Salmon roe, the bright orange eggs from female salmon, offer a delightful way to add pops of briny flavor to all kinds of dishes. If you’ve bought or been gifted some of these jewel-toned pearls you may be wondering what to do with salmon roe.
While salmon roe may seem fancy, it’s actually easy to incorporate into recipes A little bit of salmon roe goes a long way in providing a burst of rich ocean flavor This seafood delicacy can instantly elevate everyday meals into gourmet experiences.
Here are 10 creative and delicious ways to use salmon roe so you can enjoy every last egg:
1. Top Toast or Crackers
One of the simplest ways to serve salmon roe is atop crispy toasts or crackers. The contrast of the creamy, salty roe with the crunch of the toasted bread or cracker makes for a tasty bite.
For an elegant presentation, top toasted baguette slices with crème fraîche or cream cheese, then crown with a spoonful of salmon roe. Garnish with fresh dill or chives.
2. Mix into Rice Dishes
Stir some salmon roe into your next risotto or rice bowl for an instant upgrade in flavor. The briny roe pairs beautifully with creamy Arborio rice in seafood risottos. You can also mix it into sushi rice for homemade nigiri sushi or as a topping for rice bowls.
For the best texture, gently fold in the roe after cooking so the eggs maintain their pop. A sprinkling of roe over fried rice or rice pilaf also adds visual appeal.
3. Swirl into Pasta
Salmon roe makes a stellar topping for all kinds of pasta dishes. Simply cook up your favorite pasta, then mix a few spoonfuls of roe into the hot pasta right before serving. Creamy and rich sauces like carbonara, vodka sauce, or Alfredo pair especially well with the salty pops of roe.
For a restaurant-worthy presentation, use the roe as a finishing garnish over plates of pasta. A sprinkle of fresh dill or chives on top complements the flavors.
4. Add to Seafood Dishes
Of course, salmon roe pairs wonderfully with other types of seafood beyond salmon. Stir roe into chowders, seafood risottos, cioppino, paella, and more. Use it as a garnish for seared scallops or grilled fish fillets.
The briny pearls provide little bursts of ocean essence that enhance any seafood dish. Salmon roe also makes a stellar topper for poke and sushi bowls.
5. Fold into Eggs
Give your morning scramble an upgrade by incorporating some salmon roe. Gently fold the eggs into the eggs after cooking. The roe’s salty flavor complements the rich eggs beautifully.
For an easy appetizer, top deviled eggs with a small spoonful of roe. You can also bake the roe right into quiches, frittatas, and stratas.
6. Toss with Salads
Salmon roe delivers pops of color, texture, and flavor when tossed with fresh salads. Its salty brininess works well with crisp greens, creamy dressings, and bright vegetables.
For composed salads, save the roe to use as a garnish over the finished salad. Try pairing roe with beet salad, spinach salad with goat cheese, or endive salad with pear or grapefruit.
7. Serve on Canapés
Take your hors d’oeuvres up a notch by topping canapés with salmon roe. Spoon some roe over toast points spread with herb cream cheese or crème fraîche. You can also place a small piece of smoked salmon on the toast, then add roe.
For easy appetizers, assemble crostini with tomato-basil relish and ricotta, then crown with salmon roe. The salty, creamy, briny combo can’t be beat.
8.Elevate Avocado Toast
Give your avocado toast an instant upgrade by topping it with salmon roe. Simply smash some avocado onto your favorite toasted bread, then sprinkle plenty of bright orange roe on top. A squeeze of lemon adds some zing.
The rich avocado pairs perfectly with the salty pops of roe. Throw in some smoked salmon for good measure if you want to take it over the top.
9. Use in Sushi
Salmon roe is a key ingredient and topping for many types of sushi. When making homemade sushi, use roe as a topping for nigiri sushi, inside maki rolls, or pressed onto seaweed salad hand rolls.
