Sashimi (Raw Sliced Salmon and Tuna)

Japanese sashimi centres on pristine raw fish, served simply so its flavour, texture and freshness remain the focus. In this version, sashimi-grade salmon and tuna are kept very cold, patted dry and sliced cleanly against the grain for tender, even pieces that feel delicate rather than chewy. Soy sauce and wasabi provide the classic salty, pungent accompaniment without overwhelming the fish. Best served immediately on a chilled plate, it works as a refined appetiser or a light sharing dish, with careful sourcing and cold handling being just as important as the slicing itself.
Cuisine style Japanese raw fish preparation
Flavor profile Clean • Salty • Umami
Techniques Chilling • Precision slicing
Key equipment Very sharp knife • Cutting board
Cooking style No-cook preparation • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 15 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Fast, no-cook preparation: With no cooking required, the dish comes together quickly once the fish is properly chilled and ready to slice.
  • Clean slicing matters: Cutting against the grain with a sharp knife gives neat pieces that eat smoothly rather than tearing or feeling fibrous.
  • Few ingredients, clear focus: Sashimi-grade fish, soy sauce and wasabi keep the flavour direct, letting the texture and freshness of the salmon and tuna lead.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Choose fish carefully: Use sashimi-grade salmon and tuna from a trusted fishmonger, and make clear that the fish will be eaten raw.
  • Keep it cold and dry: Pat the fish dry before slicing and keep it well chilled so the knife passes through cleanly.
  • Check the soy sauce: Soy sauce varies by brand and may contain wheat; use a suitable gluten-free option if needed.

Timing notes

  • Chill before slicing: A brief chill in the coldest part of the fridge helps firm the fish slightly for cleaner, more even slices.
  • Serve straight away: Sashimi is at its best immediately after slicing, while the fish is cold and the texture is fresh.

Common mistakes

  • Avoid sawing cuts: Use one smooth pulling motion with a sharp knife; a dull blade can tear the fish and leave ragged slices.
  • Do not hold it casually: Keep sliced fish covered and very cold if it must wait briefly, and do not refreeze it after serving.

Authenticity notes

  • Minimal seasoning: Sashimi is traditionally served simply, with the fish left plain so its texture and clean flavour remain central.
  • Classic accompaniments: Soy sauce and wasabi are the standard pairings, used as a light dip rather than a heavy sauce.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. Keep the salmon and tuna well chilled until the moment you are ready to slice. Pat the fish dry with kitchen paper, then place it on a cutting board.
  2. Using a very sharp knife, slice the salmon against the grain into clean, even pieces about 5 mm thick. Wipe the blade between cuts for the neatest slices.
  3. Slice the tuna the same way, aiming for similar thickness so it eats evenly. Arrange the fish on a chilled plate if possible.
  4. Pour the soy sauce into a small dipping dish and add the wasabi paste on the side so each person can mix to taste. Serve immediately.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Tips

  • Use sashimi-grade fish from a trusted fishmonger and keep it refrigerated right up to serving.
  • For cleaner slices, chill the fish for 10 minutes in the coldest part of the fridge, then slice in one smooth pull of the knife.
  • Food safety: raw fish is higher risk for pregnant people, young children, older adults, and anyone immunocompromised; consider using cooked fish instead.

Substitutions

  • Replace Soy sauce with light-soy-sauce for a slightly lighter, less intense dip.
  • Replace Wasabi paste with ponzu-sauce for a citrusy dipping sauce.

Storage

  • Sashimi is best eaten immediately. If you must hold it briefly, keep the sliced fish covered and very cold in the fridge and eat within 2 hours; do not re-freeze.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Sashimi (Raw Sliced Salmon and Tuna)
Image by JustRecipes
Pinterest

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 10min (10min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Allergens:
    Fish Soybeans
Beginner friendly

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel
Best value

Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board

Easy-clean double-sided board
  • Separate surfaces for meat and produce
  • Resists odors and stains
  • Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
Top quality

WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Premium German chef knife
  • Excellent build quality
  • Reliable edge retention
  • Expensive
Best overall

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set

Practical everyday board set
  • Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
  • Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
  • Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.