An Inexpensive Salmon Alternative You Should Try

What's so great about fish? It's not something we often ask ourselves but every now and again it bears reminding that fish is pretty awesome. Humans have been eating fish for nearly 2 million years: Our ancestors made their way to the shore and caught catfish, turtles, and crocodiles, which became the first evidence of humanity's fish-eating tendencies (via Science). That in and of itself is pretty cool, but from there, wherever humanity made a home by the sea, they cultivated a culinary relationship with its creatures, including mussels, whales, crabs, and of course fish like cod, tuna, and salmon.

The salmon fish was a source of life and nutrients for the indigenous tribes of North America and to this day are revered for their attractive color, taste, and nutrients. Unfortunately, the price of salmon is on the rise yet again. According to RasTech, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) revealed that the price of salmon hit a 40-year high at the beginning of 2022 due to worldwide biological and environmental issues. 

The world is already undersupplied and the demand for salmon continues to rise. So, what's the next best option?

If you can't afford salmon these days, you aren't alone. But if you still want some delicious fish to munch on, Fishing Booker suggests buying some char. Arctic char has a little less protein salmon but it is still a fantastic source of omega-3 and is comparatively cheaper than salmon with similar fat content.

For those of you who don't know, char (scientifically known as Salvelinus) is a part of the trout and salmon family and is a freshwater fish (via Britannica). It looks like a hybrid between the trout and salmon and has firm, flaky flesh. Healthline says that its color can be dark red or pale pink and raising these kinds of fish creates less pollution than fish farmed in coastal waters. 

You can bake Arctic char and serve it with basil oil and lentils, you can grill it and serve it with some spicy horseradish, or even broil it with a honey lemon glaze. There is no end to the ways this fish can be enjoyed, so next time you're out shopping, don't break your bank account on a salmon filet, try some Arctic char.