Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon provides a quick and easy way to cook delicious salmon fillets at home. The salmon comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook straight from the package, making it a convenient weeknight dinner option.
What types of ready to eat salmon does Trader Joe’s sell?
Trader Joe’s offers several varieties of ready to eat salmon fillets:
- North Atlantic Salmon Fillets – skinless, sustainably farmed fillets seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper
- Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillets – wild-caught, skin-on fillets seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper
- Cedar Plank Salmon Fillets – wild-caught salmon seasoned with brown sugar, salt and pepper
- Maple Glazed Salmon Fillets – wild-caught salmon glazed with pure maple syrup and spices
The most basic ready to eat salmon option is the North Atlantic salmon. The Alaskan sockeye, cedar plank, and maple glazed varieties add extra flavor from the seasoning and preparation method.
How is Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon prepared?
Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon fillets are pre-seasoned and vacuum-sealed to lock in freshness. The seasoning varies slightly for each variety but generally includes:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Other spices like brown sugar, maple syrup, garlic, or ginger (for the flavored varieties)
This pre-seasoning makes cooking the salmon quick and easy. No additional seasoning or marinating is required before cooking.
How long does it take to cook Trader Joe’s salmon?
Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon fillets take about 6-8 minutes to cook from frozen. If thawed before cooking, they take only about 3-4 minutes on each side.
Here are the basic cooking times:
- From frozen: 6-8 minutes
- From thawed: 3-4 minutes per side
The thickness of the fillets will affect cooking time. Thicker cuts may take a minute or two longer. Check for doneness by looking for opaque, flaky flesh.
What are the best ways to cook Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon?
You can cook Trader Joe’s pre-seasoned salmon in several ways:
Pan Sear
Pan searing the salmon creates a nice crust while keeping the interior moist and tender. Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets skin-side down first. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until opaque and flaky.
Bake
Baking is an easy hands-off cooking method. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for about 8 minutes per inch of thickness.
Air Fry
Air frying yields crispy salmon in a short time. Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
Grill
Grilling adds nice charred flavor. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates. Cook salmon for 3-4 minutes per side. For thicker fillets, move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
| Cooking Method | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Pan searing | Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 3-4 minutes per side. |
| Baking | Bake at 400°F for 8 minutes per inch of thickness. |
| Air frying | Cook at 380°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. |
| Grilling | Grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. |
What are some serving suggestions for cooked salmon?
Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon fillets pair nicely with various flavors. Consider serving the cooked salmon with:
- Rice or quinoa – Salmon goes well with neutral grains like white or brown rice, quinoa, or couscous.
- Roasted vegetables – Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, or squash.
- Fresh green salad – A light salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers balances the richness of the salmon.
- Sautéed spinach or kale – Quick-cooking greens add color and nutrients.
- Citrus – A squeeze of lemon or lime brightens up the salmon.
- Teriyaki or soy sauce – Brush with teriyaki sauce before cooking or drizzle with soy sauce afterward for extra flavor.
- Mango salsa – Fresh mango salsa adds tropical flair.
- Dill yogurt sauce – Stir chopped dill into plain Greek yogurt for an easy sauce.
Mix and match different flavors and textures to complement the ready to eat salmon fillets.
How should you store leftovers?
Be sure to refrigerate any leftover cooked salmon within 2 hours. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. The cooked salmon can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
To freeze, let the salmon cool completely first, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat leftover salmon gently either on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the microwave, or in a low oven to prevent overcooking.
Tips for the best results
Follow these tips when cooking Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon for maximum flavor and moisture:
- Thaw frozen salmon overnight in the fridge before cooking. This allows for more even cooking.
- Pat the fillets dry with paper towels before cooking to prevent splatter.
- Use a digital food thermometer to check doneness. Salmon is perfectly cooked between 145°F to 150°F.
- Avoid overcooking the salmon. Salmon continues cooking a bit after removing from heat.
- Let the cooked salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.
- Add any marinades or toppings toward the end to prevent burning.
- Cook skin-on fillets skin-side down first to render the fat and achieve crispy skin.
Common mistakes
It’s easy to over or undercook salmon. Watch out for these common mistakes:
- Overcooking – Cooking the salmon too long results in dry, rubbery flesh.
- Undercooking – Not cooking the salmon long enough means the texture will be gummy and wet.
- Uneven cooking – Thicker and thinner parts of the fillet finish at different times.
- Flipping too much – Excess flipping leads to flaking and broken fillets.
- Baking unevenly – Salmon baked on a crowded pan won’t cook properly.
Use a thermometer, watch carefully, and adjust heat as needed to cook the salmon just right.
FAQs
Is Trader Joe’s salmon wild caught or farmed?
It depends on the variety. The North Atlantic and maple glazed fillets are farmed. The sockeye and cedar plank fillets are wild-caught.
Is Trader Joe’s salmon sustainable?
Yes, their salmon is rated green for sustainability by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. The wild-caught salmon is MSC certified.
Is the skin edible on Trader Joe’s salmon fillets?
Yes, the skin on varieties like the sockeye is edible. It gets crispy when pan seared or baked skin-side down. The skin adds flavor and healthy fats.
Can you eat Trader Joe’s salmon raw?
No, Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon is intended to be cooked. For raw consumption, it is safer to use sashimi-grade salmon.
Does the salmon need to be fully thawed before cooking?
Thawing first helps the salmon cook more evenly, but you can cook it straight from frozen. Just extend the cooking time by a few minutes.
Conclusion
With its convenience, versatility and great flavor, Trader Joe’s ready to eat salmon makes an easy, healthy meal with minimal prep required. Follow the suggested cook times and serving ideas to enjoy delicious salmon any night of the week.