Fresh Tuna Crudo is one of the simplest ways to enjoy high-quality sushi-grade tuna at home. Thin slices of raw tuna are arranged on a platter and topped with a bright lemon caper vinaigrette, tiny diced cucumber, and red onion for a fresh contrast in flavor and texture.
The combination is light, clean, and incredibly satisfying. Fresh tuna crudo is best served immediately after preparing, so the sushi-grade tuna stays cold, silky, and fresh.
Why You Will Love This Tuna Crudo Recipe
- Restaurant-style seafood dish: Fresh tuna crudo is commonly served in Italian restaurants and upscale seafood spots, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
- Quick and simple recipe: This tuna dish takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and requires no cooking.
- Bright fresh flavors: The lemon, olive oil, capers, cucumber, and onion add balance to the rich tuna.
- Perfect for entertaining: Thinly sliced tuna served crudo style always looks beautiful and impressive on a platter.
- Light and refreshing seafood dish: This crudo recipe is a great option when you want something fresh, that isn’t heavy.
What is Tuna Crudo?
The word crudo means raw in Italian. Tuna crudo is a simple dish made with thinly sliced raw tuna dressed lightly with olive oil, citrus, and seasonings.
It is similar to:
- sashimi
- tuna carpaccio
- tuna tartare
However, crudo is typically sliced rather than diced and finished with a light vinaigrette.The key to great tuna crudo is high-quality sushi-grade fish and simple ingredients that enhance the tuna rather than overpower it.
What Does Sushi-Grade Tuna Mean?
Sushi-grade tuna refers to fish that is safe to eat raw and has been handled properly for raw consumption. When making tuna crudo, always purchase high-quality tuna from a trusted seafood market or fishmonger. Fresh ahi tuna or bluefin tuna are the most commonly used types for crudo.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Tuna: Ahi (yellowfin), bluefin, or bigeye tuna are all excellent choices.
- Golden balsamic vinegar: White balsamic vinegar, champagne vinegar or rice wine vinegar are great substitutes.
- Capers: Easily replace with finely chopped green olives.
- Red onion: Shallots provide a milder flavor.
- Cucumber: English cucumber works best because it has fewer seeds.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional, if you prefer no heat.
Slicing Tuna for Crudo
- Place the tuna loin in the freezer for about 5 minutes to firm it slightly.
- Using a very sharp knife, slice the tuna against the grain, using a gentle glide technique, into thin slices about ⅛ inch thick.
How to Make Fresh Tuna Crudo at Home
Fresh tuna crudo is very simple to prepare at home with sushi-grade tuna and a few fresh ingredients. The key is slicing the tuna thinly and finishing it with a bright dressing like lemon, olive oil, and capers. Once the tuna is plated, the vinaigrette and garnishes are added just before serving so the fish stays fresh and silky.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette.
- Thinly slice the tuna and arrange on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle the tiny diced cucumber and red onion evenly across the tuna.
- Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the top.
- Finish with a light sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve this fresh tuna crudo as an appetizer, or quick lunch, with crostini or toasted baguette. Tuna crudo is best eaten immediately.
- Store, if needed, tightly covered in the fridge for up to a day. The texture of the fresh tuna will change slightly when stored.
- Freezing will change the texture of the fish, and is not recommended once the dish has been assembled.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is tuna crudo safe to eat? Yes, as long as you use sushi-grade fish that is intended for raw consumption, and keep it properly refrigerated.
- How thin should tuna be sliced for crudo? About ⅛ inch thick. Thin slices allow the vinaigrette to coat the fish evenly.
- Can tuna crudo be made ahead? The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead of time, but the tuna should be sliced and assembled right before serving.
- What fish can be used instead of tuna? This same preparation works well with:
- salmon
- hamachi (yellowtail)
- scallops
- snapper
More Fresh Tuna Recipes to Love
Fresh Tuna Crudo is made with sushi-grade tuna that is thinly sliced and dressed with lemon caper vinaigrette, olive oil, cucumber, and red onion. This Italian-style crudo recipe highlights the natural flavor of raw tuna with bright citrus and briny capers. Tuna crudo is similar to sashimi or carpaccio and is a light seafood dish that can be served as an elegant starter or simple appetizer.
Print
Fresh Tuna Crudo
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Fresh Tuna Crudo made with sushi-grade tuna, lemon caper vinaigrette, cucumber, and red onion. A simple restaurant-style raw tuna dish that is light, elegant, and ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces sushi-grade tuna loin, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons cucumber, tiny diced
- 2 teaspoons red onion, tiny diced
- freshly cracked black pepper, for finishing
- pinch of flaky salt, for finishing
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons good quality olive oil,
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 teaspoons golden balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette.
- Thinly slice the tuna and arrange on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle the tiny diced cucumber and red onion evenly across the tuna.
- Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the top.
- Finish with a light sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Always use sushi-grade tuna from a trusted seafood market.
- Keep the tuna cold until ready to slice and serve.
- Use a very sharp knife to get clean slices without tearing the fish.
- Slice the tuna just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
- For extra flavor, finish the dish with lemon zest or flaky sea salt.
- This recipe can easily be doubled for entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Fish and Seafood
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