Fish cakes are a super tasty and versatile food that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, entree, or snack. Made from minced fish, potatoes, herbs and spices, fish cakes have a nice flaky texture on the outside and are flavorful and moist on the inside. I love making them at home, but you can also easily find high-quality, premade fish cakes at many grocery stores and specialty food shops.
In this article, I’ll share my recommendations on the best places to buy delicious fish cakes, whether you are looking for frozen options to keep stocked in your freezer or freshly made ones to eat right away. I’ll also provide tips on what to look for when buying fish cakes to ensure you get tasty, high-quality products. Let’s dive in!
Top Places to Buy Frozen Fish Cakes
Frozen fish cakes provide a convenient way to enjoy these tasty morsels anytime Here are some of my top recommended stores for buying frozen fish cakes
Costco
Costco usually has a nice selection of premium frozen fish cakes, like their Kirkland Signature Pub Style Fish Cakes They are made with wild Alaskan pollock and have a crispy breadcrumb coating. Costco fish cakes are quite large—one cake is easily enough for a meal—and sold in multi-packs at a great value.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s offers unique frozen seafood items, including several varieties of fish cakes. They have traditional fish cakes made of cod or salmon, as well as fun flavors like crab and corn or spinach and cheese. Trader Joe’s frozen fish cakes are a tasty and affordable option.
Grocery Store Chains
Many larger grocery store chains have private label frozen fish cake options, like Simple Truth Organic Fish Cakes at Kroger or 365 Organic Fish Cakes at Whole Foods. These are good quality and worth trying if you see them. The selection varies by location.
Online Stores
You can order frozen fish cakes online from retailers like Thrive Market, Butcher Box, or eco-friendly seafood sellers like FultonFishMarket.com. This is handy if you can’t find what you want locally. Make sure to get fast shipping or only order what will fit in your freezer.
Places to Buy Freshly Made Fish Cakes
For the freshest fish cakes, seek out stores and restaurants that make them from scratch. Here are some ideas:
Seafood Markets or Fish Mongers
Many seafood shops will carry housemade fish cakes, especially crab cakes which are very popular. The fish cakes will be made fresh daily. Seafood markets are a great place to get high-quality fish cakes using fresh caught seafood.
Gourmet Markets
Upscale grocers like Whole Foods, Dean & Deluca, and Fresh Market will often have a fresh prepared foods section with artisanal fish cakes. For example, Whole Foods sells items like ginger salmon fish cakes and Maryland-style crab cakes from their kitchen.
Farmers Markets
Local food vendors at farmers markets are a wonderful place to find homemade fish cakes. Look for seafood sellers or prepared food stands. The fish cakes are made with care using seasonal ingredients.
Family-Owned Fish and Chips Shops
Traditional fish and chips shops are a tasty place to pick up freshly fried fish cakes. These family businesses hand make their menu items, including crispy fish cakes, so you know they will be delicious.
Asian Grocery Stores or Markets
Asian supermarkets frequently have freshly made fish balls and fish cakes in their deli section or freezer aisle. This is a great place to find fish cakes with authentic Asian flavors like traditional fish balls in Chinese or Korean styles.
Local Restaurants
Check out the appetizer menus at restaurants in your area. Many will offer their own signature fish cakes, like crab cakes drizzled with remoulade sauce. You can order fish cakes as a meal or appetizer.
What to Look for When Buying Fish Cakes
To ensure you get delicious fish cakes, keep these buying tips in mind:
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Ingredients: Look for fish cakes made predominantly from fish like cod, salmon, tilapia or crabmeat. Avoid too many fillers.
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Appearance: Fish cake coating should be crispy looking without excess ice crystals or burn marks. Interior fish color should be moist and flaky.
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Aroma: Fresh fish cakes should smell pleasant, briny and ocean-like but not overly fishy or sour.
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Label: Check ingredients, nutritional info, allergen warnings, and manufacturer info.
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Expiration date: Only purchase frozen fish cakes with a distant sell-by or use-by date so they last.
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Prepared items: For fresh fish cakes, inspect them closely and avoid any with dry looking exterior or mushy texture.
Cooking and Serving Fish Cakes
Fish cakes are easy to cook. Frozen fish cakes can go straight from freezer to oven, skillet, or air fryer. Follow package instructions. For fresh fish cakes, use gentle heating methods like pan frying in oil or baking. Enjoy fish cakes as-is or serve with remoulade sauce, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce or aioli. Fish cakes pair nicely with potato or pasta sides. Their portability makes them perfect for appetizer trays or picnic baskets too.
Recap of the Best Places to Buy Fish Cakes
Fish cakes make for a tasty meal or snack any time of day. You can find convenient frozen options at grocery stores like Costco, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. For the freshest fish cakes, check your local seafood markets, restaurants, farmers markets, and fish and chips shops. Look for high-quality ingredients and optimal textures when selecting fish cakes. Follow storage and cooking guidelines to enjoy these scrumptious seafood cakes at their finest. With so many great places to source fish cakes, you’ll never have to miss out on these delicious morsels.
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