Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (2024)

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A delicious mediterranean diet recipe and an Italian classic: Fresh Marinated Anchovies! With lemon, vinegar and fresh Italian herbs, this Italian food recipe is a classic as an appetizer or even a main dish. Much like the ceviche of South America, the fresh anchovies are cured with acidic juice and a bit of salt.

We highly recommend watching Italian Grandma Lulu’s recipe on how to prepare this dish—with food safety in mind!

Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (1)

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How to Make Fresh Marinated Anchovies

Freeze the Fresh Anchovies

Blue fish like anchovies can contain dangerous parasites which can cause foodborne illness or even death. For the same reason, you’ll want to take these precautions when preparing South American ceviche recipes.

For this reason, you will need to FREEZE the anchovies for a week before marinating them. Freeze them at -4°F (-21°C) per the FDA recommendations. The process of freezing the anchovies kills the most dangerous of the parasites that they can contain.

Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (2)

FDA Recommendations

To learn more about the FDA recommendations for fresh fish like this, check out this link: https://www.fda.gov/media/80777/download

If you are using fresh whole anchovies to make this dish, it’s important that you properly prep the anchovies.

Fillets Without Bones

For this recipe, we need to start with with anchovy fillets that have had the head, organs and spine removed. Many of you will just purchase the anchovies like this (already prepped) from the supermarket or fish market.

For those of you who would prefer to start with whole fresh anchovies and remove the spine, head and organs yourself, see our guide on how to prepare anchovies.

We typically marinate 30-40 fresh anchovy fillets at a time when making this recipe.

Vinegar and Lemon

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Combine two tablespoons of vinegar with the juice of one to two fresh lemons.

Garlic and Herbs

Now we add our Italian flavors:

  • flat leaf italian parsley: a large handful
  • fresh marjoram: a few sprigs
  • fresh thyme: several sprigs
  • fresh garlic: 2 cloves
  • ginger: a small piece (optional)
  • lemon zest: from 1 lemon

Finely mince the herbs and garlic to blend all of the flavors!

How to Make Fresh Marinated Anchovies

Marinate the Fresh Anchovies

It takes at least five to six hours for the fish to cure in the acidic marinade.

Add a layer of fresh anchovy filets to a shallow container, insides up.

Cover the anchovies with the acidic vinegar and lemon mixture and a generous sprinkle of fine salt.

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Then, top with a generous amount of the minced herbs.

We like to add a few red peppercorns to our fresh marinated anchovies because we have a lovely red peppercorn tree outside of the PIATTO™ kitchen in Italy. The red peppercorns add a pop of color and flavor, but they are totally optional. You could instead give the anchovies a pinch of white or black pepper.

Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (5)

Once you’ve added the marinade to one layer of anchovies, you can stack a second layer on top of the first (adding the lemon/vinegar and minced herbs as before). Or, use a second shallow container for the next layer of anchovies.

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Top the marinating anchovies with some fresh lemon zest and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil!

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Let the fresh anchovies marinate in the refrigerator for about 6 hours. Even better, let them marinate overnight!

After the marination, the anchovies will completely change their color. The fish meat will turn grayish-white in color. Even though these fish now look cooked, they are not.

Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (8)

A common way to enjoy Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies? On a piece of fresh Italian bread covered with a thin layer of butter! They are so fresh and delicious!

Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (9)
Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (10)

FAQ: Does the acid ‘cook’ the anchovies?

While these fresh marinated anchovies might look cooked after they have marinated, they are not! The salt and the acid from vinegar and lemon will partially cure these fresh anchovies. They will change color during this curing process, which makes many people erroneously think they are actually cooked with the acid.

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Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies Recipe

PIATTO RECIPES

Fresh Marinated Anchovies! With lemon, vinegar and fresh Italian herbs, this Italian food recipe is a classic as an appetizer or even a main dish. Much like the ceviche of South America, the fresh anchovies are cured with acidic juice and a bit of salt.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 6 hours hrs

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Freezing to Kill Parasites 7 days d

Total Time 7 days d 6 hours hrs

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Servings 10 people

Ingredients

  • 40 fresh anchovy filets see notes about freezing!
  • 2 whole lemons juice and zest
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar or similar vinegar
  • 2 tsp fine salt or as needed
  • 1 handful flat leaf Italian parsley minced
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme minced
  • 3 sprigs fresh marjoram minced
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • olive oil extra virgin; drizzle
  • fresh ginger optional (to taste)
  • red peppercorns optional (to taste)

Instructions

Prep the Fresh Anchovies

  • If you are not buying the anchovies already prepped (head, organs and spine removed), you'll need to prep them using our guide: https://www.piattorecipes.com/how-to-prepare-fresh-anchovies/

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (12)

  • Prep about 40 anchovy filets for this recipe.

    40 fresh anchovy filets

Freeze the Anchovies

  • FREEZE the anchovies for a week before marinating them. Freeze them at -4°F (-21°C) per the FDA recommendations. The process of freezing the anchovies kills the most dangerous of the parasites that fresh anchovies can contain.

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (13)

Prepare the Liquid

  • Combine the vinegar and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

    2 whole lemons, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Mince the Garlic and Herbs

  • Mince together the garlic and herbs.

    1 handful flat leaf Italian parsley, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, 3 sprigs fresh marjoram, 2 cloves fresh garlic, fresh ginger

Prepare the Anchovies

  • Prepare one layer of anchovy filets (insides up) in a shallow container or dish.

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (14)

  • Cover with the lemon/vinegar mix and a generous sprinkle of fine salt.

