Seafood Buying Guide

Navigating the seafood section at your local grocery store can take time and effort. With so many options, how do you know you're making the best choice for your dinner plate? 

This seafood buying guide will equip you with everything you need to know about purchasing seafood. From the different types available to where to buy the best fish to determining freshness, you'll have all the tools to purchase fresh seafood for you & your family. 

The Importance of Buying Fresh, High-Quality Seafood

Not all seafood is the same. The fresh sushi prepared in front of you by an itame, a master sushi chef, is far different from the canned or frozen seafood you can purchase at your local grocery store.  First & foremost, seafood quality impacts flavor. Fresh seafood is more vibrant and has a more complex flavor than canned or frozen. 

Second, the quality of seafood determines whether or not it's safe to consume. While certain seafoods are great additions to a nutritious diet, low-quality or contaminated seafood can, in the short term, make you sick and, over the long term, introduce harmful substances into your body. As consumers, we are responsible for purchasing responsibly and sustainably sourced seafood to support the vitality of marine ecosystems and ensure their long-term success so that we can continue to enjoy seafood.

Types of Seafood

Seafood is a broad classification that includes tens of thousands of species when, in reality, just a few hundred species are regularly consumed. And in most cases, you'll have just a handful of options; let's break those down. 

Fish: Popular varieties include various species of tuna, salmon, cod, and halibut. These seafoods offer distinct flavors and textures and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have health benefits like promoting heart health and optimal brain function. Fish is also a high-quality protein source, low in saturated fat, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, a worthy addition to a healthy meal plan.

Shellfish: Shellfish, including crustaceans (like crab and lobster) and mollusks (like clams and oysters), provide lean protein and are rich in vitamins A, B9 (folate), and B12 and minerals like selenium, zinc, and iodine. Just like fresh salmon sashimi, they also contain omega-3 fatty acids, a known contributor to heart health.

Other Seafood: Cephalopods like squid and octopus are unique seafood that may not appeal to everyone, but their distinctive taste and texture are unique. Mollusks like clams and mussels are flavorful, high in vitamins and minerals, and excellent additions to pasta and soups.

Whatever your seafood preferences are or aren't, you can generally choose from a variety of fish, shellfish, and other types of seafood, whether you're shopping in a supermarket, at a fish market, or online.

Factors to Consider When Buying Seafood

In addition to the cost of seafood, which can be higher than that of other types of meat, several factors must be considered to ensure that you end up with the highest-quality options.  

Freshness

Fish should naturally exude a mild, pleasant, or slight ocean-like smell, not fishy, sour, or ammonia-like. Eyes should be bright and shiny, the flesh should be firm & rebound when lightly pressed, and the gills should be bright red or pink. If you notice any signs of discoloration, darkening, or drying edges in fish filets, save yourself from any future stomach issues, purchase a different fish, or move on to the next item on your grocery list.

Leg movement should be visible for shellfish, such as lobsters and crabs. Even if they've been refrigerated and aren't active, slight movement is necessary. The lobster tail should curl tightly beneath the body, not hang when lifted. Cooked lobsters or crabs should be brightly red without an unpleasant odor. For crab meat, the color varies from white with red or brown tints, depending on the species or body section picked from. The flesh should be clear, pearl-like, and bear little or no odor. 

Sustainability

Sustainable fishing limits the catch volume of species, prevents habitat damage, and conserves the ocean's ecological balance. To ensure you're shopping for sustainable seafood, look for certification labels like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). These certifications testify to the seafood's sustainable source, ensuring you buy responsibly harvested seafood.

Wild-Caught vs. Farm-Raised

Wild-caught and farm-raised seafood each have their pros and cons. Wild-caught seafood often boasts a higher mineral and nutrient content. On the other hand, farm-raised seafood contributes to reducing overfishing, a major sustainability initiative. Consider both aspects when sourcing your seafood.

For example, suppose you take Atlantic salmon vs. Alaskan salmon. In that case, Alaskan salmon is wild-caught and offers a cleaner, more natural diet. In contrast, Atlantic salmon is farmed and provides a more controlled, sustainable approach to seafood production.

