Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is the best salmon you can find on the market. TJ’s has a lot of different kinds of food at great prices. I’ve included pictures of some of their wild-caught salmon items below to help you find them on your next trip.
What is the best salmon to buy at Trader Joe’s? Does Trader Joe’s have salmon fillets? Does Trader Joe’s have Alaskan salmon? Where does Trader Joe’s salmon come from? Is Trader Joe’s salmon worth it?
King – “Chinook” Coho-” Silver” Pink -” Humpback” or “Humpies” Chum -” Keto” Sockeye – “Red”
Atlantic salmon, Scottish salmon, and Chilean salmon are some of the names for farmed salmon from Canada, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Norway.
Alaska has some of the cleanest waters in the world where you can catch wild salmon. Bristol Bay, Alaska, is home to the largest sockeye salmon run in the world and one of the most sustainable fisheries in the US.
According to the World Wildlife Federation, Bristol Bay is the most productive salmon ecosystem in North America. This is because all five species of Pacific salmon—sockeye, Chinook, coho, chum, and pink—spawn and raise their young in the Bristol Bay watershed. This supports wildlife like brown bears and eagles as well as human industry and culture. ”.
Salmon in the wild eat mostly shrimp and krill, which contain “astaxanthin,” a reddish-orange chemical that gives the fish its bright “salmon” color. A shrimp-heavy diet is also what makes flamingos pink!.
Because wild-caught seafood is so good, restaurants and seafood companies that sell it will definitely talk about it. They want to show it off. If the package or menu labels it as just “salmon” (or “Atlantic,” “Scottish,” or “Chilean”), it is farmed.
Farmed salmon is kinda farmed in the traditional sense because fish are raised in contained environments. How those environments are managed differs from farm to farm. It is very important to know where your farmed salmon comes from if you like it. Some farms are much better than others. People say that farmed salmon is just as healthy as wild-caught salmon, but a lot of people cringe at their diet.
Wild salmon naturally gets its color from krill and shrimp. To get the same color as wild fish, farmed salmon eats a mix of natural foods (like shrimp), unnatural foods (like kibble and soybeans), and additives (like antibiotics) or “astaxanthin.” There are many opinions on farmed vs. wild, but I won’t get into that here.
To sum it up, I am biased. My husband is a commercial fisherman, and that’s how we live. That’s why I chose “wild-caught.” For me, it’s about the women, men, and families who work hard to catch fresh seafood for us to enjoy. They have to deal with being away from their families and friends, not getting enough sleep, and rough seas. The people behind wild-caught seafood make it special.
Fellow fish wife and photographer Bri Dwyer communicates farmed vs. “If you want to eat seafood for health reasons, you can’t go wrong with salmon.” We explain wild-caught salmon better here. Farmed and wild salmon are both considered lean and nutritious proteins. But to be honest, wild salmon is better if you want a protein source that is 100% natural and doesn’t contain any antibiotics or processed ingredients. ”.
Here’s a close-up comparison of wild vs. farmed fillets from Trader Joe’s so you can see the difference:
Salmon is one of the most popular and healthy fish you can buy. With its rich omega-3 fatty acids and protein content salmon is amazing for everything from easy weeknight meals to elegant dinner parties. For quality salmon at affordable prices, many home cooks turn to Trader Joe’s. But with its high perishability how long does Trader Joe’s fresh salmon actually last?
Proper storage is the key to getting the maximum freshness and shelf life out of your Trader Joe’s salmon. In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to storing different types of Trader Joe’s salmon, how to tell when it’s gone bad, freezing tips, and more
Overview of Trader Joe’s Fresh Salmon Options
Here are some of the main fresh salmon products you’ll find at Trader Joe’s:
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Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon: Lean, deep red fillets from wild-caught Alaskan salmon.
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Wild Alaskan Coho Salmon: Bright orange fillets from smaller wild Pacific salmon.
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Fresh Atlantic Salmon: Classic pink-orange farmed salmon fillets.
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Smoked Salmon Slices: Fully cooked, thin slices of cold-smoked salmon.
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Nova Lox Salmon: Brined then cold-smoked Atlantic salmon with tender texture.
No matter the type, proper refrigeration is key for raw salmon, while smoked salmon lasts longer.
How Long Does Raw Trader Joe’s Salmon Last Refrigerated?
For raw salmon fillets like the Wild Alaskan and Fresh Atlantic options, follow these fridge storage timelines:
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Unopened: 5 to 7 days from the printed sell-by date.
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Opened: 2 to 3 days.
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Pre-portioned: 1 to 2 days.