    2 tsp fine salt

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (15)

  • Top the anchovies with a generous amount of minced herbs.

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (16)

  • Top with a second layer of anchovies, covering with lemon/vinegar, salt and herbs as you did previously.

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (17)

  • Add a drizzle of olive oil, peppercorns (optional) and the lemon zest.

    olive oil, red peppercorns

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (18)

  • Cover and leave in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 6 hours. Buon appetito!

    Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (19)

Video

Notes

Food Safety

Fresh anchovies (like all blue fish) can contain a parasite which can make you very ill or kill you. Acidic marinades and salt alone will not kill these parasites.

FREEZE the anchovies for a week before marinating them. Freeze them at -4°F (-21°C) per the FDA recommendations. The process of freezing the anchovies kills the most dangerous of the parasites that fresh anchovies can contain.

Please see our guide on how to prepare fresh anchovies for details.

Looks Cooked—but is NOT!

After the marinade, the fresh anchovies will change color. They may look cooked but they are not. Just as raw sushi carries the risk of certain foodborne illnesses, so too do Marinated Fresh Anchovies.

Keyword seafood

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Italian Fresh Marinated Anchovies | Recipe + Video (2024)

FAQs

How long do fresh marinated anchovies last? ›

Since they're quite delicate, you can keep them fresh in the fridge for one or two days at most. The only exception are salted anchovies: These can be kept for up to a month, without losing any organoleptic characteristics.

Can you eat marinated anchovies raw? ›

Technically they are par-cooked and depending on how long they sit in the vinegar, they will be cooked through at different levels. However marinated anchovies can be eaten raw and is a staple in Italian coasts where they simply combine anchovies with olive oil and lemon as an antipasto.

Are marinated anchovies good for you? ›

Anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which offer powerful benefits for your heart. Studies show they may reduce your triglyceride levels, slow the buildup of plaque in your arteries, and reduce your blood pressure. They may also lower your risk of stroke by reducing blood clotting.

Should you refrigerate an open jar of anchovies? ›

Iker Fernández, the company's American brand representative, tells me that he recommends refrigerating all anchovies, no matter the brand. “Although they normally come in tins or jars, they are not heat-treated,” Fernández explains.

Can you eat anchovies straight from the tin? ›

Oil-packed anchovies can be used straight from the tin.

Are anchovies good for high blood pressure? ›

Canned anchovies are often very high in sodium, which may be a health risk for those with high blood pressure. Canned sardines are much lower in this mineral.

Are anchovies good for your liver? ›

Anchovies can potentially help prevent chronic degenerative diseases due to their rich nutrient profile. Various trials prove that omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disorders, fatty liver diseases, arthritis, and certain types of cancer.

Are anchovies high in mercury? ›

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the bodies of fish and other marine life. High levels of mercury consumption can lead to neurological and developmental problems, especially in young children and pregnant women. Fortunately, anchovies are generally considered to be a low-mercury fish.

Are anchovies healthier than sardines? ›

Both are packed with beneficial nutrients. Anchovies have slightly more omega-3s, B vitamins and minerals than sardines, and are a little lower in fat and cholesterol.

Why do Italians like anchovies? ›

Anchovies add tons of umami flavor to dishes, similar to the way fish sauce adds that special something to Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It doesn't necessarily add a fishy taste, but a sharp salty quality that punches up the flavor — it's why we love them!

Why do I crave anchovies? ›

'If you crave salty food, it could mean that your sodium levels are too low, usually due to dehydration (after exercise, illness or drinking alcohol),' says Shona. 'You can quickly replenish it by snacking on things like dried anchovies or salted popcorn, which are naturally high in sodium.

How long do marinated anchovies last in the fridge? ›

A:The White Anchovies Marinated in Sunflower Oil are perishable, so they will be shipped out via Overnight delivery with ice/gel packs, to keep them cold during transit. Q:how long will Fruits de Mer anchovies last in refrigerator once the package is opened? A:The product should be used within 14 days of opening.

Are marinated anchovies ready to eat? ›

Description. Our 1kg tub of plain marinated anchovies are ready to eat or perfect as part of a fish supper. A long shelf life due in part to the packaging they come in.

Are anchovies high in sugar? ›

Nutrition Info

A portion of five anchovy fillets (canned in oil and drained; about 20g) has 42 calories, 5.8g protein, 1.9g of fat, and no carbohydrates, fiber, or sugar. Anchovies are an excellent source of calcium, iron, and zinc. In their cured form, they are also high in sodium.

How long do anchovies last in the refrigerator? ›

It's surprisingly easy to store opened anchovies. An unopened can will be good for at least 1 year if it's stored at room temperature, and according to The New Food Lover's Companion, once that can is open, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 months if you keep the fish in oil and in an airtight container.

How can you tell if anchovies have gone bad? ›

One of the most obvious signs of spoilage is a change in color. Fresh anchovies should have a bright silver or blue color, but if they start to turn brown or yellow, it's a sign that they are no longer fresh. In addition, if the anchovies appear slimy or have a mushy texture, it's a sign that they are spoiled.

How to preserve fresh anchovies? ›

It's important that the fillets be on the dry side, since tiny drops of water will hasten spoilage. Then seal the jar and refrigerate. The anchovies should last at least one month in oil, if not longer; just pluck them out as you need them.

How long does anchovy dressing last in fridge? ›

2) About Two Weeks Max. Today's salad dressing should keep for about two weeks in the fridge. Meaning you can make this recipe well ahead of time. 3) Let it Warm before Using.

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