Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish available Rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon offers an array of health benefits From boosting heart health to enhancing brain function, adding salmon to your diet can transform your health and wellbeing.
But not all salmon is created equal. Wild salmon is vastly superior to farmed salmon in nutrition, sustainability, taste and texture. If you want to reap the full benefits of salmon, it’s important to source high-quality wild salmon from a reputable provider. The good news is that you can now order fresh wild salmon online and have it delivered right to your door!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying fresh wild salmon near you We’ll explore the key differences between wild and farmed salmon, outline where to find high-quality wild salmon online and locally, provide helpful tips for choosing fresh salmon fillets and prepare delicious salmon recipes. Let’s dive in!
Why Choose Wild-Caught Salmon Over Farmed?
When it comes to salmon, farmed varieties are quick and inexpensive, but they lack the rich, flavorful taste and depth of nutrients that wild salmon provide. Here are some key differences between wild and farmed salmon:
-
Nutrition Wild salmon has a superior fatty acid profile, containing more omega-3s than farmed. Wild salmon get their nutrition from eating other organisms like krill, plankton and smaller fish. Farmed salmon are fed pellets made of plant proteins, fishmeal and oils which alters their nutritional value
-
Pollutants: Salmon raised in farms live in pens with a lot of other fish, which makes them more likely to get parasites, viruses, and pollutants. Wild salmon absorb fewer toxins and pollutants from the ocean.
-
Antibiotics and Pesticides: Farmed salmon are often treated with antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals to combat disease and parasites. No drugs or chemicals are used to raise wild salmon.
-
The pink color in farmed salmon comes from the crustaceans they eat, so their flesh is dyed pink to make it look pink. Wild salmon get their vibrant hue from natural carotenoids in their diet.
-
Sustainability: Farming pens release waste, chemicals and non-native farmed fish into wild habitats. Wild populations are entirely self-sustaining without any resource inputs.
-
Taste and Texture: Thanks to superior nutrition, wild salmon has a richer flavor and firmer texture than the blander, softer flesh of farmed salmon.
Even though farmed salmon is easier to find and cheaper, it is not as healthy or enjoyable to eat as wild salmon. For the healthiest, tastiest salmon, choose wild-caught whenever possible.
Online Sources for Fresh Wild Salmon Delivery
While you can sometimes find decent wild salmon at grocery stores, the selections are often frozen and limited. The internet has opened up an ocean of opportunity for getting fresh wild-caught salmon delivered. Here are some top online sources for purchasing premium wild salmon:
Pure Food Fish Market
This Pacific Northwest company has been delivering ultra-fresh seafood for over a century. They offer a stellar selection of sustainable wild salmon including regional favorites like Copper River Sockeye and King. Their salmon is masterfully packaged with dry ice and gel packs to arrive fresh and firm.
Key Features
- Wide selection of fresh wild salmon fillets, portions and whole fish
- Next-day delivery nationwide
- Harvested sustainably from Alaskan and Pacific waters
- Responsibly packaged with minimal plastic and recyclables
Vital Choice Wild Seafood
Family-owned and operated for over 20 years, Vital Choice is a leader in premium wild seafood. Their salmon is hand-trimmed and vacuum-sealed to preserve freshness. Free shipping is offered on orders over $99.
Key Features:
- Certified sustainable wild salmon fillets and portions
- Free overnight shipping on orders over $99
- Salmon canned within hours of being caught
- Per-piece option allows you to order exactly what you need
Sitka Salmon Shares
This community-based company connects consumers to small-scale salmon fishermen in Alaska. Their salmon arrives within 48 hours of being caught. Subscriptions allow you to set automatic monthly deliveries.
Key Features:
- Directly supports small salmon-fishing communities in Alaska
- Salmon arrives within 48 hours of harvest
- Choose monthly subscription or one-time orders
Thrive Market
In addition to healthy foods and products, this online marketplace also sells wild seafood. Their salmon selection includes popular cuts of sockeye and king packed on ice for freshness.
Key Features:
- Wide range of salmon cuts, smoked salmon and caviar
- Ships previously frozen portions packed with dry ice
- Discounted pricing for members at $5/month
Purchase Salmon In-Person from Local Fish Markets
If you live near an ocean coast or major city, heading to a specialty fish market allows you to hand-select your own fresh salmon with the help of knowledgeable fishmongers. Here are some tips for choosing a high-quality market and the freshest salmon cuts:
Check the Source
Ask where the salmon comes from – it should be wild-caught from Alaska, Pacific Northwest or another reputable fishery. If the source is unknown or farmed, look elsewhere.
