Smoked salmons are incredibly delicious and healthy, making them a complete package. If you’re craving a fulfilling meal, this is exactly what you should go for. The dishes are rich in omega 3 fat and the cold smoked texture coupled with great seasoning makes it just perfect.
So let’s explore the market for this amazing fish and review some of the best smoked salmons that you can find. We will also walk you through the factors that you need to consider before making the purchase.
Best Pick
Our Best Pick has to be the Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon thanks to its convenient canned packaging that allows us to take it on the go and incorporate it into meals. This product not only provides sufficient amounts of protein and omega-3 but also offers added calcium thanks to the skin and bones in the smoked salmon.
Budget Pick
Our Best Budget is the Chicken of the Sea Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon, which is an easy-to-use salmon pouch that you can easily include in many meals and snacks throughout your day.
Quick Comparison: Top 8 Best Smoked Salmon
| Product Name | Weight | Protein Content | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon | 7.5 ounces | 11 grams | A+ |
| Chicken of the Sea Premium Pink Salmon | 2.5 ounces | 15 grams | A+ |
| Epic Snack Strips Smoked Salmon | 0.8 ounces per pack, pack of 10 | 7 grams | A+ |
| SeaBear Smoked Salmon Trio | 18 ounces | 13 grams | A+ |
| Fairhaven Bay Seafoods Smoked Salmon Trio | 22 ounces | 14 grams | A |
| Bumble Bee Smoked Salmon Fillets | 3.75 ounces | 20 grams | A |
| Regal Premium King Salmon | 3.5 ounces | 11 grams | A |
| Acme Smoked Fish Salmon | 8 ounces | 12 grams | B+ |
1. Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon
Sometimes, buying a fresh piece of salmon for a quick meal isn't the most ideal situation. The Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon comes in cans for easy storage and use, meaning you can keep it in your cupboard for several months at least before choosing to use it.
It is non-GMO Project Verified and comes from an ASMI certified sustainable fishery, so you won't have to worry about the quality of the fish, and is kosher meaning it is suitable in specific cultures and religions.
The contents of each can are sustainably wild-caught in the United States to ensure oceans aren't harmed in the process and so each salmon is harvested ethically without cruelty and damaging its species and natural habitat.
This smoke salmon is made with the skin and bones included providing high calcium levels in the product. Each can also contains 1.5 grams of omega-3, is packed with protein and is low in sodium, offering many health benefits with each bite.Pros
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Differing from the previous product, the Chicken of the Sea Skinless and Boneless Salmon will leave you with a smooth textured smoked salmon.
You won’t be needing to spend several minutes removing each bone if you don’t enjoy the texture of them. You also won’t find it necessary to drain the can with this one as it doesn’t come with extra juices.
It is a convenient product that can be easily included into your diet for extra protein and omega-3 consumption. This wild-caught pink salmon will not only be ethically easy on your mind but is also 97% fat-free with only 70 calories per serving. If you are conscious of the number of calories you consume, you can enjoy the Chicken of the Sea without any worries or guilt. It is also gluten-free those of you who are mindful of gluten in your diet.
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3. Epic Snack Strips Smoked Salmon
These snack strips by Epic are a wonderful healthy snack that you can keep in your pantry and bags, making them an easy source of protein (9 grams per serving) and omega-3 that you can nibble on throughout the day even if you forget to include salmon in your meals.
The strips are made from high-quality animal protein, clean seasonings and simple dehydration, resulting in a tasty and healthy snack.
The salmon itself is wild-caught and is locally sourced from family-owned fishermen, making sure that each fish is caught ethically.
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4. SeaBear Smoked Salmon Trio
If you’re looking for some variety in your smoked salmon and want to go for multiple flavours at once, the SeaBear Smoked Salmon Trio may be of interest.
This box comes with three individually boxed portions that each contains 16 ounces of smoked salmon. It claims to come in a "flexible can" that can leave the salmon staying good to eat for several years as long as the packaging isn't punctured.
This product comes in three distinct flavours: sockeye, coho and pink salmon. Each packet contains 1lbs of salmon in each, resulting in a mighty 3lbs in total with all three fillets.
