We all know that not everything you see on TikTok is always good advice. Tide Pods are not food, and cooking steak in a toaster is a terrible idea. One TikTok user said that you should eat Costco salmon raw, but that’s not true. Here’s another piece of advice that you should not follow.
Even though the TikTok video doesn’t seem to be there anymore, it was mostly a young woman praising Costco salmon as a cheap alternative to sushi-grade salmon. Commenters, however, were skeptical of the claims; and it seems they may have been right to do so. In a follow-up video called “food poisoning vlog,” the woman says she has been throwing up, having diarrhea, and having bodyaches for two days. She says the raw salmon may have been the cause of her illness.
However, to be fair to Costco, it doesn’t look like the store advertised the salmon as safe to eat raw. Nor do we have any proof that the fish was, in fact, the cause of her illness. While wed have no hesitation to buy Costco salmon ourselves, wed definitely want to cook it.
As a seafood lover, I frequently shop at Costco for quality salmon at a great price. However, I’ve always wondered – is Costco salmon flash frozen before being sold fresh in the seafood department? It’s an important question, since flash freezing helps lock in freshness and kill parasites.
After doing some digging, here’s what I learned about how Costco handles their salmon
How Costco Sources Their Fresh Salmon
Costco works directly with salmon suppliers to source their fish. One person who used to work for a Costco salmon vendor says the fresh fillets are not flash frozen. Here’s the process:
- Salmon is caught in the Pacific Ocean or farmed.
- The fish is immediately chilled on the fishing boats using a spiral cooler to quickly lower the temperature.
- Salmon is chilled to around 28°F for transport and distribution.
- By the time the salmon arrives at Costco, the temperature has risen to 33-34°F during transit.
- Costco then displays the fresh, never frozen fillets in their seafood department.
So while not technically flash frozen, the salmon is cooled quickly to preserve freshness. However, because it’s not frozen solid, parasites remain a potential risk.
The Benefits of Flash Freezing Salmon
So why does flash freezing matter? Here are some of the main benefits:
- Locks in Freshness: Flash freezing happens quickly, within hours of catching fish. This preserves texture and flavor.
- Kills Parasites: Freezing fish to below -4°F for 7 days kills any parasites. Less risk of foodborne illness.
- Longer Shelf Life: Frozen salmon lasts 9-12 months in the freezer. Fresh salmon only lasts a few days.
Without flash freezing, salmon lacks some of these advantages.
Can You Eat Costco Salmon Raw?
With fresh, not flash frozen salmon, is it safe to eat raw in dishes like sushi or poke?
The short answer is no – there is no guarantee with fresh salmon. Costco also does not recommend consuming their salmon raw. There is a real risk of contracting parasites or food poisoning.
Some folks still choose to take the risk, but understand the potential dangers. I personally would not feel comfortable eating fresh Costco salmon raw.
Does Costco Sell Flash Frozen Salmon?
While their fresh salmon fillets are not flash frozen, Costco does offer frozen salmon options:
- Kirkland Signature Frozen Sockeye Salmon
- Kirkland Signature Frozen Atlantic Salmon
The frozen salmon at Costco is flash frozen soon after catching. It is then thawed before packaging and refrozen. So these frozen options offer that safety benefit.
Downsides are that texture and moisture content may degrade slightly with multiple freeze-thaw cycles. But overall frozen salmon still provides excellent quality. And cooking will kill any bacteria.
Tips for Buying Salmon at Costco
To make sure you get high-quality salmon from Costco, keep these tips in mind:
- For sushi or other raw preparations, go with the frozen salmon.
- For fresh, choose fillets that are bright, shiny, and translucent. Dull or milky flesh indicates older salmon.
- Cook fresh salmon to 145°F to kill bacteria and parasites.
- Frozen salmon can be safely thawed and cooked to preference.
- For value, compare price per pound – ranges from $8 to $15.
- Try both Atlantic farmed salmon for a buttery flavor and Wild Sockeye for a richer taste.
Is Costco Salmon High Quality?
Overall, yes I would consider Costco’s salmon to be high quality – especially considering the prices. By sourcing direct and eliminating middlemen, they can offer fresh wild-caught salmon for just $2-$5 more per pound than standard farmed Atlantic salmon.
As a bonus, their wild salmon like Sockeye are more sustainable than farmed. While not flash frozen, their supply chain does minimize time from catch to store.
So don’t be afraid to grab salmon on your next Costco run. Just take appropriate precautions depending on whether you choose fresh or frozen. Both offer an affordable way to enjoy delicious, healthy salmon.
Sushi Guy’s Guide: Costco Fresh Salmon for Sushi Use (v2 non-Frozen Version)
FAQ
Is Costco fresh salmon frozen?
Is Costco fish pre frozen?
Is it safe to eat Costco frozen salmon as sashimi?
Is all salmon frozen before selling?
Does Costco freeze salmon?
Even though wild salmon tastes better, it must be flash frozen to destroy parasites in the flesh; Costco does freeze its salmon, but does not meet FDA guidelines for parasite destruction. Parasite Risk: none Scallops are an excellent choice for sushi, typically served as nigiri, perhaps with a pinch of salt and squeeze of citrus.
Does Costco thaw fresh salmon?
Costco fresh salmon, found in the meat and seafood department, is flash-frozen and then thawed before being sold. They do this to kill any worms or parasites that may be in the fish. Most seafood found in grocery stores and other retailers will be flash-frozen during production.
Can you eat salmon at Costco?
Salmon is one such fish susceptible to these parasites. Use this buying guide at your local Costco to know what to shop for—and what to avoid—when shopping for sushi. Remember to always buy as fresh as possible and avoid fish labeled as “wild” to reduce risk of parasites.
How much does Costco salmon cost?
Here are Costco salmon prices as of 5/1/2022. How much is Salmon at Costco? Costco Atlantic salmon goes for roughly $10 a pound, and both Kirkland Signature fresh and frozen sockeye salmon costs about $13 per pound. Fresh and frozen salmon have similar prices, so pick based on the occasion and how you want to cook and serve it.