I keep seeing this Trader Joe's Lightly Smoked Salmon when I visit the store. It wasn't all that expensive. None of their canned fish is, really. The applewood smoke claim made it sound appealing. For $4, I took a chance.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 3.5/5.
Seems to be quite a bit of headroom filled with oil that could have easily been more fish. According to the can, the oil is about 30% of the contents. It doesn't really look like what one would expect a smoked salmon to look like. (Compare to the Wild Planet.) The oil is neutral, and doesn't taste of the fish, nor smoke, at all. The meat was stuck firmly to the can, and would not lift out in any large pieces. A taste of the fish reveals it is buttery soft and mild in flavor. But no trace of the promised applewood smoke. I also thought it could have used a little more salt.
The can says farm-raised and from Chile. Which explains why it's quite reminiscent of supermarket variety fresh salmon, but just swimming in oil. The can says EVOO, but it had none of the notes one looks for in a good extra virgin. Don't get me wrong, this wasn't bad, I just think the can over-promises and the contents under-delivers.
Main Takeaways
- Applewood smoke MIA
- Tender, mild fish but needed salt
- Not the smoked salmon you're thinking of that costs three times more
Brand: Trader Joe's
Description: Salmon in EVOO, lightly smoked
Species: Atlantic salmon, farmed
Country of Origin: Chile
Source: FAO N/A
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 5 oz.
Price Range: $4