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Salmon is one of the most commonly consumed types of seafood in the United States. While farm-raised salmon can be found year-round, there is a specific season for harvesting wild salmon. In Alaska, for example, the peak season is generally May through September.
Even if farm-raised salmon is available fresh at your local supermarket, it may not always be perfectly fresh, or it may not be the most sustainable choice if that's a priority. But thanks to flash-freezing techniques, insulated packing, and expedited shipping services, customers can enjoy premium quality frozen salmon that is actually fresher than "fresh" year-round. We have done the work for you and selected the best salmon delivery services available nationwide.
Best Salmon Delivery Services of 2022
- Best Overall: Sizzlefish
- Best for Sustainably Farmed: Wulf’s Fish
- Best for Wild: Lummi Island Wild Co-op
- Best for Community-Supported Fisheries: Sitka Salmon Shares
- Best for Variety: Vital Choice
- Best Value: Wixter Seafood
- Best for Smoked Salmon: Regal New Zealand King Salmon Co.
Best Overall : Sizzlefish
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Sizzlefish
Why We Chose It: Sizzlefish has a long company history in the seafood industry and offers a variety of both wild and farmed salmon, including some that is pre-seasoned.
Free shipping on all orders
Variety of plain and pre-seasoned salmon
Mix of wild, farmed, and smoked salmon
Part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program
No options for small orders
Sizzlefish started in the wholesale business in 1985 and now offers home delivery. It provides a mix of farmed and wild salmon, and its selection of pre-marinated fillets also stands out for a no-fuss meal. Farmed salmon is Atlantic salmon sourced from the Faroe Islands, and wild salmon includes Alaskan King, Coho, and Sockeye. Each box contains 14, 4-ounce portions of frozen salmon, and each piece is individually vacuum-sealed. Smoked salmon comes in packages with six, 4-ounce portions, and smoked salmon pate is in quantities of six, 6-ounce portions. All smoked salmon is produced by the renowned company Ducktrap.
For a mix of different salmon fillets that Sizzlefish has to offer, try the Salmon Assortment that includes four portions each of the Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon, Wild Alaska Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Korean BBQ Salmon, and Thai Curry Salmon. Sizzlefish also offers various smoked salmon, including both Cold and Hot Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon, Gravlax style salmon, and Smoked Salmon Pate. Free shipping is included on all orders.
Orders are shipped nationwide via FedEx and arrive frozen packed with dry ice. For those who want seafood regularly, Sizzlefish also offers a customizable subscription program.
Best for Sustainably Farmed : Wulf’s Fish
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Wulf’s Fish
Why We Chose It: Formed in 1926, Wulf’s Fish offers the highest-quality, sustainably farmed salmon in the world.
Long company history
Sustainability commitments
Offers lesser-known cuts to minimize waste
Free shipping on orders over $99
High shipping fees on small orders
Founded in 1926 by Sam Wulf, who owned a small fish shop in Boston, Wulf's Fish has become a national brand several generations later but is still committed to the high-quality standards of its beginnings. Traceability is at the forefront of Wulf's brand; it buys directly from fishermen and partners and can oversee the entire supply chain. Wulf's works with artisanal fishermen and farmers focused on procuring premium, high-quality, sustainable seafood.
Wulf's Fish sells various seafood but has an impressive assortment of sustainably farmed salmon, highlighted by its partnership with CleanFish. Its Nordic Blu variety from Norway is the highest-rated farmed Atlantic salmon globally, rated "Green—Best Choice" by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program, the only marine net-pen farmed Atlantic salmon with this rating. Nordic Blue is sold as fillets and salmon bellies, collars, skinless mini-portions, poke packs, and salmon burgers, ensuring most parts of the fish are used to minimize any potential waste.
Other varieties of farmed salmon include Ora King from New Zealand and Loch Duart from Scotland. Although not technically salmon, the Chalk Stream Trout from England is an excellent alternative that's similar in flavor. Fish is frozen with a technique known as "Super Freezing," which maintains pristine quality and freshness and is packed in eco-friendly boxes and packing materials before being shipped nationwide via UPS or FedEx. Free shipping is available for orders over $99.
Best for Wild : Lummi Island Wild Co-op
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Lummi
Why We Chose It: Lummi Island Wild Co-op uses a specialized historical fishing method to catch wild Salmon off the coast of Washington state.
