furniture but did you know they also sell frozen foods like salmon fillets? Their Sjörapport salmon is a popular choice for many shoppers. But is Ikea salmon actually good quality and worth buying? I decided to take a close look and find out.
An Overview of Ikea’s Sjörapport Salmon
The Sjörapport salmon sold at Ikea comes in individually wrapped 4-ounce fillets that are ASC certified ASC stands for Aquaculture Stewardship Council and means that the salmon was responsibly farmed,
Here are some key facts about this frozen salmon product:
- Sold in 1 pound 2 ounce packages containing 4 fillets
- Individually wrapped fillets for easy use
- ASC certified responsible salmon farming
- Caught in Scandinavian seas
- Frozen at sea shortly after catch to preserve freshness
- No preservatives, additives, or preparation
- Allows natural salmon flavor to come through
The convenience of having salmon fillets ready to defrost and cook is a big draw for many Ikea shoppers. And the ASC certification provides assurance that the salmon meets certain sustainability standards.
But what about the all important questions – how does it taste and is the quality good? I decided to find out for myself.
Testing Ikea’s Sjörapport Salmon Fillet Quality
To assess the quality of this frozen salmon, I purchased a package to cook and taste test. Here is an overview of my testing process:
- Carefully inspected fillets for signs of freezer burn or damage before cooking.
- Defrosted using refrigerator thawing method.
- Cooked using basic pan frying method with light oil and seasoning.
- Evaluated texture, flavor, moisture, and appearance when cooked.
- Compared to fresh salmon fillets purchased from traditional grocery store.
I took care in properly thawing and cooking the salmon to evaluate it fairly against regular fresh salmon. The key aspects I looked at were:
Texture – Good salmon should be tender and flaky when cooked properly. Lower quality salmon can end up rubbery.
Flavor – High quality salmon has a rich, savory salmon flavor. Off or fishy tastes can indicate stale fish.
Moisture – Properly cooked salmon should be moist, not dry or soggy. Excess water loss in cooking correlates to lower quality.
Appearance – Color should be vibrant orange-red when cooked. Discoloration, white fatty deposits and blemishes can indicate poorer quality.
My Verdict After Taste Testing Ikea’s Salmon
Overall I was quite impressed with the quality of the Sjörapport salmon from Ikea. Here are my thoughts on how it measured up:
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Texture – Pleasantly flaky texture with nice moistness. Held up well to pan frying without getting rubbery.
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Flavor – Very clean, pure salmon flavor. No unpleasant fishiness or staleness.
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Moisture – Maintained moisture nicely when cooked. Did not dry out or weep liquid excessively.
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Appearance – Bright, vibrant orange-red color. No unsightly blemishes or fatty discoloration.
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Value – At $5 per fillet it is very competitively priced compared to fresh salmon fillets.
When compared side by side with fresh grocery store salmon fillets, the Ikea salmon was remarkably similar in eating quality. If I had cooked them unmarked, I am not sure I could tell which was which.
The only downside is that the fillet thickness is a bit uneven. One end of the fillet is thicker than the other. This required a bit more attention when pan frying to ensure even cooking. But the flavor and texture were uncompromised.
Why I Think Ikea Salmon Fillets Are a Good Buy
Based on my first-hand testing, I think the Sjörapport salmon sold at Ikea makes for a very smart buy for home cooks. Here are the key reasons why I recommend it:
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Convenience – Having salmon fillets individually wrapped and ready to defrost is extremely convenient and saves prep time.
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Freshness – Frozen at sea means maximum freshness is locked in.
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Responsible Source – ASC certification provides assurance the salmon was responsibly farmed.
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Price – At $5 per fillet the price is quite reasonable and affordable.
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Quality – The eating quality in terms of texture, flavor and appearance is excellent.
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Versatility – The individually frozen fillets can be used in a wide variety of salmon recipes.
The combination of convenience, responsible sourcing, affordability and quality is hard to beat. Ikea seems to have found a winning formula with these salmon fillets.
