Costco is anyone’s go-to place for getting the best quality seafood, like wild-caught salmon. Indeed, when you visit your nearby Costco store, you can choose wild-caught salmon more carefully.
But how about getting it online?
Wild-caught salmon has got mixed reviews at Costco online.
Why?
This article covers the pros and cons of buying Costco wild-caught salmon online.
What’s the Best Wild Caught Salmon Available at Costco?
The wild-caught salmon sold at Costco is available in 2 brands: Kirkland Signature (canned wild-caught salmon) and Northwest Fish (Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon).
But in this article, I’ll particularly discuss the wild-caught salmon by Northwest Fish because it’s raw, frozen, and premium quality salmon. You can prepare it according to your preferences.
On the other hand, the Kirkland Signature, wild-caught salmon, is sold under 3 options:
- Canned, available at Costco.com and (it’s ready to eat), but there is little information about its quality.
- Wild salmon filets in 2.88 lbs packaging
- And, wild, smoked sockeye salmon
Discussing about the the premium quality wild salmon options at Costco,
Northwest Fish Sockeye Salmon comes with skin on and pin bones removed. It’s available in 2 types of fillets:
- Large filets of 10 lbs weight: each filet weighs 1-2 lbs. As per July 2023 prices, 10 lbs packaging is available for $219.99, costing you $22 per lb.
Sliced filets in 10 lbs weight: The packaging includes 25 portions of 4-6 ozs. As per July 2023 prices, 10 lbs packaging is available for $229.99, costing you $23 per lb.
Why is Northwest Fish Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon at Costco So Special?
Costco’s Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon by Northwest Fish is highly regarded among seafood enthusiasts for several reasons.
Here are some reasons why it’s considered to be exceptionally good:
1. It’s a premium quality wild salmon, which tastes great!
Wild Alaskan sockeye salmon at Costco has a rich, robust and buttery flavor often described as bold and full-bodied. This taste is often attributed to the fish’s natural diet of plankton and its life cycle that involves swimming long distances in the ocean.
2. The wild-caught Costco salmon is known for its firm texture.
The flesh of Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is firm and has a delicate yet meaty texture. After cooking, it flakes easily without losing its moisture. Therefore, this flavorful, buttery fish remains more enjoyable to eat.
3. It’s nutrient-rich.
Northwest Fish’s Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is packed with essential nutrients, including:
Omega-3 fatty acids: These are crucial for maintaining good health in humans. These fatty acids offer numerous advantages, such as diminishing inflammation, enhancing cardiovascular well-being, and safeguarding against cognitive deterioration.
Protein: It is a vital component found in salmon, serving as a valuable source for building and preserving muscle mass.
Vitamin B12: It plays a fundamental role in various bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system.
Selenium: It supports the immune system and protects you against cancer.
Phosphorus: It is a mineral important for bone health and energy production.
In addition to these nutrients, wild-caught salmon also contains a number of other beneficial compounds, including astaxanthin, a carotenoid that gives salmon its pink color and has antioxidant properties.
4. It has a visually appealing, vibrant color.
The flesh of Costco’s wild Alaskan sockeye salmon has a vibrant reddish-orange color that adds visual appeal to dishes. The bright color is because of the fish’s diet, which includes natural pigments called carotenoids, specifically astaxanthin.
5. It’s caught by following sustainable fishing practices.
The Northwest Fish Wild Sockeye Salmon is sourced from MSC Certified Waters. MSC Certified Waters refers to fisheries that have been independently assessed and certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, based on three pillars:
- Fishing only healthy stocks
- Being well-managed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the stock
- Minimizing the impact on other species and the wider ecosystem
Fisheries that meet the MSC’s standards are eligible to use the MSC’s blue fish label, which is a guarantee to consumers that the seafood they are buying comes from a sustainable fishery.
It means that the wild-caught salmon at Costco by Northwest Fish can be fully trusted for its quality.
6. It’s free from antibiotics and pesticides.
Fish sourced from fish farms get pumped with antibiotics and pesticides. Not only this, but they can also have nasty stuff like PCSBs and dioxin, making them super toxic.
To your goodness, Costco’s wild-caught salmon, raised in a natural environment, is free from antibiotics and pesticides. So, it’s healthy for you and your entire family.
7. It comes from the natural environment.
Costco’s Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon comes from pristine and relatively unpolluted waters. The fish swim freely in the open ocean and then return to their natal rivers in Alaska to spawn. The clean and natural habitat contributes to the overall quality and flavor of the fish.
What Are Some Cons of Wild Caught Salmon at Costco Online?
It’s not a quality issue. As discussed in the previous section, it’s clear that wild salmon available at costco.com is an excellent choice when you want to get healthier, delicious salmon.
But what compromises the salmon quality is the shipping.
Yes, even though Costco sends you this fish through UPS air delivery in 2 days (business days), if you order it during the hot season, there are chances the fish doesn’t reach you frozen. It can be smelly and look bad.
And it’s the primary reason many buyers have been disappointed with their purchases. Secondly, when buying online, you’ve to pay a heavier price. The price is higher than you pay at the Costco physical store.
So, I’ll advise you to trust the supplier, Northwest Fish, for their wild-caught salmon, also a Costco store, but avoid buying it online.
FAQs
How is Costco wild-caught salmon shipped?
Costco wild-caught salmon is shipped frozen via UPS 2nd Day Air. The salmon is individually vacuum-packed and quickly frozen to ensure freshness. The shipping time is typically 2-3 business days.
Does wild-caught salmon have worms in it?
Yes, it’s common for wild-caught or farm-raised salmon to have worms in it, not only at Costco but at any other store.
The most common type of worm found in salmon is anisakid nematodes. These worms are parasites that live in the stomachs of fish.
The worms are usually visible to the naked eye. They’re typically white or translucent and may be curled up or straight.
These worms can cause a parasitic infection called anisakiasis, which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. In severe cases, anisakiasis can lead to complications such as peritonitis or allergic reactions. If you find worms in your salmon, you should not eat it.
The best way to avoid affected salmon, wild-caught or farm-raised, is to get it after observing it closely, which is only possible if you buy salmon at the physical store.
