Costco is known for selling high-quality salmon fillets at an affordable price. One of the things that makes Costco’s salmon stand out is the layer of butter that tops each fillet. This helps keep the salmon moist and adds flavor. But what exactly is in the butter that Costco uses on their salmon? Here is a quick overview of the ingredients typically found in Costco’s salmon butter.
Butter
The base of the butter is real butter. Costco likely uses a high-quality, salted butter as the main ingredient. Butter helps keep the salmon moist and tender while adding a rich, creamy flavor.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is commonly added to salmon butter. The acidic lemon juice helps balance and brighten the buttery flavor. The touch of citrus enhances the flavor of the salmon.
Garlic
Minced or pressed garlic is another ingredient you’ll often find in Costco’s salmon butter. Garlic adds a savory, aromatic quality. The mellow garlic notes pair perfectly with salmon.
Herbs
A blend of fresh herbs like dill, parsley, basil, and chives is typically used in Costco’s salmon butter. These herbs infuse the butter with flavor and contribute to the fresh taste.
Salt
A pinch of salt is necessary to properly season the butter. The salt enhances the overall flavor.
Pepper
Along with salt, freshly cracked black pepper adds spice and flavor to the butter.
Other potential ingredients
Costco’s salmon butter may also contain extras like lemon zest, capers, honey, mustard, or wine. These optional ingredients all complement salmon beautifully.
Why Does Costco Top Their Salmon with Butter?
There are a few key reasons why Costco chooses to coat their salmon fillets with a layer of butter:
Moisture
The fatty butter helps keep the salmon moist, tender, and flaky as it cooks. Without the butter, the salmon would dry out quickly.
Flavor
Butter boasts a rich, indulgent taste that perfectly matches the flavor of salmon. The herbs and citrus also lend bright, fresh notes.
Browning
The milk solids in the butter promote nice browning and caramelization on the surface of the salmon as it cooks.
Easy to cook
The butter makes it simple for home cooks to achieve delicious, browned, buttery salmon with minimal fuss.
Presentation
Finally, the golden sheen of the butter makes the salmon look extra appetizing.
How is the Butter Applied to the Salmon?
Costco has a streamlined process for topping their fresh salmon fillets with the signature butter blend:
1. Salmon is portioned into fillets
The fresh, sushi-grade salmon is meticulously cut into evenly sized fillet portions. This ensures consistent cooking.
2. Butter is mixed
The butter is whipped together from the standard ingredients (butter, lemon, herbs, garlic, salt, pepper, etc). It reaches the ideal creamy, spreadable consistency.
3. Salmon is layered with butter
Workers use spatulas to evenly layer a schmear of the butter blend over the surface of the salmon fillets. Automated machines may also be used. The butter coats the salmon in an even thickness.
4. Salmon is packaged
The buttered salmon fillets are then vacuum sealed in plastic for retail sale. This protects the salmon and keeps the buttery topping intact.
5. Frozen for transportation
Finally, the packaged salmon is frozen and shipped out to local Costco warehouses across the country. It remains frozen until purchased by shoppers.
Costco Salmon Butter Copycat Recipe
Want to recreate Costco’s famous salmon butter at home? Try this simple copycat recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb salted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Mix together thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. The butter can be made 1-2 days in advance.
- To use, remove salmon from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Pat dry.
- Spread a generous layer of the compound butter evenly over the salmon fillets.
- Broil salmon for 8-12 minutes until opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts of Costco Salmon
Costco salmon is a nutritious protein choice. Here is the nutrition information per 5 oz fillet of Costco’s sockeye salmon:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 270 |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 33g |
As you can see, Costco salmon is high in protein, low in carbs and sugar, and contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The butter adds additional calories, fat, and sodium. Overall, Costco salmon is a smart choice for a well-balanced diet when eaten in moderation.
Salmon Cooking and Serving Tips
Ready to cook up some of Costco’s irresistible salmon? Follow these helpful tips:
Thaw safely
– Thaw frozen salmon overnight in the fridge instead of at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
Get the pan hot
– Preheat your pan or grill to between 400-450°F. The high heat will sear the exterior while keeping the interior moist.
Cook it skin-side down first
– Place the salmon skin-side down in the hot pan or on the grill. This crisps up the skin nicely.
Flip carefully
– After 2-4 minutes once the skin has browned, gently flip the salmon and cook for another 2-4 minutes on the second side.
Don’t overcook
– Salmon is best medium rare. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness and remove it from heat at 110°F.
Let it rest
– After cooking, let the salmon rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to reabsorb so your fish stays tender and flaky.
Add creative toppings
– Play around with fun garnishes! Lemon wedges, pesto drizzle, salsa, or avocado taste amazing on salmon.
Store leftovers properly
– Refrigerate any uneaten salmon within 2 hours of cooking. Eat within 3-4 days.
Conclusion
Costco’s signature salmon topped with a luscious butter blend is a customer favorite for good reason. The quality salmon stays moist and picks up incredible flavor from that buttery coating. While Costco keeps their exact butter recipe a secret, it contains a simple mix of butter, lemon, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Recreate this restaurant-worthy salmon easily at home using the provided copycat recipe. Cook, serve, and enjoy Costco’s famous salmon butter creation for a satisfying, fool-proof meal packed with healthy omega-3s.