Artificial Food Coloring Free Beef Carpaccio with Herb Oil & Capers
Raw beef done right is one of the most elegant things you can put on a dinner table, and this version delivers that silky, melt-on-your-tongue texture that makes carpaccio so special. Every component here is completely whole and unprocessed — fresh tenderloin, real herbs, good olive oil, briny capers, and peppery arugula — so there's nothing synthetic hiding in the mix. That matters more than you might think, since even "simple" restaurant dishes can sneak in pre-made dressings or garnishes loaded with artificial dyes and additives. Here, the vibrant green of the herb oil comes entirely from fresh flat-leaf parsley and chives, and the brightness on the plate is all lemon zest and baby arugula doing their natural thing. The technique of briefly freezing the tenderloin before slicing is the real secret to getting those paper-thin, nearly translucent pieces without any special equipment. A quick pound between plastic wrap finishes the job, and then it's just a matter of drizzling, scattering, and serving immediately for maximum freshness. It's the kind of dish that looks like it came from a serious restaurant kitchen but is completely achievable at home with clean, trustworthy ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the carpaccio
- 8 oz beef tenderloin, center-cut, trimmed of any sinew
For the herb oil
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely sliced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 1 tbsp capers, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup baby arugula
- 4 thin lemon slices (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 much easier.
- 2
While the beef chills, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, chives, and 1/4 tsp sea salt in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
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