The pros: Convenience, vacuum sealed pouch, good directions, after being prepared according the suggestions, Trader Joe's Frozen Swordfish was tasty.
The cons: This review is going to be dependent on your ability as well. This a product that is going to depend on your cooking ability as well as the product is uncooked. Some might avoid Swordfish as to the possible mercury content. This product is from Singapore.
The verdict: For $6.97 or $8.99 per pound, this is a fair price for Swordfish. In the pound were two pieces. Trader Joe's was kind enough to include extensive directions depending on how you want to prepare this product. I took a cast iron pan and grilled it on high. I salt and peppered it. At the end I followed Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Butter recipe.
What came out of the pan were fresh tasting pieces of swordfish. They were very dense, this is more like a steak. It wasn't dry or fishy. If you like light and flakey fish, this might not be the right fish for you. The quality of the product is going to come down to your skills as a cook on this one. This is not prepared. Only suggestions are made. When thawed and cooked, it was ready in under 15 minutes. I'd buy this again.
The vacuum sealed package in the freezer aisle:
The nutritional information:
How to prepare:
Some added suggestions from Trader Joe's:
After being cooked you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes. Trader Joe's Frozen Swordfish is already vacuum sealed ensuring freshness. It came out well defrosted in the refrigerator from the night before and grilled in a cast iron skillet.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Mario says
That is a great price per pound for swordfish! I love all kinds of seafood and will give this a try based on your favorable write up!
O.P. says
Has anyone complained of any of these tasting like some kind of bug spray? Bar code 201290707871? I just had it tonight
becomebetty says
This is the first I've heard. I made swordfish for my husband this past weekend. Since I'm not affiliated with Trader Joe's I can't do anything. But I would reach out to both your local store for a refund and to Trader Joe's customer service: https://www.traderjoes.com/contact-us
I hope that helps resolve things.
Ariel Paz (@ArielPaz08) says
Enjoying a salad nicoise with grilled swordfish from Trader Joe's and I remembered the package said it was from Singapore. So, being the health-conscious person I am, I googled the safety of it.
Found an article from Trader Joe's dated 2012 stating their goal to provide sustainable fish. However, other sources say swordfish is very high in mercury, unclear about Singapore swordfish. This casts doubt in my mind, so I will be staying within U.S. borders for my future fish purchases.
becomebetty says
Hey Ariel! Thanks for stopping by. Unfortunately swordfish is high in mercury, but we have no way of telling how high it is from individual regions. I wish there were a better way to guide us through our seafood decisions and the industry as a whole were more transparent. Anyways, how is that nicoise salad? Is it the new one from TJs? Just curious. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to stop by!
Charles R Smith says
16 - 18 minutes from frozen at 375 degrees is complete B.S.. Mine have been in for over 30 minutes from frozen and still are not done...allow a lot of extra time if cooking in sealed tinfoil as suggested. I am very disappointed in the recipe directions from the package, that you have to open to read...O.K. fish, but not awesome.
becomebetty says
Hey Charles! Thanks for sharing. I've always defrosted this overnight in the refrigerator because I was suspicious of the from frozen directions. I hope yours turns out ok.
Charles R Smith says
Still cooking, flipped twice. At about 36 minutes now @ 375 degrees. Should be done in about 5 minutes.
Charles Smith says
Gonna take 45 minutes or so if wrapped in tinfoil if you cook it at 375 degrees