There are some things I always try to keep in the freezer, and this Trader Joe's Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter is one of them. I don't eat it every week, but when life gets busy (which is like... always), it's a total lifesaver. I can pull out a piece, toss it in the air fryer, and have a healthy dinner on the table in 10-15 minutes with zero mess and no marinade to clean up.
Yes, it's more expensive than buying a big pack of salmon at Costco or getting a whole fillet from another store and cutting it up yourself. I know that. I do that too, especially when we're trying to save a bit. But this one wins on convenience, and sometimes that's what matters most.
Taste and Texture
Each fillet comes pre-portioned and individually vacuum-sealed, and it already has a dollop of lemon herb butter on top. The butter melts into the salmon as it cooks and adds this nice buttery, garlicky, citrus flavor without being too strong. I wouldn't call it gourmet, but it's solid-especially for something frozen. Like fresh salmon? Try Trader Joe's Salmon Pinwheels.
The texture is actually really good for a frozen salmon fillet. It cooks up moist, not rubbery or dry like some other frozen fish I've tried. In the air fryer, it gets a slightly crisp edge while staying flaky inside. My kids will even eat it without much fuss, especially if I pair it with rice and roasted veggies or a scoop of mashed potatoes.
I've seen reviews saying the flavor can be a little mild, but for me, that's kind of a plus. It's easy to dress it up with a sprinkle of fresh dill or a little extra squeeze of lemon if you want to go fancier. But it's also great straight out of the package.
Preparation
Air frying is definitely my go-to method here. I usually cook it at 390-400°F for about 10-12 minutes straight from frozen. No thawing needed. The butter melts, the fish cooks evenly, and clean-up is a breeze. I use parchment liners or foil in the air fryer basket so there's nothing to scrub after.
You can also bake it in the oven, which works just fine-takes a bit longer though. The package says you can pan-fry it too, but I don't bother with that. Too much babysitting. If I'm pulling salmon from the freezer, I want it to be easy.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- So convenient. Like, actually convenient-not fake convenient that still takes 45 minutes.
- Pre-seasoned but not over-seasoned
- Great freezer staple when you need a healthy meal in a pinch
- Air fries beautifully-crispy edges, moist inside
- Individually vacuum-sealed fillets
Cons:
- Definitely more expensive per piece than buying salmon in bulk or at Costco
- A little small for big eaters-you might want to make two
- The butter flavor is nice, but not super bold (fine for kids, might need a flavor boost for adults)
Location in Store
You'll find it in the freezer section, usually near the frozen seafood-sometimes right next to the shrimp stir-fry or those frozen mahi mahi burgers. It comes in a small box with a clear image of the salmon and lemon on the front, and inside you'll get one frozen fillet.
Similar Products
If you like this one and want more seafood options from Trader Joe's, here are a couple other frozen staples I'd recommend:
- Trader Joe's Miso Glazed Cod - a bit more savory, and great if you like a slightly richer flavor
- Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel Seasoned Salmon - different vibe, but also easy to cook
- Trader Joe's Crushed Garlic Cubes- okay not salmon, but I use the garlic cubes with this salmon all the time for extra flavor
Final Verdict
This is one of those things I always grab "just in case," and then thank myself for later. Is it the cheapest way to eat salmon? Nope. But it's fast, tasty, and makes weeknight dinners so much easier when I'm juggling a million things and don't want to deal with thawing, marinating, or washing an oily cutting board.
I wouldn't serve it at a dinner party (unless you dressed it up with sides), but for a regular weeknight meal? It totally works. Bonus: my kids eat it without complaining, which is basically gold.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 - loses one star for the price, but I keep buying it anyway)
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