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5. Fairhaven Bay Seafoods Smoked Salmon Trio
This smoked salmon, like the one mentioned previously, comes in a package of 3 that can make for a fantastic gift to those with a refined taste for fish. With no more than 130 calories per serving, this smoked salmon trio makes for a guilt-free and healthy meal.
It comes in three flavours that are Sockeye, Peppered Sockeye and Pink are all high in protein, gluten-free, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in sodium.
They are packaged with their natural juices and foil to keep the fish fresh for as long as possible. This product is unique in the way that it comes with the recipes included, making it one step ahead in the smoked-salmon market than any other product. Each packet is also kosher for those who have specific cultural or religious beliefs.
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6. Bumble Bee Smoked Salmon Fillets
This salmon is not only friendly to the KETO diet, but it is also high in protein, gluten-free and is only 160 calories per serving.
Ideal for adding to plates of pasta, salads or on food-trays for guests, the Bumble Bee Smoked Salmon Fillets are versatile and healthy. They can be used for either a meal or as a healthy snack option.
Be careful with this smoked salmon, however, as this particular product includes soy. Make sure to read up on the ingredients of each product before you purchase it if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. Also, If you are wary of your sodium intake, salt has been added to this product.
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The Regal Premium King Salmon is a class of its own. Its premium quality packaging comes with six individual packs of smoked salmons that are quite ready to be served. The salons are rich in flavor, texture, color, and they offer plenty of Omega 3 fatty oils.
These salmons are raised in the clean environment of New Zealand through a sustainable production process. All the salmons in a pack are certified to be non-GMO.
The brand even has a goal to reach a 100% reusable and recyclable production process. It’s incredible, and everyone wants a piece of the salmon.
The fishes are smoked to perfection. The fishes are smoked slowly over the beach wood, cured in sea salt and some brown sugar. Every bite leaves a wonderful aftertaste: a lingering sweet and mild smokiness that you’d definitely want to come back to.
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If you’re looking for a complete package of mild flavor, nice smoky texture, and rich seasoning, then the Acme Smoked Fish Salmon may be the best smoked salmon for you. The smoked salmon brand started as a product sold by a family over a hundred years ago and has become part of many family traditions worldwide.
It is made of Atlantic salmon, to be precise, which retains the authenticity of this seafood. It is as rich in flavor as it is in health benefits.
The smoked salmon comes with a very mild flavor, and it has no artificial preservations added to it. It is also free of any trans fat, which makes it a rather healthy choice. Moreover, each serving comes with 1,100 mg of omega 3 fatty acids, which is quite a mouthful for adults.
In addition, the salmons are pre-sliced. So you can cook and serve them right out of the pack. No additional preparation period will be necessary, which is a big plus for many working people now. You can quickly serve it with a bagel, toast, cracker, or a wrap and have a bite of this delicious smoked salmon on the go.
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Things to Consider Before Buying Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon has been a delicacy for centuries in many cultures all over the world and was especially found in Native American, Roman and Greek cuisine.
It was always important to smoke the salmon to kill off the bacteria in the fish and allow the fish to have a longer shelf-life, especially considering fridges were not readily available as they are today. This is how smoked salmon was invented and made its way into our diets many centuries later.
During the Middle Ages, smoked salmon was largely eaten and banquets and then later added to soups and salads.
Though the first known smoked salmon factory was in Poland in the 7th Century A.D, it became popular in the West in the 19th century.
Now the smoked salmon can be used in many types of meals any time throughout the day and offers many health benefits within it. It is available in many different forms, from salmon jerky to canned salmon to fresh fillets of salmon steak, and many have been seasoned with various flavours for your enjoyment.
It is important to understand a few things before you go off and get your own smoked salmon that we have listed down below. We hope this comes in handy to ensure you're making the best decision that will leave you feeling 100% satisfied with your purchase.
Types of Smoked Salmon
As you know from this article, there is an abundance of smoked salmon that are available in today's world. From canned, boxed, or jerkied, the world of smoked salmon has become wide with options.
What you choose to invest in will depend on what you’ll be using the smoked salmon for. If you’re looking for a quick, no-hassle option you can throw into your bag for a quick lunch at work, perhaps a canned salmon that you don’t need to drain would be a good option.
If you’re looking to feed your family and looking for something more filling and hearty, a salmon steak may be suitable for you.
Think about what you will need the smoked salmon for, who will be eating it, how many people will be eating it, and which recipes you will be using the salmon in.
