Salmoriglio: the recipe of the very simple Sicilian condiment and ideal for meat and fish

Il salmoriglio it is a typical condiment of Sicilian culinary tradition but also widespread in Calabria. Used for seasoning plates of meat – and, with the addition of parsley, of fish – especially if cooked on the grill, in Sicilian it is called sauerkraut: it is a very easy condiment to prepare thanks to its simple and quick recipe. Extra virgin olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper and garlic are the main ingredients of this sauce which, over time, like every traditional recipe, has multiplied in different variations. If you are organizing a grilled meat or fish with friends, salmoriglio is the best condiment to use: don’t forget to use it on a vegetarian grill as well.

The preparation is very simple: just mix the ingredients – and it is important that they are of quality – and in a few minutes you will have a light and tasty dressing. If you use garlic, don’t forget to remove the internal part more pungent, so that the emulsion is easily digestible. To prepare a salmoriglio suitable for fish, however, we suggest you replace rosemary with oregano or chopped fresh parsley.

If you liked this preparation, also try the recipe for swordfish with salmoriglio, where the sauce is used to cook the fish directly.

How to prepare salmoriglio

To prepare the salmoriglio suitable for meats or vegetables, pour the oil into a bowl, season with salt and add the chilli 1.

Combine the finely chopped garlic already deprived of the core 2.

Add the rosemary 3.

Stir to even out the emulsion 4.

Dip a sprig of rosemary in the emulsion and brush the piece of meat you want while cooking 5.

To prepare the salmoriglio indicated for the fish, pour the oil into another bowl and season with salt 6.

Pour in the lemon juice 7.

Combine the finely chopped garlic 8.

And add the oregano 9.

Stir to even out the emulsion 10.

Dip a sprig of oregano in the emulsion and brush the fish you want while cooking 11.

Bring the salmoriglio to the table, so as to use it to season again, and serve 12.

Advice and conservation

To enrich the salmoriglio as you like, since it is a sauce that lends itself to many variations: if you love spicy you can use more chili, use another type of pepper, or you can replace the lemon juice with wine vinegar white. You can add aromatic herbs such as thyme, marjoram, chives, according to the recipe to be prepared.

Once the salmoriglio has been prepared, it is advisable to use it immediately to prevent it from going sour.