Raw salmon is prone to spoilage from bacterial growth. Keep it as cold as possible, at 40°F or below. Raw salmon may last a day or two longer if kept continuously chilled. But it’s best to cook or freeze it within 3 days of purchasing.
Does Packaging Impact Trader Joe’s Salmon’s Shelf Life?
Yes, the type of packaging makes a difference in how long Trader Joe’s raw salmon stays fresh:
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Vacuum-sealed: Lasts longer by preventing air exposure.
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Open air packaging: Shorter shelf life of just 2 to 3 days.
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Previously frozen: Once thawed, cook within 1 to 2 days.
Re-wrap open packs in plastic wrap or foil to exclude air and odors. But don’t solely rely on packaging – check printed expiration dates.
How to Tell if Trader Joe’s Salmon Has Gone Bad
Use your senses to assess freshness:
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Look: Raw flesh should be glistening and firm. Discoloration, drying, or gaping texture means toss it.
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Smell: Fresh salmon has a mild, ocean-like scent. Fishy, sour, or ammonia odors signal spoilage.
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Feel: Flesh should spring back when pressed. Slime, stickiness, or mushiness means don’t eat it.
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Taste: Saute a small piece. Rancid, bitter, or sour flavors mean it’s unsafe.
When in doubt, remember: “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled seafood.
Storing Leftover Cooked Trader Joe’s Salmon
Here’s how long cooked leftover salmon lasts refrigerated:
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As leftovers: 3 to 4 days
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In dishes, salads, etc: 3 to 4 days
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Canned, smoked, or pickled: About 2 weeks
Divide large portions into shallow containers for quick cooling. Frozen cooked salmon keeps 2 to 3 months.
Freezing Trader Joe’s Salmon
For maximum freshness, freeze raw Trader Joe’s salmon soon after buying, especially if not using within 2-3 days. Here are some freezing tips:
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Place fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
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Transfer to freezer bags, removing excess air.
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Add a label with variety and freeze-by date (3 months from freezing).
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Thaw overnight in the fridge or under cold running water.
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Cook thawed salmon within 1-2 days. Don’t refreeze.
Proper freezing maintains the texture and flavor for use in future seafood recipes.
How to Shop for Fresh Trader Joe’s Salmon
When buying fresh raw salmon at Trader Joe’s, look for:
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Bright, glistening flesh without discolored patches.
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Firm texture without indentations when pressed.
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Clean, mild seafood scent, not fishy or ammonia-like.
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Packaged salmon buried in ice, not sitting in melted water.
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Purchase well before the printed sell-by date.
Start with the freshest salmon you can find and it’ll last longer once home.
Safe Handling of Raw Trader Joe’s Salmon
Raw salmon contains bacteria and parasites, so food safety is important:
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Refrigerate in the coldest area, not the door.
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Keep raw salmon away from other foods.
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Wash hands, cutting boards, utensils etc thoroughly after handling.
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Defrost frozen salmon in the fridge, not at room temperature.
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Marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Following safe salmon handling reduces the risks of foodborne illness. Cook to 145°F minimum internal temperature.
Enjoying Trader Joe’s Salmon Before It Expires
To enjoy your Trader Joe’s salmon before it expires:
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Only buy what you’ll use within 2-3 days.
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Cook half the salmon immediately and freeze the rest.
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Marinate overnight in the fridge to use the next day.
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Bake, grill, pan sear, poach or broil fillets.
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Use in sushi, salmon cakes, burgers, pasta, and salads.
With proper storage and handling, Trader Joe’s fresh salmon stays delicious until you’re ready to cook it. Follow this guide to maximize the shelf life and safety of Trader Joe’s wild, farmed, and smoked salmon.
Trader Joe’s Salmon vs. “Sushi-Grade”: Is It Worth the Splurge?
FAQ
How long can you keep Trader Joe’s salmon in the fridge?
Can raw salmon last 4 days in the fridge?
How long does packaged salmon last in the fridge?
How long does leftover salmon last in the fridge?
What is Trader Joe’s BBQ cut fresh atlantic salmon?
Trader Joe’s BBQ Cut Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets with Skin are from salmon that have been carefully raised in some of the world’s most pristine salmon farms, at the foot of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Norway.
Is Trader Joe’s Fresh Atlantic salmon good?
Product Description: Trader Joe’s Fresh Atlantic Salmon is a solid farm-raised fresh fish option in the refrigerated case of Trader Joe’s. If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner and aren’t near a solid fish market then this is one of the best farm-raised salmon I’ve tried. For some, only wild will cut it.
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 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.