“Sushi grade” is a term used to define the quality of fish that is acceptable for raw, cooked dishes (like sushi).
The term sashimi-grade refers specifically to raw tuna or any other type of fish being at least one specific diameter in order to be considered suitable for sashimi.
The most common defined widths are 3/32 (3%) and 1/8 (8%). Sashimi-grade fish are typically frozen, preserved, and sold whole, while sushi-grade fish are typically filleted and sold fresh.
Is grocery store fish safe for sushi?
No. But generally, grocery store fish has died from bacteria and its flesh has been preserved with chemicals such as salt, or ammonia to prevent decomposition.
Is supermarket a sushi-grade fish?
No. Sushi restaurants that carry sushi-grade fish usually sell their raw fish in the same fridge that is used to store food for other types of customers, like regular grocery stores.
Markets that sell commercial seafood, such as fish markets and grocery stores, don’t sell sushi-grade fish.
Is Trader Joe’s sell sushi-grade fish?
No. However, some supermarkets have talked about selling fresh fish someday. Currently, they are using frozen tilapia and cod.
They also carry fresh shellfish, but these products are not appropriate for use in sushi dishes.
Is Costco fish sushi grade?
No, Costco sells fresh fish in a handful of locations, but it is not suitable for raw consumption.
Is Costco frozen tuna sushi-grade?
No, all Costco frozen ahi tuna are unfrozen, thawed, and processed. They are also treated with added sodium (salt) and phosphate to enhance color and flavor.
They are not appropriate for raw consumption, only for cooked dishes like ahi tuna poke or sashimi.
Is Aldi sell sushi-grade fish?
No, Aldi stores sell fresh fish at select locations in Florida and Texas. However, these products are not appropriate for raw consumption.
Does Aldi sell thawed frozen tuna?
No, all Aldi frozen tuna is actually fresh fish that has been thawed and processed. So it is actually fresh fish after processing, not frozen fish that has been thawed.
Only certain locations sell this product anyway.
Does Walmart carry sushi-grade fish?
No, Walmart does not carry all of the sushi-grade types of fish that most sushi restaurants use.
Instead, they carry cut-up fresh fish with names such as “Snapper Mix.
This isn’t actually a specific type of fish, however, it is often a mix of several types of fish.
Is all ahi tuna sashimi-grade?
No, only Bluefin and yellowfin are considered sashimi grade.
Does Trader Joe’s sell ahi tuna?
No, they no longer sell fresh fish because they are focusing on their packaged food instead.
They still sell frozen mussels and razor clams, which can be used in recipes like cioppino or fried calamari.
Can I use supermarket tuna for sushi?
No, only tuna with a thick layer of fat on it is considered sashimi grade. The rules for tuna are the same as for an expensive piece of beef: the more marbling (fat), the better.
Why did Trader Joe’s stop selling sushi?
Trader Joe’s stopped selling fish because they decided to sell more food that people could prepare at home instead of only buy-and-prepare.
Plus, fish requires refrigeration, and having a fish counter required them to spend money on more staffers.
Is seaweed always safe for sushi?
No. While most of the time the seaweed is safe for sushi because it’s always sold dried and can be cleaned before being wrapped around fresh seafood.
However, some types of seaweed are highly poisonous. For example, red algae cause numbness followed by paralysis, vomiting, and diarrhea as well as death in extreme cases.
Is raw fish dangerous to eat?
Only if you don’t know how to prepare it or prepare it incorrectly.
All of the ingredients used for sushi are safe for consumption in such a way that they keep their nutrients and beneficial properties, even after being cooked.
Though I’m not a chef by profession, I’ve been cooking and eating sushi since childhood.
I’m also happy to help you find the highest-quality sushi-grade fish near you.
Conclusion
The world is running out of fish. Never mind all the plastic and chemical pollution in our oceans and lakes. Never mind all the fish farms pumping out mass amounts of water, waste, chemicals.
Never mind fish farms cause untold death for sea life by ripping up their habitat for construction materials and pesticides.
Never mind all that gross stuff. The world is running out of fish because there simply isn’t enough left to feed us anymore…or at least it’s going to run out soon if we’re not careful as a species.
