Have you been really surprised when you go to Costco these days?

Beef and ribs are so expensive, and what used to cost $60-$70 now goes over $100.

Salmon, which used to be around $20, is now over $30, making it quite pricey.

Still, I buy salmon that my husband and kids love and make sushi at home.

Once you try making it, you'll find it's not as hard as you think, and you get a lot of it. It's enough to fill everyone up and still have leftovers.

However, while browsing the internet, I come across a lot of discussions.

"You can eat Costco salmon raw."

"Absolutely not."

"It's farmed salmon, so it's fine."

"But it still needs to be frozen."

Whose advice should you trust?

The truth is somewhere in the middle.

First, the most important thing when choosing salmon is to select farm-raised Atlantic salmon.

Typical salmon products sold at Costco and Sam's Club fall into this category.

Generally, farmed salmon is known to have a much lower risk of parasites compared to wild salmon because their feed and living conditions are controlled.

On the other hand, wild-caught salmon requires more caution if you're planning to eat it raw.

So, if you're planning to make sushi or sashimi at home, most households tend to choose farm-raised Atlantic salmon.

Freshness is also important when selecting salmon.

I always check the products located at the back of the refrigerated display.

The products at the front are often touched and taken out by customers frequently.

Also, I check if the flesh color is vibrant and if there's a lot of blood pooling at the bottom of the package.

Products with evenly distributed white fat lines usually have a good texture and flavor.

When I bring it home, I carefully remove moisture with a paper towel first.

Then, I store it in the refrigerator for a few hours to chill before slicing it for use.

Some people lightly cure it with salt or cover it with kelp to age it, but this is a method to enhance flavor and texture, not a process that guarantees safety.

The key is to buy fresh products and handle and store them hygienically.

In fact, there's an easier way.

On lazy days, I just buy the salmon sushi set sold at Costco.

It's such a good value that it's quite reasonable for family meals.

Still, making sushi at home is fun.

When you eat a thick slice of salmon on top of rice, you can't help but think, "How much would this cost at a restaurant?"

This weekend, consider picking up a pack of salmon from Costco or Sam's Club and have a home sushi party with your family.

In these times of high prices, there aren't many dining alternatives that offer such good value.