Omnivorous Adam’s Guide to Buying Seafood

It’s important to know how to make the right choices when it comes to purchasing seafood. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious novice, we’ve got you covered. We asked our Brand Ambassador, Omnivorous Adam a few of your burning questions about buying salmon at your local seafood counter. Here’s his guide:

• How much salmon should I order for 1 person? 2 people? A family of four?

I like to say 8 ounces or a half pound portion per person. Like any other protein, the fish will shrink slightly when cooked. I always lean towards more food then not enough, but that’s just me.

• What should I look for at the seafood counter to make sure I’m choosing sustainably raised salmon?

A lot of markets are good about providing labels about where the fish is from and/or how it’s raised which is helpful.

Sustainable food comes from a place or operation that works to minimize environmental impacts on the food that they create and ensures a certain level of quality and fair working conditions.

• What color should salmon be when I purchase it?

It depends on the type of salmon, but I prefer a fish with good inter-muscular fat and a pretty orange, maybe even pink color. I’m not the biggest fan of super lean, deeply orange salmon because I feel that they tend to dry out easily and have a sometimes unpleasantly strong flavor.

• Why choose fresh salmon over frozen?

This depends on a number of factors. Freezing fish can damage its flesh and cause it to weep moisture as it thaws which makes you end up with a withered, sad fish. Flash freezing can negate some of that damage and keep the fish firmer in better shape. However, in my experience a fresh fish pulled right from the water is undefeated.

• How long can fresh salmon be kept in my fridge once purchased?

That depends on how long the market was sitting on it before you purchased it. My rule of thumb is within 2 days of purchasing it, but it just depends. Use your nose, if it doesn’t smell good, don’t eat it. If it doesn’t smell like anything, then it’s fresh.

•  What should fish look and feel like so I know that it’s fresh?

It should be vibrant in color, whichever that is supposed to be. The flesh should be firm to the touch. If buying a whole fish the gills should be bright pink and the eyes clear and unclouded. If the fish is oddly slimy or mucusy, pass on it.