King Salmon vs. Sockeye Salmon
King salmon (also known as chinook) are the largest of the 5 Alaska salmon species with an average weight of 20lbs and a length that can easily exceed 36 inches. Along with their size, they are known for their extraordinarily high omega-3 oil content. In contrast, sockeye salmon (also known as red salmon) average 6lbs in weight and 25 inches in length. They eat more crustaceans and plankton than other species, which gives them a darker red colored meat. Alaska is home to the largest wild-capture fishery for king and sockeye salmon in the world!
King Salmon:
Nutrition
3.0 oz of Alaska King Salmon contains…
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 1476 mg
Protein: 22 grams
Vitamin B12: 2.4 mcg
Vitamin A: 130 mcg
Potassium: 430 mcg
Selenium: 40 mcg
Flavor & texture:
Deep red, ivory, or marbled color
Delicate, large, flakey meat
Rich flavor
Size:
Largest of 5 Alaska salmon species
Average weight: 20lbs
Average length: 36 inches
Learn more about king salmon here.
Sockeye Salmon:
Nutrition
3.0 oz of Alaska Sockeye Salmon contains...
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 730 mg
Protein: 23 grams
Vitamin B12: 3.8 mcg
Vitamin A: 50 mcg
Potassium: 430 mcg
Selenium: 30 mcg
Flavor & texture:
Vibrant red flesh
Firm, smooth texture
Rich flavor
Size:
Second smallest Alaska salmon species
Average weight: 6lbs
Average length: 25 inches
Learn more about sockeye salmon here.
Why choose king salmon over sockeye salmon?
People tend to favor king salmon for their flavor profile, size, and omega-3 rich meat. They are a big fish with a robust and unique taste that provides a nutritional boost to your heart and brain health. While the taste and nutritional facts can vary, so can the methods in which these fish are harvested. For example, most sockeye salmon are harvested through gillnetting or purse seining methods. This means they are caught in nets and brought into the boat in large quantities. At Shoreline Wild Salmon we maintain the highest quality king salmon by fishing with a hook and line harvesting method (also known as trolling). Hook and line caught allows us to handle each salmon one at a time to preserve taste and texture so that it arrives on your doorstep in the best condition possible.
How should I cook king salmon?
King salmon’s high oil content makes it a good candidate for grilling, baking, sautéing, or smoking. When it comes to seasoning, keep it simple. We love cooking king salmon with fresh herbs that highlight its fresh, rich flavor. Other times, a pinch of salt and pepper, minced garlic, and lemon juice will do just the trick!
Why buy king salmon from Shoreline Wild Salmon?
We believe that catching salmon one at a time using hook and line is the most sustainable method of commercial fishing and allows for the highest quality of salmon. Catching and handling salmon one-by-one allows fishermen to create an unbeatable standard for quality the second each salmon leaves the water.
Additionally, we pride ourselves on providing premium wild caught salmon at an affordable price. We are capable of doing this because we operate a shoreline to table concept that sells our Alaska salmon directly to your doorstep from the fisherman we source it from in southeast Alaska. Our frozen king salmon fillets are approximately 1lb in size and are shipped in 5lb, 10lb, or 20lb increments. Stock your freezer today!
