Gelatin Free Beef Carpaccio with Arugula and Capers
Raw beef done right is one of those dishes that feels impossibly elegant yet comes together with just a knife, a mallet, and a handful of fresh ingredients. The tenderloin is briefly frozen to make slicing effortless, then pounded paper-thin and dressed with a bright lemon-and-olive-oil vinaigrette that's spiked with a touch of ginger for unexpected warmth. A mound of peppery baby arugula sits at the center, and briny capers with fresh parsley scattered over the top give every bite a little pop of flavor. Because this dish is built entirely from whole, unprocessed ingredients — quality beef, citrus, fresh herbs, and good olive oil — there's nothing here that would sneak in unwanted additives or setting agents the way some prepared sauces or store-bought dressings might. That makes it a naturally clean, confident choice for anyone avoiding gelatin or similar thickeners without having to scrutinize a single label. The key is sourcing the freshest tenderloin you can find from a butcher you trust, since the beef is served raw and quality really does show. It's the kind of dish that looks like it came from a restaurant kitchen but rewards anyone willing to spend a few focused minutes at the cutting board.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the carpaccio
- 8 oz beef tenderloin, trimmed of any sinew
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For serving
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Wrap the beef tenderloin tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 25–30 minutes, until the exterior is firm to the touch but not frozen solid — this makes slicing and pounding much easier.
- 2
Remove the beef from the freezer and unwrap it. Using a very sharp knife, slice the tenderloin crosswise into rounds as thin as possible, about 1/8 inch thick.
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