Unique fishing method
Great value for a high-quality product
First solar powered fishery in the world
Variety of wild salmon cuts and products
Money-back guarantee
High flat-rate shipping costs for small orders
Lummi Island Wild Co-op, located in Washington state, uses a specialized passive fishing method known as reefnetting to catch its salmon in the Salish Sea. Reefnetting is a historical fishing method used by Indigenous fishing communities and is considered one of the world's most sustainable fishing methods. The reefnet fishery used by Lummi Island Wild is a cooperative effort with Lummi Nation tribal members. Reefnetting uses the flood tide to gently guide salmon into a netted live well, allowing for any unwanted bycatch to be released unharmed back into the sea. Salmon are also allowed to rest in the live well to release any potential lactic acid accumulated in their flesh before they are individually bled, resulting in superior clean flavor.
Lummi Island Wild offers various wild salmon species for home delivery, including sockeye, coho, keta, king, and ivory king, subject to availability. In addition to premium fillets, Lummi Island Wild also sells salmon steaks and salmon split tail portions, as well as smoked wild salmon and ikura (salmon caviar roe). Prices are highly competitive, especially for such a high-quality, specialized product. Single, 6-ounce portions of wild salmon range from $10 to $16, with increased savings on larger quantities. Free shipping is available on orders over $99. Salmon will ship frozen and arrive within one to two days.
Best for Community-Supported Fisheries : Sitka Salmon Shares
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Sitka Salmon Shares
Why We Chose It: Sitka Salmon Shares provides sustainable wild Alaskan salmon through its network of community-supported fisheries.
Community-supported fishery model
Sustainability practices
Variety of box sizes
Limited year-round inventory
Alaska-based Sitka Salmon Shares exemplifies the community-supported fishery (CSF) model, a small-boat fisherman network committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable fishing practices. By buying from the Sitka Shares CSF, your purchase directly benefits fishing families, increasing each catch's value. Much of the seafood that Sitka Salmon Shares sells is brought into the local port of Sitka. Some species come in from other regions where they are native in Alaskan and North Pacific waters, like sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay. In any case, each partner in the CSF is aligned with the same values of transparency and traceability, using low-impact fishing gear to catch fish in healthy Alaskan fisheries.
With the CSF model, customers have the option to purchase specific themed shares in advance of the fishing season, which include 4.5 to 5 pounds of blast-frozen seafood per month in individual, vacuum-sealed portions for easy thawing. Family Shares and Neighborhood Shares with multiple boxes are also available. Share options feature salmon and whitefish. For those who just want salmon, the Sitka Salmon Share is the best bet. You can also shop the Freezer section of the website, which offers a limited availability supply of one-time order select seafood boxes year-round.
Sitka was scheduled to change its subscription length from nine months to a year in 2022 and roll out new features such as monthly box species projections to customize your experience.
Best for Variety : Vital Choice
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Vital Choice
Why We Chose It: Vital Choice has been in the sustainable wild seafood business for over 20 years and has the largest variety of salmon in terms of species and products made with salmon.
Established company since 2001
Committed to sustainable sourcing
Thousands of excellent customer reviews
Money-back guarantee
Extensive variety of items
Limited information on specific sourcing partners
More expensive than some others on our list
Founded in 2001, Vital Choice is a trusted source of premium wild seafood that prioritizes food for the individual's health and the planet. Vital Choice only offers environmentally responsible seafood that has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or is listed as a Best Choice or Good Alternative by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. Furthering its mission, a portion of profits are donated to foster environmental stewardship. Vital Choice offers 15 different seafood species, a variety of shellfish, and canned and pouched fish, but it is well-known for its wild salmon.
Customers can purchase Sockeye salmon, Pacific King salmon, Coho salmon, Copper River Salmon, Alaskan Keta Salmon, salmon roe, salmon jerky, smoked salmon, canned and poached salmon, salmon burgers, salmon sausage, and even salmon bacon. Premium cuts of salmon can be purchased as single portions or by multiples, with discounted pricing on larger orders, including 5-pound boxes that are great for stocking up. Whole skin-on sides are also available. Burgers, sausages, and similar prepared items are sold in packages of multiples. Free shipping is available on orders over $99.
