How Much is Salmon at Costco? A Detailed Look at Salmon Prices

Salmon is one of the most popular and coveted types of seafood. Known for its rich flavor and extensive health benefits, salmon is a fish that both longtime seafood lovers and newcomers enjoy.

Costco sells fresh salmon at their warehouse locations and online through Instacart delivery With wild-caught and farmed salmon options ranging from $7.99 to $17.99 per pound, Costco offers very competitive salmon prices compared to traditional grocery stores.

Below we’ll breakdown Costco’s salmon offerings prices per pound, and how their prices compare to other retailers. We’ll also provide tips to find the best salmon value at Costco.

What Types of Salmon Does Costco Sell?

Costco sells a wide variety of salmon products including fresh salmon, frozen salmon, smoked salmon, and canned salmon. Here are the main types of salmon filets sold at Costco:

• Atlantic Salmon – Farmed, mild flavor, orange/pink color
• Sockeye Salmon – Wild, rich flavor, deep red color
• Coho Salmon – Wild, medium flavor, orange/red color
• King Salmon – Wild, buttery, soft texture

The most common fresh salmon options at Costco are farmed Atlantic salmon and wild-caught sockeye salmon from Alaska.

Sockeye salmon is generally a higher quality fish with a more pronounced salmon flavor profile. The wild sockeye has a beautiful deep, red color while the farmed Atlantic salmon is more pale orange.

Fresh vs Frozen Salmon at Costco

Costco sells both fresh and frozen salmon filets. While frozen was once considered inferior, today’s freezing techniques often lock in freshness and quality.

The main differences between fresh and frozen salmon at Costco:

• Fresh – Found in refrigerated section, convenient portions
• Frozen – Flash frozen locking in freshness, pre-portioned

Frozen salmon is often flash-frozen immediately after being caught, so it may be closer to “fresh” than the fresh salmon filets which have been sitting thawed under refrigeration for days.

Both fresh and frozen salmon prices are very similar at Costco. Choose based on your cooking needs and preferences.

How Much Does Salmon Cost at Costco?

Here are the current prices for the top salmon products at Costco:

• Atlantic Salmon – $9.99/lb
• Sockeye Salmon – $12.99/lb
• Coho Salmon – $14.99/lb
• Smoked Salmon – $19.99/lb
• Canned Salmon – $5.99 per can

Average Price – Farmed salmon averages $9-10/lb while wild salmon ranges from $13-17/lb.

As you’ll see, Costco’s regular pricing on salmon is very competitive compared to other grocery stores. Specials can bring the Atlantic salmon price down to $7.99/lb occasionally.

Costco Salmon Prices Compared to Other Retailers

To compare prices, we’ll look at salmon costs at conventional grocery stores like Safeway and specialty chains like Whole Foods.

Safeway

• Farmed Atlantic Salmon – $10.99/lb
• Wild Sockeye Salmon – $17.99/lb

Sprouts

• Farmed Atlantic Salmon – $11.99/lb
• Wild Sockeye Salmon – $14.99/lb

Whole Foods

• Farmed Atlantic Salmon – $12.99/lb
• Wild Sockeye Salmon – $18.99/lb

As you can see from the price comparisons, Costco beats out most other brick-and-mortar stores when it comes to salmon prices. You’ll save at least $2/lb compared to rivals.

Tips for Finding the Best Salmon Value at Costco

To maximize your salmon savings at Costco, follow these tips:

• Choose farmed Atlantic over wild if looking for best price
• Check for monthly promotions and specials
• Consider frozen salmon to lock in lower prices
• Buy larger 3-4lb portions for best cost per pound
• Compare prices between warehouse and online prices

Buying salmon at Costco provides great quality at a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere. Monitor specials and sales to score the best deals.

Factors Affecting Costco Salmon Prices

Why can Costco offer such low costs compared to traditional grocers? Here are some of the key factors:

• Bulk purchasing power – Costco can buy salmon in huge quantities direct from suppliers at lower costs. These savings get passed to members.

