The Best Ina Garten Fresh Salmon Tartare Recipe You’ll Love

Fresh salmon tartare offers a luxurious culinary experience that transforms raw fish into a sophisticated delicacy.

Soft, silky textures mingle with vibrant ingredients that spark intense flavor sensations.

Ocean-inspired techniques showcase the raw ingredient’s natural brilliance without overwhelming its delicate essence.

Mediterranean and coastal cuisines frequently celebrate this elegant preparation method.

Fine dining restaurants and adventurous home cooks appreciate the technical skill required for perfect tartare.

Precise knife work and exceptional ingredient quality elevate this dish from simple to sublime.

You’ll find the magic happens when premium fish meets expert technique: bon appétit!

Flavor Variations for Salmon Tartare That Pop

• Ocean's Duo: Replace smoked salmon with fresh tuna for a different seafood profile, adding a subtle oceanic richness to the original recipe.
• Herbal Mediterranean: Swap fresh dill with chopped basil and add crumbled feta cheese, creating a Greek-inspired salmon tartare with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Asian Fusion: Incorporate finely chopped fresh ginger, replace Dijon mustard with sriracha sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds for a bold, zesty Asian-style tartare.
• Nordic-Style Tartare: Use Nordic rye bread instead of seven-grain, add pickled red onions, and mix in some fresh chives for a Scandinavian-inspired version with sharp, clean flavors.

A Chic Ending to Your Salmon Tartare Spread

Salmon tartare emerges as culinary poetry, blending fresh and smoked salmon with zesty Mediterranean influences.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant coastal experience.

Complex flavor profiles dance between lime’s brightness and dill’s herbaceous notes.

Capers and mustards create sophisticated undertones that elevate this classic dish.

Careful marination allows each ingredient to whisper its unique character.

Passionate chefs and adventurous palates will find this tartare irresistible – share your culinary journey, spark conversation, and inspire fellow epicurean explorers through comments, likes, and delectable revelations.

Why Fresh Salmon Tartare Feels Like a Luxe Starter

• Burst with Fresh Ocean Flavors: This salmon tartare explodes with vibrant, zesty tastes from the lime juice, fresh dill, and perfectly diced salmon that capture the essence of coastal dining.
• Elevate Simple Appetizer Technique: By marinating the salmon for two hours, home cooks transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that develops complex, harmonious flavor profiles with minimal cooking skills.
• Quick Gourmet Experience: In just 15 minutes of prep time and a short chilling period, anyone can create an impressive appetizer that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it, making it perfect for elegant dinner parties or spontaneous weekend entertaining.
• Texture Symphony: The recipe combines silky, tender salmon pieces with crispy seven-grain toast triangles, delivering an exciting contrast that keeps every bite interesting and engaging for adventurous food lovers.

What You’ll Need for Fresh Salmon Tartare Perfection

• Fresh Salmon, Smoked Salmon: High-quality, sushi-grade fish with clean ocean flavor, best from trusted seafood markets with good reputation.

• Lime Juice
• Shallots: Delicate onion-like ingredient adding subtle, sweet aromatic notes.
• Fresh Dill: Herbaceous, feathery herb with light anise-like flavor complementing seafood.
• Capers: Briny, tangy little buds that provide sharp accent to rich salmon.
• Dijon Mustard, Whole-Grain Mustard: Complementary mustards adding depth and slight heat to tartare.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity oil binding ingredients and adding richness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Seven-Grain Bread: Hearty, nutty bread providing crisp textural contrast to creamy salmon tartare.

How to Make Salmon Tartare With That Clean Finish

Step 1: Gather Salmon Varieties

Select fresh salmon and smoked salmon from a high-quality seafood market. Ensure the fish is extremely fresh and cold.

• Fresh salmon fillet
• Smoked salmon

Carefully dice both salmon types into tiny 1/4-inch uniform cubes using a sharp chef’s knife.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Combine aromatic ingredients to enhance the salmon’s natural taste.

• Lime juice
• Minced shallots
• Fresh dill
• Capers
• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Whole-grain mustard
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Gently mix all ingredients in a clean glass mixing bowl until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Develop Flavor Profile

Cover the salmon mixture with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop complex flavors. The chilling process helps ingredients meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Prepare Crispy Accompaniment

Select seven-grain bread and prepare just before serving.

• Slice bread into triangular shapes
• Toast bread until golden and crisp
• Keep warm until serving time

Step 5: Final Presentation

Taste the tartare and adjust seasoning if needed. Arrange salmon tartare on a pristine white plate. Garnish with additional fresh dill or capers. Place toasted bread triangles alongside for a stunning and delicious appetizer.

Tips to Keep Salmon Tartare Bright and Balanced

• Pick Supreme Seafood: Select high-quality, sushi-grade salmon from a trusted fishmonger to guarantee food safety and exceptional taste.
• Slice with Precision: Use a super sharp knife and chilled salmon for clean, uniform cuts that create an elegant tartare presentation.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the tartare for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and develop a refreshing, harmonious profile.
• Create Perfect Toast Texture: Brush bread with olive oil before toasting to achieve a golden, crispy base that complements the silky salmon.
• Balance Flavor Masterfully: Add ingredients gradually and taste repeatedly, allowing each component to shine without overwhelming the delicate salmon.

Store Fresh Salmon Tartare Without Losing Texture

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect your salmon tartare's quality by vacuum sealing in an airtight food-grade plastic bag. Remove all air to prevent oxidation and maintain optimal flavor for up to 24 hours. Wrap tightly and store in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
• Glass Container Technique: Transfer tartare into a clean, shallow glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to minimize air exposure. This approach helps preserve texture and prevents flavor absorption from other foods.
• Portion Separation Strategy: Divide the salmon tartare into small individual servings before refrigeration. Use small ramekins or silicon molds for easy storage and serving. Smaller portions reduce repeated handling and maintain freshness more effectively.

Ina Garten Fresh Salmon Tartare Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s fresh salmon tartare delivers elegant coastal cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Delicate salmon cubes blend perfectly with zesty capers, shallots, and herbs, creating a sophisticated appetizer that brings ocean-inspired flavors directly to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salmon:

• 1 lb (454 g) skinless fresh salmon fillet
• 0.5 lb (227 g) smoked salmon, thickly sliced

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 0.25 cup (59 ml) minced fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons drained capers

Liquid and Aromatics:

• 0.33 cup (79 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
• 0.33 cup (54 g) minced shallots (2 shallots)
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil

Serving:

• 1 loaf seven-grain bread, thinly sliced and toasted, for serving

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Instructions

1. Meticulously dice the fresh salmon and smoked salmon into uniform ¼-inch (0.6 cm) cubes, transferring them carefully into a clean mixing bowl to maintain their delicate texture.
2. Incorporate flavor enhancers by adding freshly squeezed lime juice, finely minced shallots, extra virgin olive oil, chopped fresh dill, briny capers, smooth Dijon mustard, rustic whole-grain mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Gently fold the ingredients to ensure even distribution without breaking down the salmon’s delicate structure.
3. Cover the tartare mixture with tight-fitting plastic wrap, allowing the ingredients to marinate and meld flavors in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, which will intensify the overall taste profile.
4. Moments before serving, transform seven-grain bread into crisp, golden toast by carefully slicing and browning each piece to achieve a perfect crunch and warmth.
5. Perform a final seasoning assessment, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. Artfully plate the salmon tartare alongside triangular toast points, creating an elegant and inviting culinary presentation that balances texture and flavor.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerating the salmon tartare allows the zesty lime and delicate herbs to mingle, creating a harmonious and vibrant taste sensation that elevates the entire dish.
• Perfect Salmon Selection Matters: Seek out sushi-grade salmon with a brilliant, translucent appearance and firm texture, ensuring top-quality flavor and safe raw consumption.
• Precision in Cutting Counts: Uniformly diced salmon pieces guarantee a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel that captures the essence of a professional tartare preparation.
• Final Taste Test Magic: Moments before serving, sample the tartare and make subtle seasoning adjustments to unlock its full potential and personalize the flavor profile.
• Crisp Toast Timing is Key: Prepare bread just before plating to maintain a warm, crunchy texture that perfectly complements the silky salmon mixture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving ( 100 grams)
• Calories: 131 kcal
• Sugar: 0.2 g
• Sodium: 404 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6.7 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg