Where to Buy Sushi Grade Salmon Near Me

Sushi grade salmon is a must for making delicious sushi, sashimi, poke bowls, and other raw salmon dishes at home. But with so many options for buying fish, how do you know where to find high quality sushi grade salmon near you?

As a sushi lover and amateur home chef, I’ve ordered salmon online, bought it at the grocery store, and even tried the fish counter at my local supermarket. After plenty of hit-or-miss experiences, I’ve discovered the best places to buy reliably fresh, delicious sushi grade salmon for all my homemade sushi creations.

In this article, I’ll share my tips for finding and buying the best sushi grade salmon in your area.

What is Sushi Grade Salmon?

The term “sushi grade” is not an official grading system and doesn’t have one standard definition. But in general, sushi grade means the fish meets these criteria:

• Freshness – Salmon sold as sushi grade should be very fresh, usually killed and iced within the past few days. This helps ensure quality and food safety.

• Proper Handling – After harvest, sushi grade fish is immediately chilled properly transported and kept cold throughout processing and selling to maintain freshness.

• Low Parasite Risk – Sushi grade salmon is typically wild-caught in northern climates like Alaska where parasite risk is low compared to warmer waters. Farmed salmon are less susceptible to parasites as well

• High Fat Content – The best salmon for sushi and sashimi has ample fat marbled throughout for richness, smooth texture, and flavor. Lean salmon isn’t as desirable.

• Proper Cut and Color – Uniformly red color and clean cuts with no brown around the edges indicate freshness.

Where to Buy Sushi Grade Salmon

Now that you know what marks truly high quality sushi grade salmon, here are some of the best places to buy it near you:

Fish Markets and Specialty Seafood Shops

Dedicated fish markets and specialty seafood stores are my top choice for buying sushi-worthy salmon. Their whole business revolves around selling seafood, so you can count on an excellent selection of fresh fish. Tell them you’re looking for sushi-grade salmon and they’ll know exactly what you need.

Some of the best seafood shops also offer online ordering and next-day delivery to conveniently get ultra-fresh salmon on demand. Home delivery means you can skip the car ride and let the fish come to you.

I’m lucky to live near several excellent specialty seafood markets that stock a rotating variety of wild salmon from Alaska and Norway – Atlantic salmon, Sockeye, King, Silver, and more. Their knowledgeable staff always points me towards the best salmon for sashimi that just came in.

The prices reflect the premium fresh products, but to me it’s worth it knowing I’m getting the highest quality seafood. Expect to pay around $25-$35 per pound of sushi grade salmon fillet.

Fish Counters at Grocery Stores

Not everyone lives near a dedicated seafood market. But if you have a well-stocked grocery store nearby, their fish counter can be another good option for buying sushi salmon.

Let an employee know you need the freshest salmon for eating raw. Have them slice you a skinless fillet from a whole side of salmon. This minimizes surface exposure compared to pre-cut fillets.

Since grocery store seafood counters don’t exclusively sell fish, make sure to double check the salmon’s color, scent, and packaging date for freshness. Prices are usually cheaper than specialty shops at around $15-$25 per pound.

Online Retailers and Delivery

When I can’t make it to my favorite seafood market, I turn to online retailers that overnight ship fresh salmon fillets packed with gel ice to keep it chilled.

The best online seafood companies source salmon the same day it’s caught, immediately ice it, and ship it overnight. I’ve had success ordering from Sitka Salmon Shares which works directly with small-scale salmon fishermen.

Crowd Cow is another great option that delivers fish from independent farms and fisheries to your doorstep. They have handy guided shopping to pick the right salmon for your recipe – including wild-caught sushi grade salmon.

Expect to pay roughly the same or a bit more compared to buying salmon in person. Shipping costs around $40-$50 on top. But the convenience of ultra-fresh salmon delivered to my kitchen is worth the premium.

Big Box Stores

As a last resort, big warehouse retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s can work in a pinch. Check their fresh fish counters for wild Pacific salmon. Employee turnover tends to be high, so an associate may or may not be able to recommend the best salmon for sashimi.

Examine the fish closely yourself and try to pick fattier salmon steaks. Look for deeply red color without brown spots. Smell for a fresh, briny scent, not fishy or sour odors. The low prices around $9-$12 per pound make it tempting, but consistency and quality can be hit or miss.