• Kirkland brand – Costco sells their private label Kirkland Signature salmon rather than big name brands. This reduces costs substantially.

• Membership model – Costco charges an annual membership fee giving them more flexibility to cut margins on individual items.

• Minimal marketing – With a membership model, Costco spends little on marketing compared to retail chains who sell to the general public. These savings reduce overall operating costs.

Leveraging these advantages allows Costco to price salmon and other products well below competitors.

Best Types of Salmon from Costco

While cost is important, you also want to choose a salmon that matches your needs:

Atlantic Salmon

Farmed Atlantic salmon offers the best value at Costco for shoppers looking for affordable salmon prices. Atlantic salmon has a milder taste and is excellent for salmon burgers or patties.

Sockeye Salmon

For the classic salmon flavor and deep red color, wild-caught sockeye salmon is tough to beat. While pricier than Atlantic, Sockeye offers an unmistakable salmon eating experience.

Other Wild Salmon

Try wild Coho or King salmon for special occasions or dinner parties. The buttery, rich flavors can’t be replicated in farmed Atlantic salmon. Expect to pay a higher price for these exclusive options.

No matter your needs and budget, Costco has a salmon option to satisfy. Their prices beat out nearly all other grocery retailers.

How Long Does Fresh Salmon Last from Costco?

Properly stored, fresh salmon from Costco will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Follow these salmon storage tips:

• Keep Costco salmon chilled at or below 40°F
• Place fresh salmon on ice or on a tray to prevent cross-contamination
• Wrap the salmon tightly in plastic wrap or foil
• Don’t rinse salmon prior to refrigeration
• Cook within 3-4 days for optimal freshness

Frozen salmon lasts for 3-6 months in the freezer before experiencing degradation in quality.

Should You Buy Salmon at Costco?

Here’s a quick recap on the benefits of buying salmon at Costco:

Price – Costco salmon costs at least $2/lb less than major grocery competitors.

Quality – The salmon quality is just as good, if not better, than traditional grocery stores.

Selection – Costco provides farmed, wild-caught, fresh, frozen, and smoked salmon options.

Kirkland Brand – High-quality private label Kirkland Signature salmon helps keep costs low.

Satisfaction Guarantee – Full refund if not satisfied with your Costco salmon.

With market-leading prices across a range of salmon products, purchasing salmon at Costco is a savvy choice for shoppers wanting quality seafood at a great value.

Costco Salmon Recipes

Once you’ve selected the perfect salmon filet from Costco, you’ll want delicious recipes to showcase this seafood. Here are some favorite ways to prepare Costco salmon:

• Baked Salmon – Simple and tasty oven-baked salmon seasoned with garlic, parsley, and lemon.

• Maple Glazed Salmon – Sweet maple syrup pairs perfectly with savory salmon.

• Air Fryer Salmon – Crispy salmon ready in just 15 minutes using an air fryer.

• Pesto Salmon – Pesto sauce infuses incredible flavor into salmon fillets.

With Costco’s affordable pricing on quality salmon, you can enjoy delicious salmon creations multiple times per week.

Is Costco Salmon Worth It?

At the end of the day, is buying salmon at Costco truly worth it compared to your other grocery options?

For most shoppers wanting fresh, high-quality salmon at a bargain cost, the answer is a resounding yes!

Costco makes it easy to put delicious, healthy salmon meals on the dinner table multiple nights a week without breaking the bank.

So next time you’re looking to purchase salmon, bypass the traditional supermarket and head to Costco. Their unbeatable prices on farmed Atlantic and wild-caught salmon can’t be matched.

The price of 1 pound of salmon can vary widely based on several factors, including the type of salmon, where it’s purchased, and whether it’s fresh or frozen.

Yes, 1 pound of salmon is typically enough for 2 people, especially if served as a main course with other dishes.