Consider the life-span of each smoked salmon so that you can make sure the salmon is fresh for as long as possible before using it.
Types of Packaging
The type of packaging your smoked salmon comes in is essential to consider also. This is because different forms of packaging can influence the taste and life of the smoked salmon.
Cans are convenient and safe but may need to be used with a can opener. Packets are mostly safe but you must make sure the packet doesn't get punctured before you decided to eat the smoked salmon within it.
There are some triple salmon options available that are packed in beautiful large wooden boxes, and these make for a fantastic gift to a friend or family member who loves fish. If you have a hectic lifestyle, throwing in a salmon jerky for on-the-go nourishment and an easy-peel packet may be a better alternative.
Flavours
If you don’t enjoy the taste of smoked salmon but would like to get all of the health benefits they provide, it may be useful to consider all of the smoked salmon varieties that come with added flavours and seasonings.
This is also a great option if you are planning to serve the salmon to guests, as you won’t have to prepare the salmon too much before plating them, as most of the work is already done for you.
Some flavours include barbeque, sriracha and more. There are also different types of salmon that can be smoked, including Wild Sockeye and Wild Pink, which all offer a unique taste that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.
Health Benefits
It’s no secret that salmon has an abundance of health benefits within it. Protein is essential for strong muscles, bones, hair, skin, nails and creating more enzymes in your body. Luckily for us, smoked salmon is packed with it. A 100g salmon fillet can provide around 20g of protein, making it an easy way for us to meet our daily protein goals easily.
Aside from the protein, another key health benefits salmon offers is omega-3. Omega-3 is an essential form of healthy fat that helps our bodies to have a better immune system and can improve our mental health. Also, omega-3 is linked to preventing macular degeneration and diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Salmon is packed with both protein and omega-3 and most dieticians recommend eating 2 fillets per week to gain its benefits.
Is too Much Smoked Salmon Bad for You?
There is a general misconception that too much fish could be harmful as they offer high amounts of magnesium. Although magnesium is necessary for our diet, too much of it could cause complications. On top of this, there is a growing concern that smoked foods may cause stomach cancer. There is a small amount of evidence that proves this to be true, but this is only applicable when one consumes far too many smoked foods in their diet overall.
As long as you’re buying your smoked salmon from a reliable source, eating it by the “use by” date and including many fruits and vegetables in your diet also, there shouldn’t be a problem. Fruits and vegetables especially are known to prevent stomach cancer which may give you some peace of mind when eating smoked salmon.
Added Ingredients
You’ve got to be careful, however, as other ingredients such as salt and soy might be added to a particular brand of smoked salmon. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you prefer your fish salty, but if you are conscious of your sodium intake or are allergic to soy, this may cause complications.
To ensure you're eating the healthiest option out there, always make sure you check the ingredients list on any smoked salmon product. Most products only have a handful of ingredients within them that are all-natural and healthy, so you can make sure you're not adding preservatives and unnatural ingredients into your body if you choose not to.
How to Incorporate more Salmon into your Diet
Now that we understand that salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3, is low in calories and delicious, you may be wondering how to incorporate smoked salmon into your diet as a staple food ingredient.
We’ve almost all seen photos and videos of salmon on a plate with a few veggies on the side but truthfully, that isn’t always as appealing to everyone.
Of course, smoked salmon with seasonings, fresh lemon and herbs will always be a good option, but there are several ways to spice up your salmon so you won’t get bored of it too quickly.
You can add the smoked salmon with cream cheese into a blender, for example, and mush them all together to create a beautiful salmon paste. This paste is great to eat with bagels, crackers and English muffins at any time throughout the day.
Another idea you could try is to serve the smoked salmon in a variety of warm pasta or cold salads, which make for a great side-dish or packed-lunch for work.
Conclusion
It’s no wonder that smoked salmon has been celebrated and enjoyed for centuries all over the world. With its rich flavour, many textures, versatility and health benefits, there is little to complain about when it comes to smoked salmon.
We hope that this article has helped you differentiate the different types of smoked salmon available, what to look for when picking out your very own smoked salmon to enjoy, and offers you some ideas on how to incorporate more smoked salmon into your diet - all so you can pick out the best smoked salmon that is perfect for you.