Outback Steakhouse is loved for its hearty grub and Aussie inspiration. If salmon is your go-to fish dish, you may wonder if Outback’s salmon offering is wild-caught. With concerns over sustainability and health benefits, the source matters.
In this article, we’ll uncover the truth on Outback’s salmon. Is it wild-caught Alaskan goodness or something else? Let’s find out!
Outback Salmon is Farm-Raised Norwegian
After some digging, it seems Outback Steakhouse uses farm-raised Norwegian salmon from the Atlantic Ocean. The salmon is not wild-caught.
With seafood mislabeling being common, even restaurants may be unaware they are serving farmed instead of wild salmon But as consumers, we must be informed on the source of our food
While farm-raised salmon is still tasty and nutritious, there are some drawbacks compared to wild-caught. Understanding the differences helps us make the best choices for health and sustainability.
Why Knowing the Salmon Source Matters
The choice between wild-caught and farm-raised salmon depends on your priorities. Here are some key factors to weigh:
Nutrition – Wild salmon has more omega-3s, while farmed has higher omega-6s and fat.
Contaminants – Both can contain mercury, but farmed may have higher toxin levels.
Sustainability – Some wild fisheries are unsustainable but others are environmentally restorative. Farms vary too.
Taste – Most prefer the richer flavor of wild salmon, but tastes differ.
Cost – Wild caught salmon costs more due to limited availability.
For those focused on sustainability and nutrition, wild-caught Alaskan is ideal. But farm-raised has improved and remains a tasty option.
Difference Between Wild-Caught and Farm-Raised Salmon
To make the best choice for you, it’s important to note a few key differences:
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Diet – Wild eat algae, krill and more. Farmed eat processed feed with astaxanthin for color.
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Source – Wild is Pacific, available seasonally. Farmed is Atlantic, available year-round.
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Price – Wild is pricier given seasonal availability.
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Flavor – Wild has a robust, savory flavor. Farmed is milder.
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Fat Content – Farm-raised salmon has a higher fat content and is more tender.
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Sustainability – Some wild fisheries are unsustainable while some farms are eco-friendly.
The choice depends on your priorities – health, cost, sustainability and taste preferences.
Outback’s Salmon Sustainability Efforts
Outback is part of Bloomin’ Brands, which commits to responsible fishing practices and sustainable seafood. However, it is unclear if Outback salmon itself is sustainably sourced.
Sustainability is complex – various guidelines and compromises exist to get seafood on plates. Restaurants can prioritize by:
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Choosing underutilized wild species from small fisheries
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Picking options with 3rd party sustainability certifications
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Implementing broader sustainability like building reuse and waste reduction
While Outback’s salmon may not be the best eco-choice, they likely integrate sustainability across their business in various ways.
How to Identify Wild-Caught Salmon
Since Outback serves farmed salmon, other tips help identify wild-caught:
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Origin of Alaskan means high chance of being wild-caught
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Look for deep reddish-orange color rather than pink
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Less fatty marbling since wild salmon swim against currents
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Rich, complex savory flavor rather than mild
Your best bet is choosing salmon labeled “wild-caught Alaskan” for the healthiest and most sustainable option.
Other Sustainable Options at Outback
According to Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch, some sustainable picks at Outback include:
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Farmed tilapia and arctic char
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Wild-caught albacore tuna and rockfish
Remember, Seafood Watch updates regularly, so check for changes when dining. Choosing sustainable seafood helps the environment and food supply for future generations.
Why Outback Chose Farm-Raised Salmon Revealed
With consumers increasingly conscious of sustainability and health, Outback’s choice to serve farm-raised Atlantic salmon may seem puzzling. Why not opt for wild-caught?
A few key reasons explain Outback’s salmon selection:
Availability – Atlantic farm-raised salmon can be sourced year-round. Wild Pacific salmon is seasonal with a short summer supply.
Cost – With global demand rising, wild salmon is pricier and more limited. Farm-raised costs less.
Consistency – Aquaculture environments allow for consistent size and quality. Wild-caught varies more.
Mild Taste – Outback caters to a wide audience who may find wild salmon too fishy. Farm-raised has a milder flavor.
Familiarity – Atlantic salmon is what most people are accustomed to. Some don’t realize Pacific salmon species even exist!
While not the most sustainable choice, farm-raised Norwegian salmon allows Outback to provide affordable, consistent salmon year-round. For them, it makes business sense.
Does Farm-Raised Salmon Deserve Its Bad Rep?
Farm-raised salmon has gotten a bad environmental and health reputation at times, but the reality may be more nuanced:
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Sustainability – Standards have improved at many farms, with some now ocean-based and low waste.
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Contaminants – Toxin levels have been reduced through better regulations and feed.
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Nutrition – While omega-3s are a bit lower, farmed salmon still has more than many foods.
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Taste – Yes, wild has a richer flavor, but modern processing has improved farmed salmon taste and texture.
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Cost – Lower cost makes salmon accessible, especially with wild prices rising.
No food source is perfect. But vilifying farmed salmon misses how it can be an ethical choice – especially with technology and regulations improving.
Making the Best Salmon Choice for You
With all this information, where does that leave you on making the right salmon choice? Here are some tips:
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Consider your priorities – health, taste, cost, sustainability. There’s no universally “correct” option.
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Check labels and ask questions when dining out to understand salmon sources.
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Balance tradeoffs – farmed salmon has advantages despite drawbacks.
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Look for the MSC label to identify the most sustainable wild or farmed seafood.
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Avoid salmon labeled “Atlantic” to reduce the chance of getting farmed.
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Try lesser-known wild salmon species like sockeye and coho for sustainability.
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Focus on eating a balanced diet with seafood as just one component.
Educating yourself on the nuances helps make a salmon choice aligned with your individual needs and values. What matters most is making seafood part of an overall healthy and ethical diet.
So while Outback’s salmon isn’t wild-caught, you can still enjoy their filet knowing the tradeoffs. Or opt for a different sustainable fish choice from their menu. Because when it comes to salmon, one type isn’t necessarily better – it just depends on what’s best for you!
Farm Raised Salmon EXPOSED…what you’re actually eating.
Is wild salmon extinct?
Wild salmon is almost extinct on the East Coast and, the Times reported, West Coast wild catches are restricted by quotas. As a result, 90 percent of the salmon sold in the United States is farmed.
How do you know if salmon is wild?
If you’re ordering it at a restaurant, you can spot wild salmon even before you taste it — because the menu will say so. “Wild caught fish are a selling point, so if the description doesn’t say wild, 9 out of 10 times it’s farm-raised,” says Miller. There are also trusted brands, such as Copper River Salmon, that you can ask for by name.
Are farmed salmon dangerous?
The levels of mercury and other trace metals found in wild and farmed salmon do not appear to be harmful when either type is eaten in moderation. Due to the high density of fish in aquaculture, farmed fish are generally more susceptible than wild fish to infections and disease.
Did the times eat wild salmon?
The Times then had the salmon tested and learned that six of the eight pieces of fish purchased were farmed, not wild. It appears that the suspicions of the food writer at the Times were raised by the fact that so much wild salmon was on the market during the off-season (from November to March) when the fish is not widely caught.