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Sure, we’re a land-locked desert state 700 miles from the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find fresh seafood in Utah. If you know where to look and how to shop, you can find top-quality fare from salmon to scallops, from uni to unagi, right here in our beloved mountain home.
Here are our top tips for how to buy fish in Utah.
Buying from You Local Fishmonger
Harmons, Smith’s, Whole Foods, and Costco all have a limited selection of quality fresh fish and seafood. To get the best deal on fish at any of these stores, follow these guidelines:
1. Ask Questions
Don’t be shy about introducing yourself and letting them know what you’re looking for. Ask where a particular fish came from and when it was caught before you buy it. Find out when your local store receives its seafood shipments. Typically, not all seafood is delivered on the same day of the week, so, for example, the store may receive salmon on Tuesdays and halibut on Fridays. Get to know your store’s schedule so you can buy your fish at maximum freshness.
2. Check the Harvest Tags
Oysters, scallops, mussels, and clams are delivered with attached shellfish tags that show the date of when they were harvested. Ask to see the harvest tag before you buy. If the catch was harvested within the last three days, it should be fine.
3. Buy Whole Fish
The less handling and processing seafood has been through, the fresher it’s likely to be. If you can, buy your fish whole, or have it sliced for you on the spot.
4. Trust Your Senses
Fresh fish should smell like the ocean; it should never have a “fishy” smell. Its eyes should be clear and colorful, not dull or filmy. Gills should be bright red or pink, not brown or grey. Also, the flesh should feel firm and elastic to the touch, not mushy or slimy. If you don’t observe the signs of freshness, the catch may not have been handled and chilled properly, even if it was recently caught.
5. Handle and Store Correctly
If you won’t be taking your seafood purchase home directly, ask for a plastic bag filled with ice to carry it in. Otherwise, have it wrapped in butcher paper for transport. Get it home quickly, refrigerate it immediately in the coldest part of your fridge, and use it within one or two days. Don’t freeze fish if you can avoid it. Be careful not to allow cross-contamination with other foods, and be sure to wash hands, knives, and surfaces that have been in contact with raw fish.
Buying from Aquarius
Salt Lake City is fortunate to have a fish market that does a phenomenal job of providing consistently fresh, top-quality seafood. Located next door to Caputo’s Market & Deli, the Aquarius Fish Co has been going above and beyond for its customers since 2001.
We have already given a shout-out to Aquarius in a previous blog about how to buy fresh ingredients in Utah. However, it’s worth spelling out why we think it’s worth giving Aquarius a try if you plan to buy fish in Utah.
- Aquarius specializes in sushi-grade fish, meaning it’s fresher and higher quality than what you’ll find at most grocery stores.
- Many of their offerings are flown in daily, so they can be on your plate within hours of being caught.
- Along with their traditional offerings like salmon, halibut, scallops, shrimp, oysters, and crab, Aquarius carries hard-to-find seafood like bluefin tuna and exotic shellfish.
- Their team really knows seafood well and are happy to recommend cuts, cooking techniques, and pairing ideas. It’s not a bad idea to simply ask, “What’s good today?” and take their suggestions.
- They offer custom cuts and can help with special requests.
- They also carry ingredients like fresh uni (sea urchin), caviar, and premium-grade eel.
- If you plan to make sushi, they have specialty rice, sauces, and other sushi essentials.
While Aquarius is not the cheapest option to buy fish in Utah, they offer great values for the highest-quality seafood in Utah.
Whether you utilize your local supermarket or choose to give Aquarius a visit, there’s no reason that living in a high mountain desert should keep you from enjoying fresh, quality seafood!
