Expert Weighs In On TikTok's Sushi-Grade Salmon Hack
That's when I stumbled upon the video. The one claiming you can turn grocery store salmon into something sushi-grade, with nothing more than a freezer session and a little confidence.
And no, we're not talking fancy-schmancy salmon from a premium market with a raw dairy fridge and seven varieties of Manuka honey. We're talking about the everyday, frozen fillet you toss in the oven on a tired Tuesday night because you're just trying to hit your protein goal. The one nestled between the Everything But The Bagel seasoning and the Cauliflower Gnocchi at Trader Joe's. The one stacked high in the back of Costco's freezer aisle. That salmon.
Enter: @photogami (aka The Sushi Guy), who's built a following around 'making sushi accessible to everyone.'
His method goes a little something like this:
Another method floating around (shoutout @gwynethyuma) involves defrosting the salmon, curing it in a sugar-salt rub for 40 minutes, rinsing it off, patting it dry, and going full sashimi mode. Delicious? Maybe. Divisive? Absolutely.
So, is this actually safe? Or just another chaotic Internet hack best left to trad wives, wellness girlies, and people who unironically own fishbone tweezers?
Let's talk science. And by 'let's,' I mean I asked Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., food scientist and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting, because I personally don't trust my gut instincts when it comes to raw fish and intestinal worms.
Hey, you! Wanna cook 7,500+ recipes in step-by-step mode (with helpful videos) right from your phone? Download the free Tasty app right now.
'It depends on the source of the salmon,' says Le. 'Wild salmon cannot safely be eaten raw, since there is a risk of parasitic infection. Farmed salmon can be safe if they are fed formulated feed that does not contain any parasites.'
Translation: That wild-caught, line-and-reel, Pacific Northwest salmon that lived its best life out at sea? Amazing in theory. Absolutely not for your DIY sushi night. Farmed salmon, on the other hand, is bred in controlled environments, often with pelletized diets that dramatically reduce the risk of parasites. But — and this is a big but — you still need to freeze it properly, even if it's farmed and looks like it's ready for its Nobu debut.
The FDA's guidelines for parasite destruction (yes, that's the actual term) include freezing your fish at one of the following:
So yes, you can technically turn grocery store salmon into something you can eat raw, as long as you follow the freezer protocol like your life depends on it. Because, well, it kind of does. Now, let's address the sea bass in the room: What the hell does 'sushi-grade' even mean? Turns out…nothing. Not legally, anyway.
''Sushi grade' doesn't mean anything,' says Le. 'It is simply a marketing label that can be used by anyone who wants their fish to appear as high quality. Even if the term is used with good intentions, it is still subjective.'
Yes, you read that correctly. The $28 'sushi-grade' salmon from your local boutique seafood market? The one with the raw dairy and honey altar? It could be just as safe — or not — as that $5 filet from Costco. The term has zero regulatory backing. No government standards. No fishy police force checking whether your salmon went to private school or not.
So if sushi-grade means nothing, and raw fish carries risk, is it actually ever safe to eat homemade sushi? Short answer: yes, if (and only if) you're working with either farmed salmon or tuna, and you're certain it's been properly handled and frozen.
'If it's tuna or farmed salmon, then it should be safe to eat, assuming that it was kept cold and handled in clean environments to prevent bacterial growth,' says Le. Basically, no swordfish, no snapper, no maverick wild salmon. Stick to the tried-and-tested budget-friendly classics like frozen farmed salmon or ahi tuna. You'll be fine.
As for whether this whole viral trend is a clever culinary life hack or a sketchy shortcut? 'Although it does seem risky, it should be safe if the above conditions are met,' says Le. 'So I suppose it could be considered a creative budget solution.' A ringing endorsement if I've ever heard one.
So, go forth and freeze (properly). Read labels. Research your salmon source. Maybe consult a spreadsheet. But with a little caution and a lot of freezer burn, you can join the home sushi club. Just don't skip the science.