Geographic Considerations

In most circumstances, locally sourced seafood tends to be fresher. However, it's not a hard-and-fast rule. Quality and freshness depend on the shipping procedure and the supplier's storage practices.

Seafood sourced from countries like the United States, Iceland, Norway, Britain, New Zealand, and Japan is generally considered safer than other world regions. These countries have more stringent regulations for fishing, farming, and storing seafood, especially compared to fish caught in less developed areas, such as Thailand and Vietnam. 

To clarify, locally sourced and purchased seafood in countries like Thailand and Vietnam can be safe to eat—it's just that the lack of regulations and quality guidelines makes it difficult to guarantee freshness when shipped across the globe. 

For example, we source most of our fresh seafood from Iceland at Nordic Catch. Our salmon is sustainably farmed, and everything else is wild-caught. Each must pass strict quality testing before being stored on ice and transported overnight, arriving first in the US and then to your doorstep without ever being frozen.

Where to Buy Seafood

Even if you live in a landlocked state, hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean or even the Great Lakes, you have several options when buying fresh or frozen seafood.

Local Markets and Fishmongers

Local markets and fishmongers are prime sources of fresh seafood. They have a wealth of knowledge to match the freshness of their products and generally have fresher and more transparent offerings compared to big-box grocery stores and more fish options. They typically label their products more clearly and maintain direct relationships with local fishermen, ensuring you receive the highest-quality seafood. 

Ask if the seafood has been treated with chemicals like sodium tripolyphosphate or salt, which can degrade seafood, making it seem fresher. Knowing the percentage of added moisture in your seafood can also be helpful, as it may affect the final product's taste and texture. They tend to love talking about their craft, which may reward you with the freshest, highest-quality cuts of fish. And often, they'll give you bonus tips for storing and cooking whatever you buy. 

The downside is that they're only available to consumers in coastal towns, meaning they're a non-starter for a little over half of the US population. That's where supermarkets and online retailers come in…

Supermarkets

Supermarkets and grocery stores are where you do most of your shopping. Hence, buying seafood here is likely the most convenient option, though there may be better options. They stock the most common species from various regions. However, local grocery stores have better options than national or regional chains. 

Online Retailers

Dozens of online seafood suppliers can deliver frozen seafood directly to your front door. With more options and the convenience of home delivery, this is likely the best option for the 213 million US citizens who don't live in coastal counties. 

If you purchase seafood online, do your due diligence on the company's sourcing, storage, and delivery regulations. You want to be sure that the fish you receive is exactly what you ordered, whether sushi-grade or frozen.

Want fresh seafood on your doorstep? Build your custom seafood delivery box. 

How to Buy Seafood

Inspecting & Buying Fresh Seafood

Look directly into the eyes. No, seriously. If the seafood item is a whole fish, the eyes should be bright and clear, not cloudy or sunken. This is one of the best indicators of freshness. Also, the fish's skin should look shiny, and there should be no signs of bruising. For fish filets, red-colored bloodlines signify freshness, as any browning on the edges of the fish is a telltale sign of age.

Your nose can decide if you're questioning the freshness based on visual cues. Fresh fish and shellfish should smell mild to slightly oceanic. If the seafood smells overly fishy, rotten, or ammonia-like, it's time to move on. Ironically, fresh seafood shouldn't smell excessively "fishy."

Inspecting & Buying Frozen Seafood

Discard any open, ripped, or crushed package on the edges. Your seafood should be frozen solid with no frost or ice particles inside the package – it should be fully sealed and securely packaged. If the fish is unlabeled, don't hesitate to ask questions about where it was sourced from and whether or not it was sustainably caught or farmed. A grocery store worker may not know the answers to these questions. Still, the manager or another employee can get you the information you want. 

Discoloration of the fish, visible ice crystals, or clumping of the seafood are all warning signs of freezer burn. Seafood exposed to freezer burn is not necessarily unsafe to eat. Still, the taste & texture quality will not meet your expectations. 

Inspecting & Buying Pre-Packaged Seafood

Certifications and labels should provide information regarding the fishing practices used, the location of the catch, and even if it's wild-caught or farm-raised seafood. Look for canned fish caught using sustainable methods such as pole and line caught. Ensure the cans are free of BPA lining, which can affect your body's hormones, causing major health issues over time. And, of course, double-check the expiration date, as eating seafood past its use-by date will likely cause adverse health impacts. 