Best Value : Wixter Seafood
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Wixter Seafood
Why We Chose It: Wixter Seafood offers frozen wild and farmed salmon as well as smoked salmon that's conveniently packaged for small orders.
Offers both wild and farmed salmon
Sourcing practices
Packaging
Ability to order small amounts or larger-value bundles
Shipping not included on small orders
Wixter Seafood began as a neighborhood market in Chicago and has since expanded into e-commerce to provide various frozen, smoked, and tinned seafood to your doorstep. Wixter Seafood offers a mix of premium cuts of both wild salmon and farmed salmon and cold-smoked salmon, all sustainably farmed, free of antibiotics and preservatives, and harvested at peak season. Frozen salmon is conveniently packaged, individually vacuum-sealed in portions of two 6-ounce fillets per pouch. And at just $16.99 for 12 ounces of wild sockeye salmon, this is a great value. Check out the bundles and subscription options for even greater savings.
Wixter Seafood offers farmed Norweigan Atlantic Salmon, Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, Smoked Norweigan Salmon, and Frozen and Smoked Norweigan Steelhead (steelhead is a type of trout that's a bit more delicate and has a lower fat content). All packages come with clear traceability information, including the country of origin, harvest location, harvest method, and sustainability certification, if applicable. In addition to salmon, Wixter Seafood sells various other species and an impressive selection of high-quality tinned seafood that's worth exploring before checking out. The shipping cost for small orders varies based on location, but it's free for all orders over $99.
Best for Smoked Salmon : Regal New Zealand King Salmon Co.
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Regal Salmon
Why We Chose It: Regal King Salmon offers a variety of cold- and hot-smoked salmon, all made with sustainably sourced New Zealand King Salmon.
Ingredient transparency
Variety of wood roasted and cold smoked
Easy ordering on Amazon
Recyclable and reusable packaging
Only farmed salmon (no wild options)
Regal New Zealand King Salmon Co. raises its Ora King Salmon in the pristine cold waters of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds. The New Zealand King Salmon industry is the first marine-farmed salmon to achieve the Green/Best Choice rating by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. Regal King Salmon is also known for its superior flavor, color, texture, and high omega-3 fatty acid content. Unlike many smoked and ready-to-eat salmon producers that purchase salmon from other vendors, Regal has complete ownership of its supply chain, making it easier to maintain quality. The detailed FAQ section on Regal's website explains its farming practices and has information about the salmon it sells, including the omega-3 content.
Regal makes four varieties, each of wood-roasted salmon and cold-smoked salmon. The wood-roasted salmon stands out for its subtle smoky flavor on the outside and soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture on the inside, and is great both hot or cold. The cold-smoked salmon is cured and then smoked at low temperatures before it's sliced and packaged. The varieties range in smoke intensity and are rated from very mild to very rich to guide your purchase. For a milder smoke flavor, opt for the Beech Wood smoked salmon; for a richer smoke flavor, the Manuka Wood is delicious. The other two flavors are Pastrami Style Smoked Salmon and Dill Cured Smoked Salmon. All Regal New Zealand King Salmon packs can be purchased directly from Amazon; wood-roasted is sold in quantities of four, 3.5-ounce portions, while smoked salmon comes in of four, six, or eight, 3.5-ounce packs.
Final Verdict
Whether you want wild salmon, farmed salmon, salmon burgers, salmon for poke or sashimi, smoked salmon, or salmon roe, the companies on this list can provide it—and more. They all deliver frozen products, similar to other seafood delivery services, but due to selective fishing methods, processing, and freezing, the quality is exceptional and is likely even better than what you can find fresh (unless you're buying from a local dock).
For those who only want wild salmon, Lummi Island Wild, Sitka Salmon, and Vital Choice all deliver wild Pacific salmon. For those who prefer the flavor of farmed salmon but want to make sustainable choices, Wulf’s Fish is your best bet. For a mix of both options and great value, Wixter Seafood is our pick. Regal New Zealand King Salmon is our go-to for ready-to-eat wood-roasted and smoked salmon. Lastly, Sizzlefish is our choice for best overall due to its variety of wild and sustainably farmed fish and a reputable monthly subscription service.
