Tuna Carpaccio Recipe with Lemon and Capers

Name: Tuna Carpaccio
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 Ahi tuna steaks (sliced thin); 1 shallot (diced); 2 tablespoons capers; 1 cup arugula; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; Zest of one lemon; Pinch of flaky salt; Pinch of black pepper; Baguette (for serving)

Tuna carpaccio is an elegant Italian-inspired appetizer made with paper-thin slices of raw ahi tuna, bright lemon, briny capers, shallot and peppery arugula. A drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil brings everything together for a light, fresh dish that takes just 10 minutes to assemble.

As a cookbook author and professional recipe developer, I love recipes like this for entertaining because they look restaurant-worthy without requiring much actual cooking. The key is starting with high-quality tuna intended for raw preparation and slicing it as thinly as possible.

Serve this ahi tuna carpaccio with toasted baguette slices for an easy appetizer, date-night starter or light meal.

Ahi tuna carpaccio with capers, shallot, arugula and lemon.

About the Recipe

Tuna carpaccio is a delicious appetizer featuring thinly sliced tuna topped with diced shallots, briny capers, and peppery arugula, all drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve this with slices of a crusty baguette for a perfect accompaniment that will become one of your favorite recipes to make.

Ideal for a dinner party, special occasions, or a light meal at home, this dish shines with its beautiful presentation and delicate flavors. This is a stunning appetizer that will undoubtedly impress your friends and family. It's easy to make but has the appearance and flavor of a gourmet dish.

If you are looking for more tuna recipes, check out our: Tuna Carbonara, Ahi Tuna Lettuce Cups, Ahi Tuna Salad, or Healthy Seared Sesame Ahi Tuna Recipe.

Jump to:

About the Recipe
What Is Tuna Carpaccio?
How to Slice Tuna for Carpaccio
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Directions
Tina's Tips and Tricks
Tuna Carpaccio vs. Tuna Tartare
Kitchen Equipment
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
What To Serve With
Frequently Asked Questions
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Tuna Carpaccio

What Is Tuna Carpaccio?

Tuna carpaccio is a raw tuna preparation made by slicing the fish very thinly and serving it with a simple dressing and garnishes. It is inspired by traditional Italian beef carpaccio, which is also served in paper-thin slices.

Tuna carpaccio is usually dressed lightly so the flavor and texture of the fish remain the focus. Lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, capers and fresh herbs or greens are common additions.

How to Slice Tuna for Carpaccio

Chill the tuna first. Cold tuna is much easier to slice cleanly. If it feels very soft, place it in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes until firm but not frozen solid.
Use a very sharp knife. A long slicing knife or chef's knife works well.
Slice against the grain. Cut the tuna into very thin slices using smooth strokes rather than sawing back and forth.
Flatten gently if needed. If some pieces are thicker than you'd like, place them between sheets of parchment and gently flatten them.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Ready in 10 minutes: There's no cooking required, so this elegant appetizer comes together incredibly quickly.
Fresh, bright flavor: Lemon, capers, shallot and arugula balance the rich ahi tuna without overpowering it.
Perfect for entertaining: Tuna carpaccio looks restaurant-worthy but is surprisingly simple to assemble.
Easy to customize: Keep it classic or add avocado, fennel, herbs or a touch of heat.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for this raw tuna recipe:

Tuna - Because this recipe is served raw, buy tuna specifically intended for raw consumption from a trusted fishmonger or seafood counter. Ask the seller whether the tuna is appropriate for sushi, sashimi or other raw preparations. The term "sushi-grade" is commonly used by retailers, but it is not a standardized U.S. government grading system. When serving fish raw, source it from a reputable supplier and tell them you plan to eat it raw.
Shallot - Substitute shallot with sliced red onion.
Capers
Arugula
Olive oil - Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Lemon - You will use both lemon zest and lemon juice.
Salt & black pepper - Use flaky salt for the best flavor and an appealing presentation.
Baguette

Directions

Let's make this tuna recipe together!

Step 1

Place the tuna on a plate and top with the shallot and capers.

Step 2

Drizzle the tuna with the olive oil and lemon juice.

Step 3

Top with the arugula, lemon zest, salt and black pepper.

Step 4

Serve with sliced baguette and enjoy!

Tina's Tips and Tricks

Here are some expert tips to make this appetizer:

Start with very cold tuna. Cold fish is firmer and much easier to slice thinly.
Use the sharpest knife you have. Clean cuts give the carpaccio a much better texture and presentation.
Don't dress it too early. Lemon juice begins changing the texture of raw fish, so add the dressing shortly before serving.
Keep the toppings restrained. The tuna should remain the star. A little shallot, capers and arugula go a long way.
Chill the serving plate. A cold plate helps keep the carpaccio fresh while you assemble and serve it.
Serve immediately. This is not a dish that improves by sitting around.

Tuna Carpaccio vs. Tuna Tartare

Both tuna carpaccio and tuna tartare are made with raw tuna, but the preparation is different.

Tuna carpaccio is sliced very thinly and arranged flat on a plate.
Tuna tartare is cut into small cubes and usually tossed with seasonings or a dressing before serving.

Carpaccio has a more delicate texture and presentation, while tartare tends to be chunkier and more heavily dressed.

Kitchen Equipment

Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.

Serving Tray - This set of serving trays is perfect for a variety of different dishes.
Sharp knife - A sharp knife is essential in making sure you are able to get those thin, uniform slices of tuna.

Recipe Substitutions/Variations

Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this simple recipe.

Tuna: Yellowfin ahi tuna is my first choice. Bluefin can also work if sourced appropriately for raw consumption.
Citrus: Swap some or all of the lemon juice for lime or orange juice.
Greens: Replace arugula with microgreens or omit the greens entirely for an even simpler presentation.
Avocado: Add very thin avocado slices for extra richness.
Fennel: Paper-thin shaved fennel adds crunch and a mild anise flavor.
Heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few thin slices of fresh chile.

What To Serve With

Here are some recipes to serve alongside this tuna carpaccio recipe:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen tuna instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen tuna instead of fresh for this Tuna Carpaccio recipe. However, it's important to ensure that the frozen tuna is of high quality and sushi grade. Freezing may slightly alter the texture of the tuna, so keep this in mind when preparing the dish.

Can I make this ahead of time for a party?

This is best served freshly made, but you could prepare all of the ingredients so assembly is quick and simple when you are ready to serve it.

Are there any variations I could try for the dressing?

Certainly! Here are some variations: a soy ginger dressing with soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil, a citrus vinaigrette with lemon or lime juice and Dijon mustard, a creamy wasabi aioli with mayo and wasabi paste, a sesame miso dressing with miso paste and sesame oil, or a cilantro lime dressing with fresh cilantro and lime juice.

Recipe Storage and Reheating

Tuna carpaccio is best served immediately after assembling.

If you have leftover undressed tuna, store it tightly covered in the refrigerator and follow the storage guidance provided by the fish seller.

I do not recommend storing an already dressed tuna carpaccio for later if you can avoid it, because both the texture and quality deteriorate quickly once the lemon juice is added.

Do not freeze assembled tuna carpaccio.