Authentic Greek Tarama Dip (Taramasalata) - Real Greek Recipes (2024)

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Taramasalata is a salty seafood dip that's served during Greek lent. But also as an appetizer in traditional Greek restaurants.

Authentic Greek Tarama Dip (Taramasalata) - Real Greek Recipes (1)
Table Of Contents
  • What's Tarama?
  • Two Versions
  • SERVE WITH 🠫
  • Recipe

What's Tarama?

Tarama is the cured eggs of carp fish, grey mullet, or cod. In Greece, we have two types of Tarama. The one we call the White one, which is, in fact, a yellowish one, and the Pink one. Authentic Tarama is originally white (yellowish), but the pink color is added to it only to make it look more eye-catching. The flavor in both types is almost exactly the same (the white one being a touch stronger).

The Greek Tarama Dipis made using either potatoes or bread as a base, lemon juice, olive oil, onion, and sometimes walnuts or almonds. It's a favorite Greek Meze, that goes perfectly with Ouzo.

Authentic Greek Tarama Dip (Taramasalata) - Real Greek Recipes (2)

The Greek Traditions

This Dip is one of the highlight dishes during the Greek Lent and Clean Monday. Too much Greek stuff in one paragraph? Don't worry I'll explain each one in the text below...

Clean Monday, is the first day of the Greek Lent, which lasts for 40 days until Pascha (Easter). These days, the people who follow lent do not consume meat, dairy, and fish. Seafood like mussels, octopus, and squid, for example, are allowed since they do not contain blood in theirbodies.

In older times, when people were a lot more religious, Greek Lent was followed by almost everyone. Today, most people just follow lent only during the day of Clean Monday, and during the last week before Easter. The last week before Easter is what we call the Long week. Because it's the week that the suffering and death of Christ took place. But that's all with the religious stuff and time to move to another Traditional Greek topic, MEZEEEE!

Authentic Greek Tarama Dip (Taramasalata) - Real Greek Recipes (3)

A Traditional Greek Meze

Like I said in the text above I'm going to explain every Greek thing I mentioned. So, Greek Tarama Dip (Taramosalata) is a favorite Greek Meze. Meze is what we call in Greece the different small plates, that are served along with alcohol (Traditionally Ouzo or Raki but sometimes even wine) prior to the main meal (in most cases lunch). Meze plates are usually dips, spreads, marinated fish, and seafood, or even cheese. A Meze plate usually contains vinegar, garlic, or lemon in order to be appetizing and make you really hungry for the main meal.

Two Versions

The recipe for Greek Tarama Dip that I'm sharing here is for making both Pink Tarama and White Tarama. The White One has a bit stronger fish flavor and is made with soaked stale bread as a base. While the Pink one has a more subtle fish flavor and is made with potatoes as a base. You can try both or play it safe and make just the pink one which is more widely consumed. Personally, I like both.

SERVE WITH 🠫

Taramasalata is traditionally served on the day of Clean Monday (the beginning of Greek Lent) together with Lagana bread (sesame flatbread), Fasolatha (white bean and tomato soup), or Gigantes (baked giant beans).

If you're skipping the traditional Lent dishes, Kalamata olives are a must for this dip. Their strong vinegary salty flavor pairs so well with this dip.

Recipe

Authentic Greek Tarama Dip (Taramasalata) - Real Greek Recipes (5)

Greek Tarama Dip (Taramosalata)

Here's how you can make both versions of Greek Tarama Dip (Pink + White). Made with fish roe and either stale bread or potatoes as a base.

3.90 from 69 votes

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Course: Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: Fish, Paleo, potatoes

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 bowls

Calories: 2043kcal

Ingredients

For Making The Pink Tarama:

  • 250 grams (8.8 oz) potatoes Yukon gold or Russets
  • 70 grams (2.4 oz) red onion
  • 140 grams (8 tablespoons) pink Tarama fish roe
  • 100 grams (10 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil
  • 40 grams (4 tablespoons) lemon juice fresh

For Making The White Tarama:

  • 400 grams / 14 oz stale bread, crust removed
  • 160 grams / 5.6 oz white Tarama fish roe
  • 150 grams / 5.3 oz white onion
  • 170 ml olive oil
  • 100 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

To Make The Pink Tarama:

  • Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. Add them to a cooking pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer the potatoes until completely soft and tender.

  • Drain the potatoes and transfer them back to the hot pot. Mash them with a fork or potato masher. Set aside to cool down to room temperature.

  • Cut the onion into smaller pieces and add to a food processor. Pulse until smooth.

  • Then add the pink Tarama to the food processor along with the olive oil and pulse until thick paste forms.

  • Add the lemon juice and blend until uniform.

  • Add the mashed potatoes in batches to the food processor and pulse until fully incorporated.

  • Serve the Tarama straight away or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To Make The White Tarama:

  • Place the stale bread in a bowl and pour enough water to cover the bread. Let the bread soak for about 1 hour. Then remove the bread from the bowl and squeeze it really well with your hands to remove all the water. Place it in a bowl and set it aside.

  • Peel the onion and cut it into smaller pieces. Place inside a blender or food processor along with the lemon juice and white Tarama. Blend until smooth paste forms. Then incorporate the bread in bits at a time and keep blending until nice and smooth.

