I went to Trader Joe’s today to buy cheap wine, but while I was there I looked through their frozen seafood section. I came across a neat-looking item: king salmon already seasoned on a cedar plank. I was just talking about king salmon with a co-worker of mine who is from Alaska. I don’t recall ever having king salmon and I’m just too cash strapped to buy it online. The wild-caught salmon I usually see here in New England is frozen or previously frozen sockeye and coho. It stood out from the pack, and I grabbed it on impulse.
Trader Joe’s is beloved for its selection of convenient, affordable grocery items, especially in the frozen food aisle. One particularly popular product is Trader Joe’s frozen salmon fillets, prized for their high quality at a budget-friendly price point. But many home chefs wonder – is Trader Joe’s salmon previously frozen before arriving in stores? Let’s take a close look at how these salmon fillets are sourced and processed.
Why Pre-Frozen Fish Can Be Advantageous
Pre-freezing fish is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, when done properly soon after catch, pre-freezing salmon has several advantages:
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Flash freezing locks in freshness and flavor immediately after catch.
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Texture and moisture content are preserved instead of degrading during shipping on ice.
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Nutrient loss is minimized compared to fresh fish transported long distances.
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Parasites are killed through freezing temperatures, improving safety for raw consumption.
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Frozen-at-sea fish is more sustainable, extending shelf life to reduce waste.
So despite the notion that frozen is inferior to fresh, pre-freezing helps maximize quality, safety and sustainability in fish like salmon
Trader Joe’s Salmon Fillets are Frozen-at-Sea
According to a Trader Joe’s podcast, their Alaskan salmon fillets undergo a special freezing process:
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They are frozen once at sea immediately after being caught.
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No thawing, cutting, or refreezing takes place prior to reaching grocery stores.
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This “frozen-at-sea” technique locks in freshness and prevents quality loss.
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Trader Joe’s was one of the first retailers to sell exclusively frozen-at-sea salmon in the US.
So while Trader Joe’s salmon is previously frozen, it’s frozen rapidly on the fishing boats in a single round to optimize freshness and quality retention.
Benefits of Trader Joe’s Frozen-at-Sea Salmon
Trader Joe’s unique freezing process provides several advantages over salmon frozen conventionally:
Freshness – Frozen-at-sea prevents any time for the salmon to degrade post-catch before freezing.
Texture – No thawing and refreezing maintains the firm, tender texture of fresh fish.
Flavor – Quick freezing preserves the delicate, buttery salmon flavor.
Nutrition – Minimal time from catch to freeze retains nutrients that degrade over time.
Safety – Freezing kills parasites, making the salmon safe for applications like sushi.
Sustainability – Extending shelf life reduces waste and overfishing pressure.
Price – Efficient processing translates into lower costs for shoppers.
Tips for Selecting and Cooking Trader Joe’s Salmon
To pick the best frozen salmon fillets at Trader Joe’s and cook them properly:
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Look for solid, vacuum-sealed packaging with no signs of freezer burn.
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Opt for wild-caught varieties like sockeye and king for better flavor and texture.
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Thaw overnight in the fridge instead of the microwave to prevent moisture loss.
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Cook gently using methods like steaming, poaching or baking en papillote.
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Take care not to overcook; salmon is delicately flavored and becomes dry if overcooked.
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Add fresh herbs, citrus, spices or glazes to boost flavor without overwhelming the salmon.
Is Previously Frozen Salmon Worth Buying?
Thanks to advances in flash freezing technology, frozen salmon can actually deliver superior quality, freshness, nutrition and convenience compared to so-called “fresh” fish. Trader Joe’s frozen-at-sea salmon is affordably priced while offering a premium level of quality rarely found in grocery store seafood. Their exclusive freezing process preserves texture and nutrients better than conventional freezing techniques.
So while technically previously frozen, Trader Joe’s salmon undergoes a specialized quick freeze process that locks in flavor and freshness just like the day it was caught. Far from a compromise, this frozen-at-sea salmon offers convenience without sacrificing the delicious mild flavor, velvety texture and nutritional richness that makes salmon so prized.
Trader Joe’s Packaging and Price
I don’t shop at Trader Joe’s that much, but I usually like what I get. However, many of their items tend to be on the small side. Instead, they serve cedar-planked salmon that is over 1 pound in size, which goes against the trend. They went for 10. $9.99 a pound, which was a little pricey for dinner but the same as if I had grilled a small steak.
I really liked that it came with a cedar plank that was already wet and could be cooked in the oven. It can also be cooked from frozen, which I is how I will be doing it. One worry was that this would make my house smell like smoke and that the fish wouldn’t be done when cooked from frozen.
Although the salmon was frozen, you could tell it was a nice-looking piece of fish. Trader Joe’s is famous for not revealing their suppliers, including their seafood. I couldn’t help but buy two, and I knew my mother-in-law would get a surprise gift later, even before I put them in the oven. The seasoning as stated on the label was not much more than salt, pepper and thyme.
Trader Joe’s Salmon vs. “Sushi-Grade”: Is It Worth the Splurge?
FAQ
Is fresh salmon previously frozen?
Is Trader Joe’s salmon wild caught?
Where does Trader Joe’s salmon come from?
Is salmon from the grocery store flash-frozen?
Does Trader Joe’s sell frozen salmon?
This process is known as “once-frozen” in the fish world. And, while it may be found elsewhere now, Trader Joe’s was once the only grocery retailer in the U.S. that sold it. According to a Trader Joe’s podcast about their frozen foods, the salmon you find is wild Alaskan salmon.
What is Trader Joe’s Atlantic salmon with lemon butter?
Product Name: Trader Joe’s Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter Product Description: Trader Joe’s Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter is new and worth looking into for a quick single serve meal. Trader Joe’s Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter is new in the frozen section
What kind of salmon does Trader Joe’s eat?
According to a Trader Joe’s podcast about their frozen foods, the salmon you find is wild Alaskan salmon. But what’s so special about that?
Does Trader Joe’s have Wild Alaskan salmon?
According to a Trader Joe’s podcast from March 2019 on the topic of their frozen foods selection, the salmon you find in those waist-high freezer bins is wild Alaskan salmon. But what’s so special about that?