Compare the Best Salmon Delivery Services
Company Name | Farmed or Wild | Minimum Quantity for Home Delivery |
---|---|---|
Sizzlefish
Best Overall |
Both | 12 to 14 4-oz portions for salmon fillets (48-56 oz) |
Wulf’s Fish
Best for Sustainably Farmed |
Farmed | 16 oz for skin-on fillets |
Lummi Island Wild Co-Op
Best for Wild |
Wild | Single 6-oz portion |
Sitka Salmon Shares
Best for Community-Supported Fisheries |
Wild | 4.5-lb box |
Vital Choice
Best for Variety |
Wild | Single 6-oz portion |
Wixter Seafood
Best Value |
Both | Single package of 2 6-oz fillets (12 oz) |
Regal New Zealand King Salmon Co.
Best for Smoked Salmon |
Farmed | 4-pack (3.5 oz each) |
FAQs
What Does 'Sustainably Sourced' Mean?
Sustainably sourced fish can refer to both wild and farmed fish (also known as aquaculture) and refers to seafood that is raised and/or sourced with minimal negative environmental and social impacts. When referring to wild-caught seafood, sustainably sourced means that the seafood being targeted is abundant, frequently reproduces, or is not already overfished; the fish was caught using fishing methods that have a low impact on the environment; and the fishing methods result in minimal unwanted bycatch (seafood that is caught in addition to the seafood being fished but not kept).
When referring to farmed seafood, sustainably sourced indicates the fish were raised without additives such as non-therapeutic antibiotics, chemicals, or pesticides, and are raised in well-managed marine net pens with low rates of farmed fish escaping into the open ocean. Indoor recirculating tanks with wastewater treatment are also considered a “Best Choice” by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program. In order to minimize the risk of pathogens and to keep fish healthy, pens should not be overcrowded; you may see the terms “pen density” or “low-density net pens” which refers to the concentration of fish allowed within the pen.
For both wild and farmed seafood, the most sustainable options also take into account the social and economic impacts that bringing the seafood to market has on the local fishing community.
Where Can I Learn More About Seafood and Sustainability?
The Monterey Bay Aquarium and Ocean Wise are great resources for learning more about sustainable seafood choices, while the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a widely respected organization that sets industry standards for sustainable seafood. Many retailers and restaurateurs rely on the MSC-certified logo to indicate they are selling sustainable seafood.
Why Is All the Fresh Salmon Sent Frozen and Not Actually Fresh?
The freshest fish is fish that is caught yourself or if you live near a local fishing community, caught and sold within a couple of days. However other fresh fish found in retail markets may be over a week old because of processing and distribution time. It also might have been previously frozen and thawed. The salmon that is shipped frozen from the companies on this list has been flash-frozen (otherwise known as blast frozen), meaning it is frozen with special equipment that freezes at very low temperates very quickly. Because this is done very soon after fish is harvested and processed, it helps maintain the salmon’s flavor and texture, prolongs shelf life, and minimizes any risk of bacteria growth, which is particularly important if you're using salmon in any kind of raw preparation like poke or sashimi. Because salmon fillets are often individually vacuum-sealed, they can be thawed as needed and will likely taste even better than “fresh” seafood that is days or weeks out of water.
What Is the Best Way to Thaw Frozen Salmon?
The best way to thaw frozen salmon is overnight in the refrigerator or about six to eight hours before you plan to prepare it. Place the package on a plate or shallow pan in case any liquid is released during thawing. For even faster thawing, you can also submerge the vacuum-sealed pouch in very cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Do not leave fish at room temperature to thaw because this increases the risk of bacteria formation.
How We Chose the Best Salmon Delivery Services
There are dozens of seafood purveyors and vendors offering salmon for home delivery. The selections on this list were chosen based on the following factors: customer and industry reviews, company history, sourcing and sustainability practices, harvesting and freezing methods, and overall product quality. Variety, in terms of actual salmon products as well as package sizes, were also taken into consideration, along with shipping costs. For example, Wixter Seafood stands out because it offers both wild and farmed salmon available to ship in both small and large quantities. Wulf’s Fish was chosen for its availability of highly sustainable Nordic Blu Salmon and no-waste cuts. And Regal King Salmon was selected for its mix of wood-roasted and smoked salmon.