  • Add the olive oil in slowly, while keep blending until it all gets incorporated into the dip. Then place the Tarama Dip in a bowl or food container and refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowl | Calories: 2043kcal | Carbohydrates: 135g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 151g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Monounsaturated Fat: 98g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 470mg | Sodium: 2161mg | Potassium: 1189mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 737IU | Vitamin C: 61mg | Calcium: 516mg | Iron: 19mg

Tried this recipe?I would love to see! Mention @real_greek_recipes or tag #real_greek_recipes!

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Authentic Greek Tarama Dip (Taramasalata) - Real Greek Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between tarama and taramasalata? ›

Taramasalata is a creamy mixture made of fish roe (tarama), olive oil, lemon juice, onion and bread. The Greeks call it a salad (salata), but we refer to it as a dip. The colour is striking, which varies from light beige to bright pink and depends, among other things, on the type of fish roe used.

What does the Greek word taramasalata mean? ›

Taramasalata in modern Greek means literally 'salad of preserved roe' (Greek taramas was borrowed from Turkish tarama, 'soft roe').

What's taramasalata made of? ›

Taramasalata or taramosalata (Greek: ταραμοσαλάτα; from taramás 'fish roe' < Turkish: tarama + Greek: saláta 'salad' < Italian: insalata) is a meze made from tarama, the salted and cured roe (colloquially referred to as caviar) of the cod, carp, or grey mullet (bottarga) mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, and a starchy ...

What is the difference between white and pink tarama? ›

Tarama is the cured eggs of carp fish, grey mullet, or cod. In Greece, we have two types of Tarama. The one we call the White one, which is, in fact, a yellowish one, and the Pink one. Authentic Tarama is originally white (yellowish), but the pink color is added to it only to make it look more eye-catching.

Why is taramasalata so fattening? ›

Taramasalata is very high in saturated fat, which has been linked to heart disease. Hummus is less calorific than taramasalata. It's a good source of fibre, which helps to prevent constipation. It is high in magnesium, which participates in hundreds of processes within the body, including energy production.

Why is my taramasalata bitter? ›

Also if you have used olive oil in the taramasalata this can cause the roe to taste a little odd, particularly if it a very "grassy" olive oil. If the taramasalata is too bitter then you would probably need to add extra breadcrumbs and also oil. And use a flavourless vegetable oil rather than olive oil.

What do you eat with taramasalata? ›

Taramasalata is a traditional Greek dish made from salted and cured fish roe, olive oil, lemon juice and water. It is creamy and delicious! It is great served with crudités or bread!

Why is tarama pink? ›

I like the tarama that is almost yellow in colour – it gives the taramasalata a subtle flavour and a light cream colour. Most likely though, the reddish fish roe is what you will find, which is a fine substitute and what gives taramasalata its more commonly seen pink hue.

What is the Greek word for dip? ›

Baptism is a word derived from the Greek word "baptizo" which means to immerse or dip.

Is taramasalata high in sodium? ›

Taramasalata, which is made from salted or smoked cod roe, was the saltiest, with an average salt content of 1.25g per 100g, compared with tomato salsa, which was the least salty, containing an average 0.49g per 100g.

What is the shelf life of taramasalata? ›

Tarama can be sealed with a little olive oil and refrigerated; taramasalata should be covered tightly with plastic wrap and will keep in the refrigerator for two weeks, so it can be made well in advance.

How long does tarama last in the fridge? ›

You can purchase our ready made Tarama tubs, but if you really enjoy it or are hosting a few for a dinner party, making your own a batch is a cheap and nice idea. Tarama contains lemon juice, which contribute to extended fridge life, where it can be stored up to 6 days.

What is black tarama? ›

It's made from classic cod egg tarama that has been smoked with beechwood by Petrossian. Up to 5% of Tuber melanosporum black truffle pieces are then added. The briny, smoky flavours mix with the strong aroma of truffle in perfect harmony.

Is tarama good for you? ›

The roe provides a boost of cancer-fighting vitamin D and brain-supporting omega-3 fatty acids. The high content of vitamins A and K2 work synergistically to prevent toxicity and over-calcification of the bones, heart, and kidneys. .

Can you eat tarama when fasting? ›

Taramosalata is appropriate for fasting periods and is a valued food during Lent, though it's delicious enough to be savored any time.

Is it taramasalata or taramosalata? ›

It is a very addictive dip made from fish roe, a lot of olive oil, bread or potatoes. First of all though, I want to set the record straight on the name; it is called Taramosalata NOT Taramasalata. No Greek ever calls it Taramasalata, so you shouldn't either.

What does tarama taste like? ›

Because tarama is actually tiny fish eggs preserved in salt, taramasalata is full of umami flavor. Additionally, the lemon juice gives it a zingy taste and freshness while the oil (because it's emulsified the same way as with mayonnaise) provides creaminess and body.

What is pink taramasalata made of? ›

The preamble to pleasure. As a fully fledged appetizer, the pink taramasalata of La Maison Nordique is made from high-quality salted and smoked hard roe, using traditional know-how.

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