First, don’t slice too thick. Thick raw beef is just… chewy sadness. Thin is the whole point. Second, don’t drown it in dressing—you want to taste the beef, not a salad. And third, don’t serve it straight from the fridge; let it sit for a few minutes so it softens slightly. Cold, hard beef is a sad, cold, hard reality.
Also, don’t serve it to your vegan friend unless you want to be the villain in their story. Have some bread and olives ready as backup.
Fun variations to blow your mind
While beef is classic, Italians also make carpaccio with fish (like tuna or sea bass), veggies (zucchini or beetroot), or even mushrooms. Yes, you can eat raw mushrooms, and they won’t turn you into a toad. Try a beetroot carpaccio with goat cheese and pistachios—it’s like eating a jewel. But for purists? Nothing beats the original raw beef. It’s the Elvis of raw dishes.
Best Italian Beef Carpaccio Recipe at Henry Lawrence blog