How to Know If the Seafood You’re Buying Is Fresh

When it comes to buying seafood, freshness makes all the difference. Fresh seafood delivers better flavor, safer meals, and higher nutritional value. Whether you’re shopping at a grocery store, seafood market, or fish counter, knowing how to identify fresh fish and shellfish helps you buy with confidence.

This guide breaks down exactly how to tell if seafood is fresh, using simple visual and sensory checks anyone can do.

Why Seafood Freshness Matters

Fresh seafood is packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins. When seafood isn’t fresh, it can lose flavor, texture, and safety. Learning how to spot fresh seafood helps you avoid waste and ensures restaurant-quality meals at home.

1. Smell the Seafood First

Your nose is your most powerful tool.

Fresh seafood smells:

• Clean

• Light

• Slightly salty, like the ocean

Avoid seafood that smells:

• Strongly fishy

• Sour

• Like ammonia

A strong odor is one of the clearest signs seafood is no longer fresh.

2. Look at the Eyes (Whole Fish)

If you’re buying whole fish, always check the eyes.

Fresh fish eyes are:

• Clear

• Bright

• Slightly bulging

Cloudy or sunken eyes usually mean the fish is old.

3. Check the Texture of the Flesh

Fresh fish should feel firm and springy.

Press gently on the flesh:

• If it bounces back quickly, it’s fresh

• If it leaves an indentation or feels mushy, avoid it

Slimy texture (beyond natural moisture) is another red flag.

4. Examine the Color

Color is a major freshness indicator.

Fresh seafood should look:

• Vibrant

• Glossy

• Even in color

Avoid seafood that appears:

• Dull

• Yellowing

• Gray or dry

Shrimp should be translucent, scallops creamy white, and fish fillets bright and moist.

5. Check the Gills

Gills reveal a lot about freshness.

Fresh gills are:

• Bright red or pink

• Moist

• Clean-smelling

Brown, gray, or slimy gills indicate the fish is past its prime.

6. Shellfish Freshness Tips

When buying clams, mussels, or oysters:

• Shells should be tightly closed

• If slightly open, they should close when tapped

Never buy shellfish that are cracked, broken, or smell overly fishy.

7. Ask Questions at the Seafood Counter

A trusted fish market or grocery store should be transparent.

Ask:

• When was this seafood delivered?

• Is it wild-caught or farm-raised?

• Has it been frozen before?

Fresh seafood sellers are always happy to share details.

Buy Seafood With Confidence

Knowing how to tell if seafood is fresh helps you make smarter choices, cook better meals, and enjoy seafood at its best. By paying attention to smell, texture, color, eyes, gills, and storage, you can confidently select high-quality seafood every time.

Fresh seafood should look clean, smell light, and feel firm — trust your senses.