Wild Salmon vs Farmed Salmon: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Wild salmon has 20.7 g of protein and 134 calories, while farmed salmon has 20.4 g of protein and 186 calories. Wild salmon is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Wild salmon and farmed salmon are two popular types of fish consumed worldwide. Each offers unique nutritional profiles that cater to different dietary needs.

What Is the Difference Between Wild Salmon and Farmed Salmon?

Wild salmon is fish that is caught in its natural habitat, typically in oceans and rivers. It is known for its rich flavor and nutritional benefits. Farmed salmon is raised in controlled environments, such as fish farms, where they are fed a specific diet. This method can result in a higher fat content compared to wild salmon.

Wild Salmon vs Farmed Salmon: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table summarizes the nutritional differences between wild and farmed salmon.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Wild salmon (cooked)	Farmed salmon (cooked)
Calories	134 kcal	186 kcal
Protein	20.7 g	20.4 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	4.8 g	11.3 g

Which Is Better, Wild Salmon or Farmed Salmon?

For weight loss: Wild salmon has 134 calories per 100 g, while farmed salmon has 186 calories. Choosing wild salmon may support weight loss efforts.

For muscle and protein: Wild salmon contains 20.7 g of protein per 100 g, compared to 20.4 g in farmed salmon. This makes wild salmon a slightly better choice for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both wild and farmed salmon contain 0 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar. They are suitable options for low-carb or low-sugar diets.

How to Track Wild salmon and Farmed salmon Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient ratios when comparing different types of salmon. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers presented are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which type of salmon has more protein?

Wild salmon has 20.7 g of protein per 100 g, while farmed salmon has 20.4 g. Therefore, wild salmon has more protein.

Which type of salmon has fewer calories?

Wild salmon contains 134 calories per 100 g, whereas farmed salmon has 186 calories. Thus, wild salmon has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in wild salmon?

Wild salmon has 4.8 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the fat content in farmed salmon?

Farmed salmon contains 11.3 g of fat per 100 g.

Do both types of salmon contain carbs?

Both wild salmon and farmed salmon contain 0 g of carbs per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in both types of salmon?

Both wild and farmed salmon have 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Wild salmon has 134 calories per 100 g.
• Farmed salmon has 186 calories per 100 g.
• Wild salmon contains 20.7 g of protein per 100 g.
• Farmed salmon contains 20.4 g of protein per 100 g.
• Wild salmon has 4.8 g of fat per 100 g.
• Farmed salmon has 11.3 g of fat per 100 g.