Seek Out Variety
Top salmon markets carry multiple high-quality wild species like Sockeye, Coho, King and Pink from regional fisheries. Diverse options ensure freshness.
Know When Salmon is in Season
Seasonality varies by species and location, but wild salmon is abundant mid-summer through early fall. Avoid “wild” salmon in the off-season – it’s likely farmed or frozen.
Assess Appearance
Whole salmon and fillets should look moist with shiny, taut skin and no discoloration or odor. The flesh should be deep red to orange.
Ask About Delivery Days
Find out which days new inventory arrives and shop on those days for the freshest catch. Many markets receive salmon overnight to offer next-day fresh options.
See How it’s Handled
Markets should keep salmon well iced in the case and wrapped properly to prevent contamination and drying. Staff should avoid excess handling to prevent bruising.
Expert Tips for Storing and Preparing Fresh Wild Salmon
Once you’ve sourced your fresh wild salmon, proper storage and preparation are key to safely enjoying salmon’s delicious flavor and nutritional benefits:
-
Keep fresh wild salmon chilled at all times during transport and storage. Use an insulated bag or cooler when transporting salmon home from the market.
-
Store salmon in the coldest part of your refrigerator if consuming within 2 days. Otherwise, wrap tightly in plastic and freeze. Frozen salmon keeps for 2-3 months.
-
Rinse salmon under cold water before cooking or eating raw. Use a paper towel to dry fillets to prevent water dilution of flavor.
-
Consider the fat content of different salmon species when cooking. Fattier King and Sockeye salmon are ideal for grilling, while lower-fat Coho and Pink do well poached or baked.
-
Cook salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to destroy parasites and bacteria. When grilling, watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
-
Pair salmon with salty, bright, acidic ingredients like capers, lemons and fresh herbs to complement its rich, savory flavor.
Simple and Delicious Salmon Recipes
From elegant dinner entrees to easy weeknight meals, salmon pairs perfectly with endless flavors and preparation methods. Here are just a few delicious ways to enjoy fresh wild salmon:
1. Lemon Garlic Salmon with Asparagus
Ingredients: Salmon fillets, lemon, garlic, asparagus, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley.
Instructions: Marinate salmon in lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Roast salmon and asparagus at 400°F until cooked through. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
2. Cajun Blackened Salmon
Ingredients: Salmon fillets, cajun seasoning, butter, lemon wedges.
Instructions: Brush salmon with butter and coat thoroughly with cajun seasoning. Sear in a hot cast iron skillet 2-3 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges.
3. Salmon Burgers
Ingredients: Salmon, bread crumbs, egg, lemon juice, dill, salt, pepper, olive oil.
Instructions: Chop salmon and mix gently with bread crumbs, egg, lemon juice and seasonings. Form into patties and pan fry in olive oil 4-5 minutes per side. Serve on buns with all your favorite burger toppings.
4. Salmon Poke Bowl
Ingredients: Salmon, soy sauce, sesame oil, pineapple, avocado, scallions, bell pepper, fresh greens, brown rice.
Instructions: Dice salmon into bitesized pieces. Toss with soy sauce, sesame oil and allow to marinate 15 minutes. Assemble over rice with pineapple, avocado, veggies and greens.
5. Baked Salmon Packets
Ingredients
Browse more Salmon categories:
- Turning on notifications for the Instacart app
- Keep an eye out for calls and texts from your Instacart shopper.”
- Giving people helpful directions on how to park, gate codes, or other ways to find your house
- Delivery fees start at $3. 99 for same-day orders over $35. There are different prices for deliveries within an hour, to club stores, and for deliveries under $35.
- Service fees depend on where you are and the number and types of items in your cart, among other things. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
- Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. You can show your customer how much you appreciate and thank them for great service. There is 10% of your tip that goes directly to the person who delivers your order.
With an optional Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fee on every order over $35 and lower service fees too. Instacart pickup cost:
- There may be a “pickup fee” of $1 for your order, which is the same as a delivery fee for pick-up orders. 99 for non-Instacart+ members. Instacart+ membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
- No matter if you are a member of Instacart or not, there are no service fees for pick-up orders.
- Find Best Match: If nothing else is chosen, your shopper will use their best judgment to choose a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: If your first choice is sold out, you can choose a specific alternative for the customer to buy.
- Choose “Dont Replace” for items you don’t want to replace. If the item is out of stock, you’ll get your money back.
- Missing items
- Incorrect items
- Damaged items
- Poor replacements
- Early/late orders
If an order never came, or you get someone else’s order, you can reach out to Instacart Customer Experience. Yes! You can get Salmon products delivered same-day in as fast as one hour from stores near you using the Instacart app or website.