Tartar sauce recipe that's worth making at home. Skip the store-bought version and mix up a simple sauce with clean, fresh flavor. It pairs well with fish sticks, fried shrimp, and just about any seafood.
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Packed with pickles and capers, this flavored mayo is a homemade magic touch for any fried seafood feast.
What is Tartar Sauce?
Tartar sauce is a chilled and creamy condiment. It's traditionally paired with seafood like fried fish fillets, shrimp, and oysters.
Tartar sauce is commonly used as a condiment for cooked fish. It is made with mayonnaise, chopped pickles or pickle relish, onions, lemon juice, tarragon, salt, and pepper.
Its tangy flavor and creamy texture make it a popular condiment for seafood dishes such as fried fish, shrimp, and crab cakes.
What You Need
For every ½ cup of mayonnaise, use 4 tablespoons of chopped pickles. I used Maille cornichons, which are imported from France. You can use pickle relish or chop up some dill pickles. I like to use a food processor to chop them up quickly.
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons (2 oz.) chopped cornichons, dill, or gherkin pickles
- ¼ cup minced onion (white or yellow onion)
- 2 teaspoons minced capers
- Juice of one half of a lemon, or 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or tarragon or ½ teaspoon dried herbs
- Freshly ground black pepper
Variations
- Add chopped shallots in place of the onions.
- Herbs: fresh dill can be added or used in place of tarragon
- Use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Add a little white sugar if you mix it up and feel like it's missing something.
How To Make Tartar Sauce from Scratch
- Whisk mayonnaise, pickles, onions, capers, lemon juice, and dill in a small bowl until combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Other Uses For Tartar Sauce
Although tartar sauce is great to serve with seafood, its tangy taste lends itself well to a range of dishes beyond baked or fried fish.
Here are some additional ways to incorporate tartar sauce:
- Burgers and Sandwiches: Spread the creamy white sauce on burgers or fish sandwiches for a tangy kick. Fried Shrimp Po' Boys go great with tartar sauce.
- Dipping Sauce: Use as a dip for chicken tenders and sliced veggies.
- Potatoes: Use it to top roasted potatoes.
- Roasted Vegetables: Dip Roasted Veggies in tartar sauce.
- Tacos: Add a dollop to Fish Tacos or Shrimp Tacos.
How to Store Tartar Sauce
Store tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.
What to Serve with Tartar Sauce
Serve tartar sauce with fried fish, fish sticks, or shrimp. For a change, pair your seafood with spicy mayo sauce for a creamy, slightly spicy dip.
Ditch the jarred stuff and make homemade tartar sauce. This classic flavored mayo is packed with pickles and capers and pairs well with fish and seafood.
Serve it with fried fish, grilled salmon, or crab cakes. For something different, try spicy mayo sauce for a creamy option with a little heat.
It comes together with just a few simple ingredients and adds a fresh finish to any seafood meal.
FAQ
No, traditional tartar sauce typically doesn't contain dairy. It's made using mayonnaise, chopped pickles, onions, lemon juice, and seasonings.
You can make tartar sauce with no mayo. Alternative ingredients include avocado mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sour cream, mashed avocado, or plain yogurt.
Burgers and Sandwiches: Spread tartar sauce on burgers or sandwiches for a tangy kick.
Dipping Sauce: Use as a dip for fried foods like onion rings or chicken tenders.
Salads: Use as a dressing for seafood or chicken salads.
Potatoes: Top baked potatoes or potato wedges with tartar sauce.
Vegetables: Dip roasted or grilled veggies in tartar sauce.
Tacos: Add a dollop of tartar sauce to fish tacos.
Traditional tartar sauce does not contain gluten. However, check the label for a Gluten Free disclaimer if purchasing a jarred product.
Tartar Sauce For Shrimp and Fish Sticks
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons chopped cornichons, dill or gherkin pickles, or pickle relish
- ¼ cup grated onion, white or yellow onion grated on box grater
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced capers
- Juice of ½ lemon juice or 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or tarragon or ½ teaspoon dried dill or tarragon
Instructions
- Chop ingredients by hand or place in a food processor and pulse several times until combined.
- Chill before serving.
