Abalone – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Seafood

What is abalone?

Abalone is a much-prized mollusk. Its delicious meaty interior is protected by a hard, sturdy shell that sparkles like a pearl on the inside. Because they’re a type of large sea snail, abalone can roam freely through the shallow sea waters in search of food, safe from hungry predators.

You can find abalone in virtually every ocean and continent. However, these shellfish do prefer the cold waters off the coast of New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the west coast of the United States. In fact, abalone was once incredibly abundant in northern California and a local delicacy.

Today, abalone seafood is often pan-fried and lightly seasoned so the sweet-yet-salty flavors can shine through. The creamy, buttery texture of their meat is also what makes abalone so coveted, sometimes referred to as the foie gras of the sea.

When is abalone in season?

Abalone fishing season varies from country to country. In the western United States, fishermen head to coastal waters between May and October to hunt these magnificent shellfish. 

Sadly, wild abalone has taken a hit due to overfishing and warming oceans. Thus, abalone fishing has become highly regulated around the world so populations can bounce back. In the United States, for instance, sport abalone fishing has been put on hold until 2026.

That doesn’t mean getting abalone is impossible, though. Fortunately, conservation efforts have been quite successful, and some communities have created safe areas for abalone to multiply. Now, most abalone you see on sale comes from abalone ranches or farms, which has made this unique seafood more widely available.

How do you pick abalone at the grocery store?

The best place to buy fresh abalone is a trustworthy market. Search for “fresh fish near me” and look for mollusks that look fresh, plump, white, or darker in color and have no pungent smell.

You can also find frozen abalone in the frozen fish and seafood aisle. Choose whichever package has enough abalone for what you need. This is a more cost-effective alternative to fresh abalone but tastes just as good once cooked.

Canned abalone is much, much easier to find. Abalone that’s been canned in brine doesn’t have any added flavors, so you can season it to taste yourself. If you want ready-to-eat abalone, choose one that’s been canned with sauce. Either way, canned abalone meat has already been tenderized, so you don’t have to worry about that step.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for abalone via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for abalone.

How to store abalone

Fresh abalone must be carefully stored. Always keep it in a chilled environment—for example, in a cooler on the way home from the store and then in the fridge. You should always keep it away from direct sunlight, too.

Frozen abalone needs to stay in the freezer until you’re ready to prepare it. Either leave it in the plastic bag it came in or place the abalone in an air-tight container. Make sure your freezer stays at 0ºF or lower.

Canned abalone should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight—between temperatures of 50ºF and 70ºF.

How to tell if abalone is bad

To know if abalone is bad, you can pay attention to how long you’ve stored the abalone. This shellfish should only be kept in the fridge while fresh for 24 to 48 hours.

Frozen abalone can last longer, around 3 months, although some seafood sellers do say you can keep it for longer. When in doubt, follow the “use-by” date that’s printed on the package.

Canned abalone, on the other hand, stays good for years if properly stored. Once again, read the “use-by” date and follow it exactly.

Another way to tell if abalone has gone bad is by smell. Once this mollusk goes bad, it will start to reek. Does it have a strong, pungent smell? And is it firm instead of soft like fresh seafood? If so, it’s time to throw out that bad abalone and sanitize all the surfaces it came in contact with.

What can I substitute for abalone?

Abalone is expensive and often difficult to find. If you can’t buy abalone but need it for a recipe, there are some substitutions you can make.

Calamari is a quick and easy swap. It has a similar texture to abalone (although it’s more on the rubbery side) and easily soaks up the flavors from any seasonings or marinades.

Conch can also be a good substitute. In fact, it’s often sold as “mock abalone” in cans, as it’s much more affordable and has a similar taste and texture.

Other possible substitutes could be mussels, scallops, and clams, depending on how you plan on cooking them. All those options will give you the seawater saltiness and tender texture abalone also has.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Sea Snail (per lb)

Live Abalone (per lb)

Product Of Australia Canned Abalone (10 ct)

Frozen Abalone (per lb)

ANTARTICA FOODS Imitation Abalone (15 oz)

Squid Calamari (per lb)

Conch (per lb)

Indulge in something new with abalone delivery

If you’ve never tried abalone, now is a great time to change that. It’s unlike anything you’ve probably ever tasted and deserves a shot. Whether you’re eating it raw with sushi or cooking it into an Asian-inspired curry, abalone could become your new favorite seafood. Instacart makes finding and buying abalone as easy as can be. With just a few clicks, you could get your grocery delivery in under 2 hours.

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