
I'm sharing my smoked salmon carpaccio that wows every dinner guest. Silky salmon slices topped with crunchy capers and fresh herbs make an elegant starter bursting with flavor. What truly makes this dish special is how the textures and tastes blend together.
This dish's strong points
I love how the smoky salmon flavor mingles with the salty crunch of fried capers. The herb dressing adds a freshness that makes each bite amazing. When friends drop by, I can whip this up quickly and its restaurant-quality look never fails to get compliments.
What you'll need
- For the dressing: I mix up a finely chopped shallot, one minced garlic clove, my top-shelf olive oil, whole grain mustard and fresh lemon juice.
- The crunchy capers: Two tablespoons of capers lightly coated in cassava flour turn into tasty crispy bites.
- The salmon: 250g of premium smoked salmon cut into 5cm pieces.
- The finishing touch: Fresh dill, cracked pepper and a few croutons on the side.
How I make it
- The ideal dressing
- I start by whisking my shallot, garlic, olive oil, mustard and lemon together. I give the flavors a few minutes to blend.
- The crunchy capers
- My favorite part is turning plain capers into golden nuggets. A light flour coating and a quick fry until they're golden brown.
- Putting it all together
- I carefully arrange my salmon slices, pour over my tasty dressing, scatter the crispy capers and finish with dill and pepper. A few croutons on the side and it's done.

My helpful tips
This dish tastes best when served right away. I like to pair it with a crisp white wine or lemon sparkling water. If you need to prep ahead, keep the dressing and crunchy capers separate until the last minute to keep their perfect texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can this carpaccio be prepped ahead?
You can make the sauce and fry the capers in advance. For the freshest taste and crispy capers, assemble just before serving.
- → How do you make perfect crispy capers?
Dry the capers thoroughly after rinsing and coat them lightly in flour. Make sure the oil is properly heated but not too hot to avoid burning.
- → What kind of salmon works best?
Go for high-quality smoked salmon sliced thinly. Scottish or Norwegian salmon is an excellent choice for this dish.
- → What can replace crostinis?
Swap crostinis with toasted country bread or blinis. For a more minimalist option, serve the carpaccio on its own.
- → What's the best way to store leftovers?
This carpaccio tastes best fresh. If needed, keep the salmon and dressing separately in the fridge and combine just before eating.