Whether you prefer your salmon raw or cooked, download the Tasty app to browse and save our favorite recipes, from poke bowls to teriyaki — no subscription required.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Foster Dog Finally Learns to Trust, Plants Surprise Kiss on Rescuer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After months of gaining a foster dog's trust, one woman squealed with excitement when the canine finally showed her first sign of accepting the love. TikTok user @thefatdog welcomed home Meadow as her foster dog from the nonprofit animal rescue, Saving South Texas. Meadow gave birth to 10 puppies in the Rio Grande Valley, an Instagram post from the rescue stated. And based on the dog's scars, the foster mother believes she had also been abused, leading Meadow to be hesitant about humans. This foster mom worked with Meadow, day-in-and-day out, to show her that not all humans will hurt her. She put no timeline on gaining Meadow's trust. There would be no giving up on her watch. Then, unexpectedly, Meadow finally set aside her fear and took a leap of faith. She planted a gentle, sloppy kiss on her foster mom's face, which was captured and shared in an August 8 TikTok video. Thrilled about this giant step forward, the foster mom gasped with excitement. However, she noted her reaction scared Meadow. She "messed up" and spent every moment after trying to teach Meadow that she will never be punished for kisses. The video's text overlay reads: "As foster parents, this is why we have to stay calm. Scared dogs read everything, even our actions." Time and patience again took over in this household, and soon enough, Meadow couldn't stop giving out kisses. She went from being unable to look at her foster family in the face to accepting and sharing love. And since then, this foster family has learned that Meadow is nothing but a ball of affection, according to @thefatdog in the video's comments section. She'll only continue to blossom from this point on and into her forever home. Newsweek reached out to @thefatdog via TikTok for additional information and comment. Screenshots from an August 8 TikTok video of a dog finally learned to trust humans by planting a kiss on her foster mother's face. Screenshots from an August 8 TikTok video of a dog finally learned to trust humans by planting a kiss on her foster mother's face. @thefatdog/TikTok TikTok Users React The precious interaction between Meadow and her foster mom took TikTok by storm, reaching over 34,300 views and 3,540 likes on the social media platform as of Monday afternoon. One user wrote: "Stop, I'm sobbing...I am so happy you found each other, and she's learning how love works." A second added: "Ok, now I am crying. She's come so far. She's so much more confident. She's going to make her forever family so happy." And a third user posted: "I'm squealing on your behalf." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Newsweek
Shelter Dog Returned for Being 'Bad Listener,' Then Comes Devastating Twist
A heartbreaking story of a shelter dog named Zephyr has offered internet viewers a powerful lesson in pet adoption and patience. A couple, who had gone to the rescue to adopt him, saw a glaring red flag on his file. But what they learned about the reason behind it was a devastating twist that completely changed their perception of the dog. One of the owners shared the story in a TikTok video, which has gone viral with over 768,000 views. The owner explained the couple's initial hesitation. "The day we were adopting Zephyr, the rescue took out his folder and written in all capital letters across the top it said 'RETURNED!'" she wrote in the video's caption. "My husband and I were not supposed to see that, but we did. A little skeptical and concerned we asked what the problem was and why he had been returned," the owner added. The rescue staff informed them that Zephyr had been brought back by his previous family because he was a "bad listener" and would not follow their commands. Despite the report, the couple decided to give the dog a second chance. @the_official_zephyr.solo The day we were adopting Zephyr, the rescue took out his folder and written in all capital letters across the top it said ' RETURNED!' When I question the rescue about that note she quickly covered it up. My husband and I were not supposed to see that, but we did. A little skeptical and concerned we asked what the problem was and why he had been returned. The rescue informed us that the family brought him back after a few days because he was a bad listener and would not follow any of their commands. My husband and I decided we still wanted to give that for a chance. He deserved a second chance at life and we would do our best to make it work. Within 48 hours of having him home we suspected he was hearing impaired. We knew there was an impairment, but we didn't know to what extent. About one week later, the vet confirmed that he has absolutely zero ability to hear. Who was that that moment that I broke down and cried in the car because now I knew why he was labeled.' a bad listener' by the family who had originally rescued him. They thought he was a bad listener because he wasn't responding to their verbal commands. But he couldn't hear them so he wasn't a bad listener. Not in the least bit. It was at that moment that I swore to him he would never be returned again, and that he was home and safe. We instantly began training him by using American Sign Language, facial expressions, body language, and other visual gestures. Zephyr learned his commands so quickly! In fact, he is the best listening dog we've ever had. He follows all directionsand wants nothing more than to please us. In this video you will see truly how quickly he responds just to a flashing light. He knows it's time to go home, where mommy and daddy are.#fyp#americansignlanguageclub#home#safe#safeandsound#foryourpage#viral#dogsoftiktok#reel#viralreel#longislandny#rescuedog#happydoggie#kindnessmatters#bestdogever#viralvideo#texas#newyork ♬ original sound - sped up songs 🫶 The Heartbreaking Truth Within 48 hours of bringing Zephyr home, the couple suspected he had a hearing impairment. "We knew there was an impairment, but we didn't know to what extent," the owner wrote. A week later, their suspicions were confirmed by a veterinarian. "The vet confirmed that he has absolutely zero ability to hear." This devastating news clarified everything. "It was that moment that I broke down and cried in the car because now I knew why he was labeled 'a bad listener' by the family who had originally rescued him," the owner said. "They thought he was a bad listener because he wasn't responding to their verbal commands. But he couldn't hear them, so he wasn't a bad listener. Not in the least bit." It was then that the owners made a vow and swore they would never return him—that he was home and safe. The couple