How to Make Sashimi

Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: November 17, 2019 References

Sashimi is made from fresh fish that you slice into delicate, bite-sized pieces. People often plate sashimi with a variety of fresh vegetables and other complements to accent the colors and flavors of the fish. If you want to create your own gourmet sashimi at home, visit your local fresh fish market to get started!

Ingredients

4 oz (110 g) of fresh salmon
4 oz (110 g) of fresh tuna
4 oz (110 g) of fresh yellowtail
1 bunch of cilantro, rinsed and chopped
1 tablespoon (15 mL) of sesame oil
1 daikon radish
1 whole cucumber
1 whole carrot
8 oz (230 g) of sushi rice (optional)
1/4 of an avocado
1/2 of a fresh lemon
4 shiso leaves
1 0.5 in (1.3 cm) ball of wasabi
2 fl oz (59 mL) of soy sauce

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Sashimi Ingredients

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1
Purchase 4 oz (110 g) each of sushi grade salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. The fish you use to make sashimi needs to be incredibly fresh. Go to a fish market and purchase sushi grade salmon, tuna, or yellowtail. Do not buy fish that is not considered safe to eat raw!^{[1]
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- If there is no fish market in your area, try visiting an Asian market that has a seafood counter or ask the employees at your grocery store’s fish counter if they have any sushi grade fish available. Keep in mind that this usually just means the fish was previously frozen to kill any parasites.^{[2]
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- Tell the fish monger or fish counter employee that you are making sashimi and ask them to cut it into a sashimi block so that you only have to purchase what you need to make sashimi.
To choose fresh fish, check for…

Skin that is moist and shiny

Flesh that is firm to the touch

The scent of the sea
2
Choose fresh vegetables to pair with sashimi. Sashimi is often served with a selection of fresh raw vegetables to complement the flavors of the fresh fish. Pick up a few fresh, whole veggies at the market when you purchase the fish. Some good options include:
- Daikon radish
- Cucumber
- Carrots
- Avocado
- Shiso leaves
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3
Select condiments to flavor the sashimi. You can enjoy your sashimi plain, or you can add condiments to flavor the fish. Some good options include:
- Lemon slices
- Pickled ginger
- Wasabi
- Soy sauce
4
Cook 8 oz (230 g) of sushi rice to top with individual slices of sashimi. Rice is optional for sashimi, but it is a nice complement. Cook the rice according to the package’s instructions. Then, let the rice cool completely before using it. Mold the rice into 1 in (2.5 cm) sized balls.^{[3]
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- You may season the rice with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of rice vinegar, ½ teaspoon (3 g) of salt, and ¾ of a tablespoon (12 g) of sugar if desired, or leave it plain.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cutting the Fish into Sashimi Slices

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1
Get a very sharp knife. Your knife needs to be razor sharp to cut sashimi properly. Choose the sharpest knife you have or sharpen a knife before you cut the sashimi if needed.^{[4]
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- Avoid using a serrated knife since this will rip and tear at the fish. The goal is to cut the fish in a single motion and to keep the edges as smooth as possible.
2
Coat the block of tuna with sesame oil and cilantro and sear it. This is optional, but it is a nice way to add flavor to the fish. Coat the outside of the block of tuna with sesame oil and then press it into fresh chopped cilantro leaves. Heat a non-stick frying pan over high heat and place the tuna onto the pan. Let the block cook on the first side for 15 seconds, and then rotate the block 45 degrees to turn it onto the next side.^{[5]
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- Continue to rotate the block and cook for 15 seconds on each side until all 4 sides of the block have been cooked. Then, remove the block of fish from the pan and place it back onto your cutting board.
- If desired, you may do this for the salmon and yellowtail as well, or you may only sear the tuna.
If you don’t like the taste of raw fish, you can also cook the fish fully for a less authentic take on sashimi.
3
Cut the fish into 0.25 to 0.5 in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) slices. Place each of your raw or seared blocks of fish onto a clean cutting board. Then, begin cutting a block into slices. Cut straight across the fish with 1 motion. Repeat to the end of the fish block.^{[6]
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- When you cut the salmon, hold the knife at a 45 degree angle to the cutting board. Then, cut the fish down towards the board at the angle to create slices that are slightly angled. Make sure to cut with the grain so that each slice will have several lines running across it.
- Do not saw back and forth across the fish! This will rip the fish and it may ruin the shape of your slices. If the knife is not sharp enough to cut the first slice with 1 motion, sharpen it or get a new knife.
4
Arrange the slices so they are in an overlapping row. Once you have finished cutting the fish into slices, place it into a slightly fanned out stack. The slices should appear to be overlapping each other like a hand of poker cards or dominoes that have fallen over.^{[7]
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- Do this for each type of fish.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Plating the Sashimi