Local Fishermen

If you live in a coastal area where boats bring in daily catches, buying salmon straight off the docks can yield excellent sushi-grade seafood. Get to know your local fishermen and tell them you’re looking for the freshest fish for sushi.

Ask to see their latest catch and pick salmon that meets the high fat content, color, and freshness for eating raw. You may also be able to special order wild-caught salmon and have it brought in fresh. Buying direct from the fishing boat allows you to know exactly where your salmon came from and who caught it.

What to Look for When Buying Salmon for Sushi

Now that you know the best places to find sushi grade salmon near you, here are a few key tips for picking out the perfect fillets:

• Check the Color – Whole salmon should have bright shiny skin and deep red orange flesh. Dull or brown areas indicate aging.

• Give It a Whiff – Lean in close and smell the salmon. It should have a mild briny or ocean-like scent without any fishy or ammonia odors.

• Press the Flesh – Sushi grade salmon should bounce back when gently pressed and not leave any indentations.

• See the Fat – Look for ample thin white strips of fat marbled throughout the flesh. More fat means more flavor and richness.

• Confirm Freshness – Only buy salmon that is thoroughly chilled on ice and packaged that day. Check sell-by dates.

• Ask Questions – Ask seafood staff when and where the salmon was caught if it’s not clearly marked. This info helps determine freshness.

Proper Handling and Storage of Salmon for Sushi

Once you’ve selected the ultimate sushi grade salmon, it requires careful handling at home to keep it fresh:

• Wrap raw salmon tightly in plastic wrap directly on ice for the trip home. Use an insulated bag or cooler if driving far. Never let it sit unrefrigerated.

• Refrigerate immediately upon arriving home at 36-38°F, ideally in the coldest part of your fridge. Place it on ice in a tray or colander to keep the cold air circulating.

• If not using within 1-2 days, freeze salmon fillets in an airtight container or bag. Thaw in the fridge before use.

• When ready to eat, rinse fillets under cold water and pat very dry. Dryness helps achieve the best texture when cutting sushi.

• Use extremely sharp sushi knives for clean slices without tearing. Dull knives make ragged cuts that oxidize faster.

• Cut only what you’ll eat in one sitting. Refrigerate any leftover fish tightly wrapped in plastic.

• Discard any salmon that smells fishy or has an off odor, appearance, or texture. Don’t risk eating spoiled raw fish.

Follow those tips and your prized sushi grade salmon will be enjoyed to the very last luscious bite!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sushi Grade Salmon

If you’re new to buying fish for sushi, you probably still have some questions. Here I’ll tackle some of the most common FAQs about sushi grade salmon:

Is all salmon safe to eat raw for sushi?

No, not necessarily. It’s key to buy salmon labeled sushi or sashimi grade to ensure it’s safe and suitable for eating raw. Always buy from a trusted, reputable seller.

Can I use smoked salmon for sushi?

Smoked salmon is not intended to be eaten raw. The smoking process cooks the fish, so it should not be used to make sushi or other raw dishes. Stick to raw salmon.

Is salmon at the grocery store sushi grade?

Not always. Some grocery stores sell sushi grade salmon, but you need to read labels and confirm with staff. Many stores don’t differentiate salmon grades.

Is frozen salmon good for sushi?

Yes, if it was properly frozen upon harvest to kill potential parasites and has been kept at a stable freezing temp. Thaw frozen salmon gradually in the fridge before using.

What’s the difference between wild and farmed salmon?

Wild salmon live in oceans and migrate long distances. Farmed salmon are raised in contained freshwater tanks and pens. Both can produce high quality sushi salmon.

Make Delicious Raw Salmon Dishes at Home

Now that you know where to find it, it’s time to turn that gorgeous sushi grade salmon into restaurant-worthy creations at home. Here are some of my favorite homemade recipes:

• Sushi Rolls – Roll up salmon, rice, and fillings like avocado and cucumber in a nori seaweed sheet. Slice and serve with soy, pickled ginger, and wasabi.

• Sashimi – Simply slice the salmon into thin pieces and enjoy with wasabi, soy sauce, and shredded daikon radish for garnish.

• Salmon Poke Bowl – Dice the salmon and toss with ginger, scallions, sesame oil, and sushi rice in a bowl. Top with avocado.

• Salmon Carpaccio – Thinly slice the raw salmon and arrange artfully over arugula salad. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon.

• Salmon Tartare – Finely chop salmon and fold in lemon zest, shallot, capers, and dill. Serve in endive leaves.