immediately began training Zephyr using visual cues, including American Sign Language, facial expressions and body language. And the results were astonishing. Zephyr learned his commands quickly, and he is "the best listening dog we've ever had," the owner wrote. Stock image: A dog peers out of a cage at a shelter. Stock image: A dog peers out of a cage at a shelter.A Lesson in Unconditional Love The video's powerful message resonated deeply with the online community, who praised the couple for their dedication and questioned the care provided by the rescue. "These are the type of people who should have fur babies," one person wrote. "You didn't center yourself and instead focused on his needs and becoming the best people for him to meet those needs. Verbal communication, especially with dogs, is only a small percentage of the process." Another user, who was frustrated by the situation, wrote: "Honestly … I'm so mad at the rescue. As someone who worked in veterinary medicine and knows intake procedures, they absolutely should have caught on that he was deaf. But, it worked out that he found you." Zephyr's story is a reminder of the importance of patience and compassion when adopting a shelter dog—more important, it shows that what may seem like a "bad" behavior can be the result of a physical need, and, with the right owners, a pup can thrive and be a faithful companion. Newsweek reached out to @the_official_zephyr.solo for comment via TikTok.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top climate tech exec: The AC gap between Europe and America is becoming an economic liability
Picture this: it's a scorching summer day in the U.S. You wake up in a cool, comfortable room after a solid night's sleep. You head to work, where the temperature is optimised for concentration. Unless you step outside for a lunchtime walk, you're completely protected from the heat. Now picture the same scenario in an average European city. You wake up after a night of tossing and turning. You're sticky, uncomfortable, and already dreading the commute. Jammed on a crowded train, you suffer through a heavy delay as your city's transport infrastructure struggles in the face of extreme temperatures. If you're working from home, the only relief comes from a fan slowly circulating warm air around the room. The fundamental difference between these two realities? Air conditioning. In the U.S., 90% of households have AC. In Europe? Just 20% on average. In some countries, such as the UK, that number falls to less than 5%. At first glance, this might seem like a minor difference — fodder for TikTok skits or Reddit debates, where Americans and Europeans poke fun at each other's respective abilities to handle summer weather. But when the temperature rises, the impact on productivity is anything but trivial. Europe's growing productivity gap with the U.S — which has widened since the pandemic — isn't just a result of regulation, labor laws, or tech prowess. It's now also about climate. Or, more precisely, the difference in how we experience extreme temperatures. Heat is an existential threat to some European economies Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth. Across the primarily AC-free nations, heat waves can (and increasingly do) shut down schools, disrupt businesses, and make it impossible for people to function at their best. Employers are forced to shift working hours to protect staff from the heat, those with caring responsibilities struggle to look after the most vulnerable (children, the elderly) and families are caught in a daily battle for comfort and efficiency. This climate vulnerability isn't just inconvenient, it's a serious threat to economic competitiveness. Economists are already warning that Europe's failure to adapt to a hotter future could dampen its growth prospects. Tourism too looks set to suffer. As heatwaves become more frequent, particularly in Southern Europe, holiday-makers are starting to look elsewhere in search of more comfortable climes. This presents an existential threat to the lifeblood of economies, particularly across the Mediterranean. As the continent struggles to balance the demands of climate change and economic growth, heat is a growing liability. Public calls for AC are getting louder. In the UK, searches for homes with air conditioning have soared and AC is quickly becoming a middle class status symbol. In France, politicians like Marine Le Pen have jumped on the bandwagon, announcing a 'grand plan for air conditioning'. You might imagine that the solution is simple: copy the US playbook and roll out air conditioning across Europe. Tempting as it may seem, it's not quite that straightforward. The grid isn't up to the job Air conditioning is electricity-intensive. And most European nations don't have the grid infrastructure to support a shift of this scale. This fragility was laid bare in Italy this summer, when a heat-wave-induced surge in demand for AC triggered blackouts. Europe's national grids are straining at the seams: struggling to keep pace with the range of resilience upgrades required for modern consumption, and grappling with the volume of clean energy sources clamouring to connect. (It's a deep irony that the vast quantities of solar power brought about by hotter, drier summers — which could unlock AC capabilities without creating a new carbon burden — can't be properly harnessed due to grid connection delays.) Across large swathes of Europe, buildings are also older and poorly insulated. Planning restrictions are tighter and the culture of renting rather than owning complicates installation. Collectively, beleaguered grids and logistical challenges means those sweaty nights and lethargic days risk becoming part and parcel of European summers. To escape this incrementally hotter bind and unlock US-style levels of productivity that AC-enabled environments can bring, we need smarter infrastructure and more investment in it. That means using advanced modelling and AI to understand where grids are weakest, how demand is shifting, and where small, targeted upgrades could unlock big gains. It means simulating future heat scenarios to stress-test energy networks before a crisis hits or a capacity expansion is attempted. It means replacing guesswork with precision so that investments in cooling — and the infrastructure behind it — actually pay off. Only with this kind of intelligent planning can Europe move fast enough to adapt to a hotter future — without burning out its grids, budgets, or climate goals in the process. Air conditioning may be the fix, but without addressing the underlying infrastructure challenges, Europe will continue to sweat through the heat and suffer the economic consequences. And across the pond? Well, the Americans are just waking up from a great night's sleep. The opinions expressed in commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
