This salmon crudo is a simple yet magnificent raw fish dish marinated in olive oil and citrus juice. It's a refreshing and light appetizer before a main meal. I like to garnish mine with edible flowers for some extra wow-factor and sweetness!
What is Crudo?
Crudo, meaning 'raw' in Italian, is a dish consisting of raw fish or seafood. It usually is served dressed with a sauce, oil or seasoning. There are also other types of crudo dishes that are not fish, like beef crudo, which is similar to steak tartare.
Why Do You Have to Freeze Salmon for Crudo?
Freezing the fish before serving it is a necessary safety measure, and is required by law for many restaurants who serve raw fish dishes. Freezing your salmon will kill any bacteria in the fish prior to you eating it, and it will still have a delicious fresh taste! You can purchase commercially frozen salmon, or you can freeze it yourself for at least 7 days at -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
What's the Difference Between Ceviche and Crudo?
Ceviche is a distinctive dish hailing from South America. It uses cubes of fresh fish and shrimp cured for several hours in an acidic marinade like a citrus juice. It is often served with accompaniments like avocado, onions and peppers.
What is the Difference Between Crudo and Carpaccio?
The difference is very subtle. Carpaccio is a dish that can be made with either fish or beef - the meat is served in extremely thin, raw slices with a sauce, usually as an appetizer. The display and design of the dish is very distinctive, and makes for quite the showstopper! Crudo, on the other hand, is raw fish displayed in various ways with varying types of dressing depending on the recipe.
Sourcing your Salmon
I always appreciate really high quality, sustainable ingredients and try to use them whenever I can. For this recipe, I like to use wild salmon from Copper River Salmon, which is a group that fishes wild salmon in beautiful Alaska. Their organization prioritizes preservation and conservation, ensuring that the Copper River yields great salmon for many generations to come. Learn more about their story here!
How to Make Salmon Crudo
First, thaw your frozen salmon. If you have time, thaw your salmon by transferring it from the freezer to the fridge. If you have a limited amount of time, thaw the salmon in cold water.
Next, make the delicious dressing by mixing together orange juice, orange zest, lemon zest, and olive oil. Lay the salmon out on the platter and lightly coat the salmon pieces in the dressing just before serving.
Top the salmon with edible flowers and garnish with sea salt.
Note: Do not dress the salmon too early or the acid in the dressing will begin to cook the salmon.
Favorite Salmon Recipes
If you like this recipe, you will love these other fish recipes like this albacore sashimi or tuna tartare salad. You'll also want to try some of these favorite salmon recipes:
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Tea Cured Salmon or Scotch & Tarragon Cured Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Spring Rolls
- Chili Kumquat Salmon with Pickled Kumquat Kale Salad
- Citrus Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and Mint Slaw
- Citrus Thyme Salmon
- Jalapeño Lime Salmon
- Tropical Fruit Roasted Salmon
- Miso Ginger Salmon
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Salmon Crudo Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. sockeye salmon frozen, since it’s eaten raw
- 1 orange zested and juiced
- 1 lemon zested
- ¼ cup olive oil good quality
- Edible flowers like nasturtium, columbine, or violas
- Chive flowers optional
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Thaw salmon.
- Make dressing with orange juice and zest, lemon zest, olive oil.
- Dress salmon with flowers, dressing, and sea salt just before serving.
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