
Why is sockeye salmon is so expensive?
The sockeye are the standout example of a more worrisome decline in what once were abundant salmon runs in Seattle and beyond. "The salmon can't speak, and they need someone to speak for them, and protect them," said Jason Elkins, chairman of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
Which salmon is better, king or sockeye?
Sockeye salmon has fewer calories, less fat, less cholesterol and more protein than king salmon. However, king salmon has less sodium, more calcium and potassium than sockeye salmon. King salmon contains more omega-3 fatty acids and has a less pronounced flavor than sockeye salmon.
How to tell if sockeye salmon has gone bad?
Texture Signs of Salmon Gone Bad
- Take the salmon and, if you cannot tell if it has gone bad by way of scent or by sight, use your fingers!
- Press down on the flesh. ...
- If, after you remove your fingers, the flesh springs back (like your arm does, remember?), then it is safe to eat!
What is the most efficient way to cook sockeye salmon?
What Is the Most Efficient Way to Cook Sockeye Salmon?
- Selecting Sockeye Salmon. When purchasing salmon always seek out "wild-caught," fresh, or flash-frozen varieties. ...
- Cooking Sockeye Salmon. Sockeye salmon is firmer than other fish and can be overcooked very easily. ...
- Finishing Touches. Wild sockeye salmon demands to be eaten as-is. ...

What is the best type of salmon to eat?
wild Pacific salmonWild salmon is generally considered to be the best salmon to eat. Since wild Atlantic salmon isn't sold, this means that the healthiest salmon is wild Pacific salmon.
Why is sockeye salmon the best?
Sockeye salmon is rich in texture and high in flavor. In fact, for people who like the flavor of salmon, sockeye tastes the most like salmon. The sockeye salmon eats more plankton and crustaceans like shrimp than other salmon species, which contributes to its darker color and rich flavor.
Is salmon or sockeye better?
Atlantic salmon is more calorie-dense than sockeye, so those on a diet should opt for the sockeye variety. On the other hand, both species are rich in omega-3-fatty acids. They are also rich in minerals like potassium, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.
Which salmon is better coho or sockeye?
Both wild sockeye and coho are lean machines, with coho being the leaner of the two. A 6-ounce fillet of sockeye has about 15 grams of fat, while coho packs about 9 grams; both species are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that are prized by health nuts and underconsumed by the average person.
Which salmon is tastiest?
Chinook Salmon/King SalmonChinook Salmon/King Salmon Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), also known as King salmon, is considered by many to be the best-tasting of the salmon bunch. They have a high-fat content and corresponding rich flesh that ranges from white to a deep red color.
Why is sockeye salmon more expensive?
But when it comes to salmon, the costs are most extreme. Wild salmon are very difficult to catch, therefore, catching them is expensive. Even farmed salmon are very expensive to raise and harvest- making them expensive.
Which is healthier sockeye or King salmon?
Chinook: The largest (and often most expensive), the king or chinook, is prized for its high fat content and buttery texture and is rich in omega-3s. Sockeye: An oilier fish with deep red flesh, sockeye salmon also high in heart-healthy omega-3s but has a stronger flavor and stands up well to grilling.
Is sockeye salmon more fishy tasting?
Sockeye salmon are known for their bright red flesh and their bold, salmon-y scent. They're the most flavorful (what some would consider fishy) of all salmon and are commonly sold smoked, in high-end salmon burgers, and by the fillet.
What is the most expensive salmon?
King SalmonKing Salmon (aka Chinook Salmon) The one downside: It's usually the most expensive salmon you'll find at the fishmonger—but honestly, it's money well spent. King Salmon from Alaska is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified sustainable.
Is sockeye salmon high in mercury?
Sockeye is considered one of the safest species to eat due to the very low level of toxicity, including mercury. But again, our oceans are pretty dirty (unfortunately) so there is no escaping toxicity levels for ANY wild caught fish, including our salmon.
Is sockeye healthier than coho?
Coho salmon is healthier than sockeye due to its higher number of omega-3 fatty acids. Coho provides 55% more of the heart healthy omega-3. Coho contains more iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and selenium than sockeye salmon. Sockeye contains more cholesterol than coho salmon.
How do you pick a good salmon?
Take a good look at the eyes- they should be clear and bright, not sunken or cloudy. The gills should be a deep red and the skin shiny and slippery to the touch. When you pick up the fish it should feel firm, not floppy.
Sockeye Salmon vs Atlantic Salmon
The two kinds of salmon differ in how they are sourced, their appearance, texture, and flavor. Some of these factors influence others, so bear in mind that the origin of your salmon can affect its taste and looks.
What about Other Salmon Species?
There are a couple of other species of salmon that people tend to buy. Here’s how they hold up against Atlantic and sockeye salmon.
Buying the Best Salmon Out There
Different people prefer different kinds of salmon. My advice? If you want the salmon to be the star of the show, stick to sockeye. But if you’re on a budget, or want to use the salmon as a side, Atlantic is a better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is best to buy freshly caught wild salmon like sockeye, pink, chinook, and coho salmon.
In Conclusion
If you want to snag some fish for your dinner, knowing the sockeye salmon vs. Atlantic salmon will always come in handy. Regardless of the variety you choose, you are bound to end up with a tasty, healthy meal that is quick and easy to make.
What Is Sockeye Salmon?
Sockeye is a species that belongs to the Pacific salmon family with other popular varieties like coho and king (aka Chinook) salmon. If you’re new to sockeye, it has a rich, full flavor and firm texture that make it versatile enough for both everyday and special occasions.
What Makes Our Sockeye Different?
Hands down, freshness and sourcing. Starting in mid-May, our Seafood Team watches the first weeks of sockeye season very closely — and we communicate daily with our suppliers so that our stores have a fresh and high-quality selection from June through July.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified Sustainable
Look for the MSC’s blue fish label on our sockeye salmon, which means it has been sourced from a certified sustainable fishery. MSC is the world’s leading certification program for sustainable wild-caught seafood.
Supplier Spotlight: Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon
Don’t miss our fresh sockeye salmon that's sustainable wild-caught caught in Alaska’s Bristol Bay, home of the largest commercial wild salmon fishery in the world. This area’s vast system of pristine rivers and snow-fed lakes make it an ideal habitat for sockeye.
Meet the Fishermen of Bristol Bay
For over 130 years, generations of Bristol Bay’s small boat fishermen have carried on the tradition of hand-harvesting sockeye during peak-season from June to July. Sockeye’s abundance helps to support the 8,000 fishermen and 1,800 small fishing businesses that call this area home.
Know Your Salmon Types: Sockeye vs. Coho vs. King Salmon
In addition to sockeye, you may find other fresh salmon varieties like Atlantic, coho and king salmon in our Seafood case throughout the year. But what’s the difference exactly?
Sockeye Salmon Nutrition
Wild-caught salmon is a superfood star, and sockeye is no exception. Cooked wild-caught salmon is high in niacin, vitamin B12 and protein, also supplying potassium and omega-3s.
Sockeye Salmon: The Carotenoid Superstar
When you take a closer look at what’s in sockeye and coho, this is where the two species diverge for you as the consumer.
Coho Salmon: Oh My, Omega-3s
Both wild sockeye and coho are lean machines, with coho being the leaner of the two. A 6-ounce fillet of sockeye has about 15 grams of fat, while coho packs about 9 grams; both species are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that are prized by health nuts and underconsumed by the average person.
Other Types of Alaskan Salmon At a Glance
Coho and sockeye salmon are popular wild-caught species, but you might be wondering about other Pacific salmon you've come across in restaurants in grocery stores:
