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Home » Recipes » Starters

Easy Fresh Salmon Tartare Recipe with Cucumber

Published: Nov 18, 2019 · Modified: Jul 30, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Recipe Jump to Video
salmon tartare pin
Salmon Tartare is a fresh and light starter, ideal to serve at the beginning of a seafood dinner. Fresh, light and citrusy, it is so easy to make. Serve it in small cups with a slice of baguette, it is also perfect for a standing buffet party.

Salmon Tartare is a fresh and light starter, ideal for serving as a simple appetizer for a seafood dinner. It is prepared using raw fresh sushi-grade salmon, cucumber, and red onion marinated with lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and some mustard to give it a spicy bite. Fresh, light, and citrusy with a silky texture, it is so easy to make. Serve it in small cups with a baguette slice; it is the perfect starter for a standing buffet party.

Salmon tartare served in a small glass with a slice of baguette
Jump to:
  • Sushi grade salmon
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • How to serve it
  • Substitution
  • Top tips
  • What does "tartare" means
  • More French starters for a standing party
  • Recipes with salmon you might also like
  • 📋Easy Fresh Salmon Tartare Recipe with Cucumber

This recipe is easy to make and even better if made ahead, perfect when you are entertaining.

If you are concerned about eating raw salmon, follow all the food safety precautions to prevent any risk to pregnant women or young children.

You can visit foodsafety.gov at this link.

When you buy the salmon, ask your local fishmonger for sushi grade salmon, which has been treated at a low temperature.

If you like raw salmon recipes, you can also find the recipe for sushi: Maki and uramaki sushi recipe for beginners, blini with salmon

For seafood ideas for the Feast of Seven Fishes, check out this Web Story.

Salmon Tartare Starter served into 6 small glasses

Sushi grade salmon

Since salmon tartare is made with raw salmon fillet, you need to buy high-quality salmon that can be eaten raw, similar to the salmon used for Sushi.

THE SALMON SHOULD HAVE BEEN STORED AT -4 F/-20 C FOR AT LEAST 7 DAYS

This treatment kills all parasites but not all harmful germs so you can find the recommendations from the FDA here for additional information.

Alternatively, you can use smoked salmon.

However, the salmon is not completely raw as it is seasoned with citrus juice and marinated for at least 30 minutes.

The acid from the lemon juice produces an effect of denaturation on the fish

The salmon will change color and look cooked, but it is not the same.

sushi graded salmon

Ingredients

  • Sushi graded salmon: fresh salmon cured at low temperature
  • Red onion
  • Cucumber
  • Mustard: I like original English mustard as it is very spicy. For milder mustard, you can use Dijon mustard
  • Non treated lemon
  • Salt and pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil
Slice the salmon

Instructions

  1. Cut the salmon into small cubes with a sharp knife.
  2. Chop a ¼ of a red onion very finely and add to the salmon cubes
  3. Do the same with the cucumber, but first, remove the core with the seeds, as it will make the tartare too watery.
  4. Season with mustard, lemon juice and zest and extra virgin olive oil
  5. Add salt and black pepper to taste and stir
  6. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge
Make the salmon tartar

How to serve it

  1. Pour it into six small glasses
  2. Cut some slices of fresh baguette, one for each glass
  3. Place the slice of baguette on top of the tartare just before serving
Serving the salmon tartare

Substitution

Besides salmon, you can also make this recipe with any other sushi-grade fish like tuna, swordfish or shrimp.

You can add avocado with or instead of cucumber; however, avocado can turn black, and it may not look pretty the next day.

I use original English mustard as I like it extra spicy, but you can use regular Dijon mustard. For even more delicate flavors you can use lime juice instead of lemon.

Salmon tartare served in a small glass with a slice of baguette

Top tips

  • Since salmon tartare is made with raw salmon, you need to ensure that the salmon is very fresh and can be eaten raw
  • The salmon should have been stored at -4 F / -20 C for at least 7 days. This treatment kills all parasites and bacteria, but not all harmful germs
  • As an alternative, if you cannot find a properly treated fish, you can use smoked salmon.
  • Cut the salmon into small cubes to make sure it is evenly seasoned with lemon juice.
  • It has to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but you can also leave it for a couple of hours
Salmon Tartare served as a starter

What does "tartare" means

"A la Tartare" originally had a completely different meaning. It indicated a dish covered with breadcrumbs, grilled, and served with a highly seasoned sauce. Now it is used for a sauce or a raw meat dish.

Tartare sauce is mayonnaise made with hard-boiled egg yolks, seasoned with fresh herbs like onion and chives, and served with fish, calves' feet (yes, I know), oysters, or Pont Neuf potatoes. I always serve tartare sauce with a seafood platter.

On the other hand, the classic Steak Tartare is made with raw meat (originally horse meat) and served with egg yolk, capers, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning. Although in the 1921 edition of cookbook author Escoffier 's La guide Culinaire, Steak Tartare was raw meat served with Tartare sauce.

Now Tartare applies to other raw dishes like fish or meat. For example, Tuna Tartare was introduced by Le Duc in Paris in 1975.

For those of you who don't know, Chef Auguste Escoffier was the "Chef of the Kings and the King of Chefs", this title was earned during his direction of the kitchen at the Savoy Hotel from 1890-99.

salmon Tartare served in a glass

More French starters for a standing party

This salmon tartare is a perfect starter for a standing party as guests can easily serve themselves and eat it standing.