How to Use Ikea Frozen Salmon Fillets
The individually wrapped 4-ounce portions of the Sjörapport salmon make it easy to defrost and prepare just what you need. Here are some serving ideas:
- Salmon patties or cakes
- Teriyaki glazed salmon
- Lemon garlic salmon
- Salmon tacos or burritos
- Salmon salad sandwiches or wraps
- Baked salmon with dill sauce or pesto
- Salmon fried rice or noodles
- Smoked salmon bagels
- Salmon sushi
- Cajun blackened salmon
The compact fillets also work nicely for meal prepping. You can bake up a batch of fillets on Sunday to add to salads for quick lunches during the week.
Be sure to defrost the fillets properly by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. Don’t defrost at room temperature or in the microwave which can cause texture and moisture issues.
Some Handy Tips for Cooking Ikea Frozen Salmon
To get the best results when cooking the Sjörapport salmon fillets, here are some handy tips:
- Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator before cooking, about 8 hours.
- Pat fillets dry with paper towels before seasoning or cooking.
- Preheat pan or oven well before adding fish. Use a bit of oil or non-stick spray.
- Cook fillets skin-side down first if skin is still on.
- Turn fillets gently with a spatula to prevent breaking.
- Cook to medium doneness, until opaque in center. Avoid overcooking.
- Let fillets rest 3-4 minutes after cooking before serving.
Proper thawing, patting dry, and gentle cooking will help keep the fillets moist and tender. Salmon overcooked to well-done will be dry and rubbery.
The Verdict: Ikea Salmon is a Smart Buy
After buying, thawing, cooking and tasting the Sjörapport salmon fillets from Ikea, I am convinced they represent a very smart purchase. The fillets are convenient to use, responsibly sourced, nicely priced and deliver excellent eating quality. I would not hesitate to purchase them regularly as my go-to salmon option. If you love salmon, I suggest giving Ikea’s frozen fillets a try. You won’t be disappointed!
How to get it
You must enable JavaScript to shop on IKEA.comAvailable servicesSJÖRAPPORT
Scandinavias cold seas and responsible fishing and farming define the SJÖRAPPORT series. You can serve this cured salmon on a platter or as a starter, and it will be a hit. You can also serve it with sauce and boiled potatoes.
The curing technique means that salmon is marinated in salt, sugar, dill and a little pepper. All flavors blend together in the tender yet firm meat that can be cut thin.
Defrost and serve cold with various dishes. Great with boiled potatoes and mustard and dill sauce. It’s also great on a buffet with dill and lemon, as a starter, or in a wrap to take with you on a trip.
This product has met the ASCs global standard for responsibly farmed seafood.
Freezing shortly after catch preserves the taste, nutritional value and quality.
At Christmas, Easter and Midsummer, cured salmon is a must on Swedish dining tables. Without salmon, there would be no real Swedish celebration. But people also eat this popular fish every day.
Net weight: 7.1 oz
- SJÖRAPPORTCured salmonArticle Number903. 605. 83Width: 7 ½ “Height: ½ “Length: 10 ¾ “Weight: 8 ozPackage(s): 1
Is Ikea salmon good?
Does IKEA sell salmon?
All of the salmon Ikea sells comes from fish farms certified by the ASC. According to the ASC ‘s standards, these farms must preserve water resources, prevent farmed fish from escaping the farms (as escaped fish can pose a threat to wild fish) and prioritize animal health by avoiding unnecessary chemicals. So, how does Ikea keep prices so low?
How do you eat IKEA salmon fillets?
Spoon warm lemon dill sauce over each salmon fillet. Salmon fillets are incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. Our favorite way to enjoy IKEA salmon fillet and IKEA LÄCKERGOM lemon and dill sauce is with either root vegetable mash (rotmos in Swedish) or Swedish Hasselback potatoes. Also fantastic are:
Are IKEA salmon balls sustainable?
IKEA’s salmon balls meet the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s global standards for farmed seafood, and they also meet the Marine Stewardship Council’s global standards for sustainability.
How do you cook IKEA salmon fillets?
STEP 1 – Make Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce. STEP 3 – Bake in preheated oven. Salmon fillet — IKEA salmon fillets are conveniently cut into portions that you can bake from frozen or thaw them out ahead of cooking. Otherwise, you can choose to use fresh salmon fillet from your local grocery store, preferable on the day of purchase.