Beyond sushi, you can also top rice paper summer rolls and Korean ssam wraps with roe for extra flavor and pop. The briny taste works well with the other Asian flavors.
10. Enjoy Solo with a Spoon
Don’t overlook the simple pleasure of eating salmon roe straight up with a spoon. When you have really fresh, top-quality roe, it can be delicious all on its own. The jewel-toned eggs provide little bursts of ocean essence.
For the best flavor, seek out salmon roe from Alaska during peak season. Let the eggs come to room temperature before eating. Savor the roe solo or pair it with crackers, bread, or champagne.
Now that you have plenty of tasty ideas for how to eat salmon roe, it’s time to find some top-quality product. Check your local fishmonger or specialty grocer, or order fresh roe online from reputable seafood purveyors. With proper storage and handling, the roe keeps for 2-4 days refrigerated.
When buying salmon roe, look for bright orange pearls with a plump, glistening appearance. Avoid any roe that looks shriveled or dull. Once you source some stellar roe, get ready to enjoy this delicious and versatile ingredient in many creative ways.
Making Salmon Roe Caviar
Caviar is a lightly salted product of discrete individual eggs. Eggs should be shiny and clear-colored with a mild fish flavor and a “crunch” or “pop” when eaten.
Salmon eggs can be easily processed into caviar. For high quality products, the entire egg sacs, or skeins, should be carefully removed from the fish as soon as it is caught, put into plastic bags and packed in ice. Process these eggs within 24 hours. Although parasite contamination of skeins is relatively uncommon, skeins holding the roe can contain worms. Therefore it is important to remove all of the skein membrane from the eggs and rinse the eggs thoroughly before eating them. Eggs may smell “oily,” but if there is any odor of spoilage, do not use them.
The following steps can be used to easily remove fish eggs from skeins and produce salmon roe caviar:
- Soak whole skeins of eggs in a saturated salt solution* for 5 minutes — this will firm the eggs slightly, making them easier to separate from the skein.
*For a “saturated” salt solution, add 3 pounds of non-iodized salt to 1 gallon of water or 12 ounces of salt to 1 quart of water and dissolve.
- Remove the eggs from the salt solution and place them in a clean sieve (some suggest using the face of tennis racket instead of a sieve). Gently manipulate the eggs to remove them from the skein, removing any blood, bits of skin, salmon or parasites.
- Make a brine solution by dissolving ½ cup of salt in 2 cups of water. Place up to 2 cups of separated eggs into the brine and swirl gently. Allow the eggs to rest for 5 to 30 more minutes in the brine (additional brining will add saltiness and change the texture).
- Pour the eggs into a colander, rinse well with clean, cold water and remove any remaining bits of the skein membrane.
- Store salmon roe caviar tightly covered in the refrigerator for two to three weeks and in the freezer for up to two months. Use glass, ceramic or plastic freezer containers.
Roe prepared in this manner does not require cooking.
There are no safe, tested methods for canning salmon roe caviar at home.
Tasty Salmon Roe Recipe
FAQ
What do I do with salmon roe?
- Caviar Sour Cream Dip With Potato Chips. Melissa Clark. …
- Smoked Salmon Sandwiches With Cucumber, Radish and Herbs. David Tanis. …
- Taramasalata. …
- Spaghetti With Salmon Two Ways. …
- Salmon-Roe-Topped Baked Potatoes With Crème Fraîche. …
- Artichokes With Caviar Sauce. …
- Salmon Mousse. …
- Nakagawa’s California Sushi.
How long can you keep salmon roe in the fridge?
Your caviar or roe will retain its quality for 4-6 weeks when left unopened and well-refrigerated. Once you open the product, please enjoy it within 3-4 days.
What does salmon roe pair with?
Traditional Presentation: Serve salmon roe with blinis, toast points, or crackers. Add a dollop of crème fraîche to enhance its creamy texture. Fresh Garnishes: Finely chopped chives, dill, or lemon zest can add a fresh contrast to the briny flavor.