Another typical French starter with salmon is (1) Salmon with Blini, smoked salmon served over a savory pancake.

If you would like something different you can serve the (2) savoury pancakes with other toppings, and here are some ideas.

Other French starters on my blog are 3 recipes I took from Escoffier's La guide Culinair: 

(3) Rissole à la Dauphine: minced meat wrapped in a brioche pastry

(4) Bouchée à la Reine: generically call Vol au vent, light flaky pastry filled with mushrooms in a white sauce

(5) Cheese Gougère Bourguignonne: puff pastries where sugar is replaced by cheese

Last but not least, (6) Pissaladiere a typical dish from the South of France, a pizza made with onions and anchovies.

6 French appetizers for a buffet table

Recipes with salmon you might also like

For more seafood recipes, check out the category: Seafood

Also check the recipes below:

  • Cod salmon fish pie
    Cod Scallops Salmon Fish Pie With Prawns Recipe
  • Baked Salmon Fillet In Oven With steamed zucchini
    Healthy Baked Salmon And Zucchini Recipe
  • farfalle with smoked salmon
    Healthy Smoked Salmon Pasta Recipe
  • Blini Russian Pancake with Salmon
    Russian Pancakes (Blinis) With Smoked Salmon

If you are making this Easy Fresh Salmon Tartare leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, or sign up to my newsletter.

Salmon Tartare recipe

📋Easy Fresh Salmon Tartare Recipe with Cucumber

Salmon Tartare is a fresh and light starter, ideal for serving as a simple appetizer for a seafood dinner. It is prepared using raw fresh sushi-grade salmon, cucumber, and red onion marinated with lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and some mustard to give it a spicy bite. Fresh, light, and citrusy with a silky texture, it is so easy to make. Serve it in small cups with a baguette slice; it is the perfect starter for a standing buffet party.
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
⏲️Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Print Rate SaveSaved!
Author: Laura Tobin

Ingredients
 
 

  • 10 oz fresh salmon cured at low temperature
  • ½ cucumber
  • ¼ red onion
  • ¼ teaspoon original English mustard or general mustard
  • 1 non treated lemon
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 teaspoon salt & pepper
  • 2 Slices whole wheat bread for toasts
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Equipment

  • Cutting board set
  • Lemon trumpet
  • Small liqueur glasses
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Instructions

  • Cut the salmon into small cubes with a sharp knife.
    10 oz fresh salmon
  • Chop a ¼ of a red onion very finely and add to the salmon
    ¼ red onion
  • Do the same with the cucumber, but first, remove the core with the seeds as it will make the tartare too watery.
    ½ cucumber
  • Season with mustard, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil
    ¼ teaspoon original English mustard, 1 non treated lemon, 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Add salt and pepper to taste and stir
    1 teaspoon salt & pepper
  • Let it rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
  • Pour it into 6 small glasses
  • Cut some slices of fresh baguette, one for each glass and place the slice of baguette on top of the tartare just before serving
  • Serve cold

Video

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Notes

  • Since salmon tartare is made with raw salmon, you need to ensure that the salmon is very fresh and can be eaten raw
  • The salmon should have been stored at -4 F / -20 C for at least 7 days. This treatment kills all parasites and bacteria, making the fish safe to eat
  • As an alternative, if you cannot find a properly treated fish, you can use smoked salmon.
  • Cut the salmon into small cubes to make sure it is evenly seasoned with lemon juice.
  • SUBSTITUTION: I use English mustard as I like it extra spicy, but you can use regular mustard.
  • Besides salmon, you can also make this recipe with fresh tuna or shrimps.
  • It has to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes but you can also leave it for a couple of hours

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 306mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle | The Last Food Blog

    July 10, 2017 at 8:08 am

    5 stars
    I'm always a bit wary of using raw fish but your tips are excellent so I may just give this a go. It sounds delicious.

    Reply
  2. Christine

    July 10, 2017 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    I love salmon but I've never tried it prepared this way. It sounds so fresh and delicious - perfect for summer!

    Reply
  3. Natalia

    July 10, 2017 at 11:41 am

    5 stars
    Salmon is my favourite although I always have it in different dishes rather than a tartare. But this looks so good and the tips you provided are useful! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Laura

      July 13, 2017 at 5:37 am

      I can understand your concerns, I am glad you find them useful. You have to trust your fishmonger

      Reply
  4. Brandi Crawford

    July 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    I can't believe this only takes 10 minutes to make! This is the perfect summer appetizer.

    Reply
    • Laura

      July 13, 2017 at 5:38 am

      Thanks, and it takes even less to eat it

      Reply
  5. Veena Azmanov

    July 10, 2017 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    We love salmon and I'm always looking for ways to serve it up. Love this sounds so refreshing

    Reply
    • Laura

      July 13, 2017 at 5:37 am

      It is very refreshing

      Reply
  6. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago

    August 26, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    This looks like a wonderful light summer meal!

    Reply
  7. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

    August 26, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy. I love tartare and your recipe looks so delicious! Even hubby will eat this even though he's not fond of raw fish!

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 02, 2017 at 4:41 am

      I know many people are concerned. A reader told me she uses smoked salmon instead.

      Reply

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