Greenwashing is prevalent in the seafood industry, with brands like Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, and Crown Prince pushing vague sustainability claims and relying on less-than-transparent certifications. As a conscious consumer, it's best to avoid these. 

How to Read Seafood Labels

Seafood labels hold critical information about freshness, sustainability, source, and nutrition. But admittedly, they're more confusing than other meat labels. To ensure you buy suitable seafood, follow these tips when reading seafood labels.

A common one is "Country-of-Origin Labeling" (COOL). Mandated by law, COOL requires retailers to inform consumers about the source of their seafood - whether it's imported or domestic, wild-caught or farm-raised. This can help you discern whether or not you want to purchase fish from a specific location, be it locally caught or imported from a country with strict fisheries management regulations. In either case, these labels support advancing a sustainable seafood industry. 

Certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) are evidence of responsible fisheries management and sustainable aquaculture practices, making it easier for seafood shoppers to consider sustainability.

The MSC blue label assures consumers that wild-caught seafood is from fisheries that have met MSC environmental standards for sustainable fishing. This means the fishery ensures healthy fish populations, minimizes environmental impacts, and adheres to effective fisheries management.

The ASC label pertains to farm-raised seafood. ASC-certified seafood assures consumers that the seafood farming practices used were responsible and had minimal environmental or social impacts.

You can also get the latest information on sustainable seafood from sites like Seafood Watch.

Storing Your Seafood

Now that you've purchased fresh, frozen, or pre-packaged seafood, you must store it properly to maintain its quality until you're ready to eat. 

Short-Term Storage

Whether wild-caught or farm-raised, fresh seafood should be consumed immediately. But there are moments when you need to refrigerate it for later use. Try to use refrigerated seafood within two days. Always keep your seafood in the coldest part of the refrigerator. If your fridge has a unique fresh drawer, that's perfect. Store it in leak-proof bags or containers to prevent any liquids from contaminating other items in your fridge.

Fresh shellfish, particularly clams, mussels, and oysters, require a slightly different approach. They should be stored in breathable materials, like damp newspapers or a loosely closed bag. This allows them to breathe while retaining essential moisture—do not store shellfish in airtight containers or underwater, as they could suffocate.

Long-Term Storage

Freezing is the best option for storing seafood for over 48 hours. Ensure your seafood is appropriately wrapped and sealed in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. You can also use a vacuum sealer if you have one. The idea is to protect the seafood from air exposure, which can result in freezer burn. Seafood properly packaged can be stored in the freezer for up to six months, but it always tastes best when used sooner rather than later.

You'll need to plan your meals at least one day ahead to allow enough time for the seafood to thaw. Please place it in the fridge the night before cooking to thaw gently. If you forgot to take it out of the freezer the night before or in a hurry, place the seafood in a sealed bag and soak it in cold water to expedite the thawing process. Though the difference is marginal, overnight refrigeration is the preferred thawing method to preserve taste and quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key factors to consider while selecting seafood?

Fresh seafood should look bright and vibrant and maintain an ocean-like smell. It may not be fresh if it appears dull, gray, or aromatic.

How should one interpret seafood labels?

Seafood labels often provide details about the country of origin, environmental certifications like MSC and ASC, and sustainability information. 

How can one tell if vacuum-sealed seafood is terrible?

A foul or sour smell indicates that the vacuum-sealed seafood isn't fresh. Additionally, sliminess or a dull color can also indicate spoilt seafood.

What are popular seafood items in restaurants?

Grilled salmon, lobster bisque, shrimp scampi, crab cakes, seafood paella, clam chowder, and oysters Rockefeller are frequently ordered seafood dishes in restaurants.

What are the purchasing guidelines for seafood?

Fresh seafood should have a mild, fresh smell, clear, shiny eyes, firm flesh, and red gills. Any signs of foul scent or discolored parts indicate poor-quality seafood.

Is there a preference between Atlantic or Pacific seafood?

Generally, there isn't a universal preference between Atlantic and Pacific seafood, as both regions offer diverse and high-quality options. However, there are differences within certain species, such as Atlantic salmon differing from Pacific salmon.