Sablefish black cod is one of our favorite types of fish. Also known as butterfish, this seafood has a rich, buttery taste and texture unlike any other seafood we’ve tasted. But if you’re interested in buying black cod, take care to understand the difference between black cod and “true” cod. While both are delicious options for your next workday lunch of weekend dinner, there are some important differences between the two.
Regardless of which type of cod you want, Lummi Island Wild should be the place you buy it. We’re proud to offer a diverse range of sustainable options, including sablefish and Pacific cod, to meet all your seafood needs – all while supporting responsible fishing practices.
Black Cod is a white fish, also known as Sablefish and Butterfish, is a gourmet fish with a rich, buttery flavor and delicate, silky texture. Like most white fish it has a milder flavor profile compared to fish like Salmon.
What Does Sablefish Taste Like?
Sablefish black cod is notably different from Pacific or “true” cod. The fillets have a pearly white color that turns golden-yellow when cooked. The texture is velvety smooth, and the flakes are large but delicate. We think the flavor borders on pure butter but with a rich, sweet finish, thanks to the fish’s high oil content. Available year-round and with a unique flavor profile, black cod is a great choice for that upcoming birthday dinner, romantic evening, or family dinner.
Where to Buy Sablefish
Sablefish isn’t a specialty seafood, which means you can likely find it at a grocery store or seafood market. That said, we don’t recommend buying from most of these chain retailers. Sablefish is a very oily, buttery fish, which means it should be frozen immediately and consumed shortly thereafter. Grocery stores have a longer supply chain than online retailers like Lummi Island Wild. This means it will take quite a bit longer for grocery store black cod to hit your plate.
By contrast, Lummi Island Wild ensures your black cod is as fresh as possible. Line-caught at a depth of almost 2,500 ft, our black cod are frozen at sea to preserve freshness. The cod remain frozen while processed into fillets, and our seafood always ships frozen. Because the fish stays frozen for its entire journey to your doorstep, it retains more freshness than fish from retailers with longer supply chains. Perhaps most importantly, sablefish black cod is among the most popular items we carry at Lummi. With such high product turnover, you can rest assured that your fish will always be fresh – not languishing in a freezer before shipping out.
What is sablefish or black cod and how to cook it
FAQ
Is sablefish fishy tasting?
What is sablefish similar to?
Is sablefish good to eat?
Is sablefish buttery?
Is sablefish better than sea bass?
Thankfully, they are abundant, and because sablefish’s taste, appearance and texture are similar to Chilean sea bass, sable is an environmentally superior choice to sea bass, which is threatened in some fisheries. In the kitchen, sablefish offers a striking yin-yang appearance—creamy white flesh juxtaposed against black skin.
What are some good sablefish recipes?
Sauteed Sablefish with Ginger Soy Glaze 16. Cumin-Crusted Sablefish 17. Pan Simmered Pacific Black Cod Scroll up to get a bunch of easy, yummy, and delicious sablefish recipes. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the ingredients, you might discover a flavor you didn’t know you liked.
What does sablefish taste like?
Sablefish has a rich, buttery flavor and a smooth, silky texture. It’s fattier than Pacific cod and halibut, with a more luxurious mouth feel, but milder than salmon and tuna. If you live on the west coast, especially in the Pacific Northwest, you can usually find fresh sablefish at supermarkets and fish markets from early March until mid-November.
Is sablefish a fatty fish?
Sablefish is a fatty and rich cut of fish, and, like salmon. With the nickname “butterfish,” you’d be right to guess its flavor is buttery and satisfying. Its texture is melt-in-your-mouth and is commonly compared to Chilean sea bass. This velvety fish is also uber tender, flaking easily with the slightest pressure from your fork.