What red caviar is
Red caviar is the salted roe of salmon, usually pink or chum salmon, with large orange-red pearls that pop in the mouth. It is also sold as salmon roe, and the Japanese name is ikura. It is different from sturgeon caviar, which has small grey to black eggs and is considerably more expensive. Red caviar is a long-standing festive food across Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, where it is a staple of celebration tables, especially at New Year.
Classic Eastern European ways to serve it
Buttered bread (buterbrody)
The simplest and perhaps the most traditional option: a slice of white bread or baguette, spread with a thin layer of unsalted butter and topped with a spoonful of roe. Chefs with Eastern European backgrounds often recommend neutral, rich partners like butter, potatoes and blini so the caviar is not overwhelmed.
Blini with sour cream
Thin yeasted pancakes or small thick pancakes are served warm with sour cream or crème fraîche and roe. Blini are also associated with Maslenitsa, the pre-Lenten festival in Slavic cultures; for what is eaten once Lent begins, see our recipes for the Lenten season.
Stuffed eggs
Halve hard-boiled eggs, mix the yolks with mayonnaise or sour cream and a pinch of salt, pile the filling back in and add a small spoonful of roe on top.
Potatoes, tartlets and other bites
Small boiled new potatoes with sour cream, crispy potato pancakes, cucumber rounds, or pastry cups all work as neutral bases. Lighter options like buckwheat blini are another idea.
Simple recipes
Red caviar toasts (about 12 pieces)
- 6 slices of baguette or white bread
- 2 to 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
- 3 to 4 tablespoons red caviar
- Fresh dill, optional
Toast or leave the bread plain, spread with butter, top with caviar and garnish with dill.
Caviar eggs (6 halves)
- 3 hard-boiled eggs
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1 to 2 tablespoons red caviar
- Chives or dill
Halve the eggs, mash the yolks with mayonnaise, spoon back into the whites and top with roe.
Blini with sour cream and roe
Make or buy small blini, warm them, add a dollop of sour cream and a small spoonful of roe.
Quantities are a guide. Roe is salty, so go lightly with added salt in the rest of the recipe.
What to eat with caviar and what to drink
Mild, creamy, starchy foods suit it best: butter, eggs, potatoes, blini, sour cream and plain bread. Common drinks are chilled vodka, sparkling wine or dry white wine. Strong sauces, raw onion or heavy spices tend to overpower the roe. Keep it chilled, and serve with a non-metallic spoon if you want to follow the traditional advice for fine caviar, though for everyday red roe this is less strict.
Choosing and storing red caviar
- Check the ingredient list: good roe is mostly eggs, salt, and sometimes a preservative.
- Look at the date and keep it refrigerated at all times.
- Eggs should look whole and glossy, not broken or cloudy.
- Once opened, keep it covered in the fridge and eat it within a few days.
- Avoid roe that smells strongly fishy or sour.
Curing salmon roe at home
If you have fresh salmon egg skeins, you can cure the roe in a salt brine. A common method is to dissolve salt and a little sugar in warm water, gently rub the skeins over a mesh screen so the eggs separate into the brine, stir for around 15 to 20 minutes, drain, and chill. Because raw fish products carry food-safety considerations, use very fresh fish and follow trusted guidance. Store-bought roe is the simpler choice for most people.
Is red caviar good for you?
Salmon roe is a source of protein and fish-derived fats, and it is eaten in small quantities. It is also quite salty. People who are pregnant, have medical conditions, or are on a low-salt diet should check with a doctor or follow the guidance of their health authority before eating raw or lightly cured fish products.
Is Russian caviar of good quality?
Quality depends on the producer, the species, the processing and the storage, not simply the country. Russia and other nearby countries have a long tradition of producing salmon roe, but brands and grades vary widely. Read labels, buy from reputable sellers, and compare.