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1
Shred daikon radish, carrots, and cucumber. Use a cheese grater to shred your fresh vegetables. Place the shredded veggies into a bowl or plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready for them. Put 1 pile of each kind of shredded veggie you are using on the plate.^{[8]
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- If you are only using 1 type of veggie, then place it in the center of the plate.
- If you are using 2 or more kinds of shredded veggies, arrange them in a row in the center of the plate.
Get a decorative sushi platter to display your sashimi, or use a wooden cutting board for a simple way to present the dish!
2
Slice lemon, avocado, and cucumber 0.25 in (0.64 cm) thin. Cut the lemon, avocado, and cucumber into very thin slices. Then, arrange these so that they are slightly fanned out and position them in front of the shredded veggies.^{[9]
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- Try to arrange the items so that they contrast with the colors of the other items. For example, place the lemon next to the daikon, the avocado next to the shredded cucumber, and the sliced cucumber next to the shredded carrots.
3
Lay the fanned out sashimi slices on top of the shredded veggies. Once you have finished arranging the veggies and other additions in a pleasing manner, add the sashimi slices to the plate. Place the sashimi slices so that they are halfway between the beds of shredded veggies and the sliced sashimi complements.^{[10]
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- Consider the color of the fish when choosing where to place it. For example, you might place the red tuna on top of the white daikon radish, the orange salmon on top of the shredded cucumber, and the white yellowtail on top of the shredded carrots.
- If you are serving your sashimi slices on rice balls, place individual slices of sashimi onto each of the rice balls or keep the rice separate and combine the rice and fish as you eat 1 piece at a time.
4
Add some ginger, shiso leaves, and a ball of wasabi if desired. These are traditional condiment items that you can add to the plate. Place these along the edges of your sliced sashimi complements so they will be easy to access.^{[11]
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- For example, place the ball of wasabi next to the lemon slices, the pickled ginger next to the avocado, and the shiso leaves next to the cucumber slices.
5
Pour 2 fl oz (59 mL) of soy sauce into a small bowl. Soy sauce is also a traditional condiment for sashimi. Place it into a bowl and position the bowl on the edge of the sashimi plate for easy dipping.
- After you have your soy sauce on the plate, the sashimi is ready to eat! Serve it immediately!

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I use any kind of fish?

Community Answer

Yes, but beware swordfish and shark. Raw swordfish and shark have higher levels of mercury, and can be dangerous to children and pregnant women.

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How many people does sashimi normally feed?

Michele

Top Answerer

As many as you prepare it for. The amount and portion of fish you serve is up to you. On average, figure 6 - 8 ounces of fish per person.

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Can I add the rice onto the sashimi?

Michele

Top Answerer

If you add rice to raw fish it's sushi. Sashimi is raw fish without the rice. Alternatively, you can make chirashi sushi, which is a bowl of sushi rice and the raw fish placed on top.

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Warnings

Never use other types of meat to make sashimi! You can get very sick from eating raw chicken, pork, or other types of meat.^{[12]
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