Some foods are actually better when eaten raw rather than cooked. Raw versions can often retain more of the natural flavor, offer a crunchier texture, and just taste fresher overall. We checked in with online foodies to see what foods they prefer raw rather than cooked - and here are twelve foods they say shine even more when left in their natural state.
Fresh Fruit
While this at first sounded like a given to me, one person replied to this suggestion with: "you're gonna tell me fruit is better raw than in a pie?! or as a compote??". And this person sure has got a point. I still think I prefer my fruits raw - but that's just because I prefer my desserts filled with chocolate, NOT fruit.
Salmon
One fish lover shared: "I love me a cooked salmon steak or filet, and I don't even like it rare. And I am not universally crazy about sushi either. But really good salmon sushi is just sublime." I second that! Still, be careful eating raw salmon as if it's not sushi grade, as it can come with unwanted parasites.
Tomatoes
One foodie suggested tomatoes are better raw than cooked and I couldn't agree more. In salads, they're yummy. When grilled, not as much. But in beef and tomatoes? Mmmm delicious! I guess they work both ways, but if I had to choose how to use a really nice and ripe, juicy tomato straight off the vine? Definitely raw!
Cookie Dough
Eating raw cookie dough brings us back to childhood when we used to lick the bowl once the cookies were put in the oven. Pro tip: To avoid getting salmonella or other bacteria from raw eggs and flour, use pasteurized eggs and microwave your flour for 45 seconds. Or buy ready-made safe-to-eat cookie dough if you're really lazy!
Garden Peas
One food enthusiast said: "Garden Peas, always best right from the garden. Cooking just ruins them." But most people don't know that they can be eaten raw, as seen by the replies to the thread: "I only learned you could eat garden peas raw a few years ago. Game changer!" claimed one, and another replied with "I only learned a few seconds ago."
I love eating these raw, preferably dipped in some ranch. Yes, that's the way I make myself eat my veggies!
Carrots
One veggie lover suggested: "Carrots. Love them raw, hate them cooked." And they're right-they do taste amazing raw! It's the crunchiness and natural juiciness. I love to share one with my horse! But I do also enjoy them in a stir-fry - just as long as they are not overcooked, and still have some nice crunch to them.
Tuna
Another fish lover gave a special shout-out to tuna. And if you're a bit iffy about eating raw fish, one forum user points out that you can "pan sear the outside and leave the inside raw." Get the best of both worlds all in one tasty package! It doesn't get much better than that. But as with all types of fish and seafood, there is a risk to enjoying it raw, so make sure you know it's safe before trying!
Lettuce
Lettuce is the unsung hero of sandwiches. In fact, is it even a sandwich without lettuce? So, it's no surprise that one person gave it an honorable mention. That didn't stop a cheeky commenter to reply: "Who cooks lettuce?" Well, you'd be surprised...
I actually do love adding lettuce to a grilled cheese... which makes it kinda cooked, but still delicious!
Figs
This person professed their love for this fruit: "Figs. I grew up thinking I hated figs - but that's because I only ever had fig preserves. I had a fresh fig from a fig tree yesterday and it was incredible! Almost life-changing - and the way it looks like an alien mouth with dozens of teeth when you open it only adds to the appeal."
I've always loved a good fig, but just recently learned you can actually eat them with the skin on. Did you know?
Cucumber
Another vegetable that made the list was cucumber, to one commenter's shock: "People cook CUCUMBER?" Another person smugly replied, "Let me introduce you to Chinese cuisine." Cucumbers do hit in a stir-fry, but raw with some ranch might just be even better. Yes, it's me with the ranch again!
Spinach
One food enthusiast called out spinach, but here we'll just have to agree to disagree. I love popping it in everything from tacos to pasta sauces - all in an effort to hide some veggies from myself. But maybe that doesn't count, since my whole aim is to actually not taste it?
Watermelon
Surprisingly, one person said watermelon. Although watermelons are mostly known for being eaten raw, they are also barbecued or grilled in Asian cuisine. One person learned this the hard way. After commenting on an internet forum: "Who tf cooks melons?" [sic], they received 30 notifications overnight from angry users. Oops!
Source: Reddit
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