The Best Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe: Easy, Classic, and Yummy

What is Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce is a creamy and tangy sauce that has been traditionally served with seafood dishes. The original sauce is made of pickles, spices, and mayonnaise, and it provides a great balance of flavor. The best tartar sauce recipe enhances the taste of fried shrimp, fish, or even grilled food. Even though you may be able to find pre-made ones in the market, making a homemade tartar sauce recipe is simple, and you can select the ingredients for a fresh and improved taste.

Recipe Summary

• Type of Cuisine: French-American
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: None
• Servings: 4

How to Prepare Tartar Sauce Recipe (Simple Steps)

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Stir well to have all ingredients thoroughly mixed.
3. Season and taste to taste.
4. Allow the sauce to rest for 10-15 minutes so that the flavors will combine.
5. Serve cold with seafood or fried foods.

History of Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce originated in French cuisine, where it was first served with steak tartare, raw finely chopped beef. The sauce later became widely used with seafood, particularly in American and British cuisine. Its name is most likely derived from the Tartars, a Central Asian nomadic people, but no one knows for sure the association. Modern traditional recipes for tartar sauce differ by culture, but ingredients are identical—mayonnaise, pickles, and spices.

Variations of Tartar Sauce

Classic Tartar Sauce

The traditional tartar sauce recipe uses mayonnaise, pickles, lemon juice, and spices. It is simple to prepare but tasty and serves well with most dishes.

Spicy Tartar Sauce

For an added kick of heat, chopped jalapeños or a few dashes or two of hot sauce may be added for flavor. Cayenne pepper or smoked paprika may also add a depth of heat.

Sweet Tartar Sauce

Others like it slightly sweeter. A drizzle of honey or sweet pickle relish will balance it out, tangy-sweet.

Vegan Tartar Sauce

To prepare a vegan version, replace the mayonnaise with cashew blended or vegan mayo. The rest of the ingredients are the same, so it is an ideal replacement for vegan or dairy-free diets.

Best Time to Have Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is best enjoyed any time of the year, but especially during summer season when seafood fare is normally eaten during barbecues and outdoor parties. Tartar sauce is good when paired with crunchy fried fish, fish tacos, and shrimp barbecued to perfection, so it’s the best summer meal. This best recipe for tartar sauce is still equal tasty even during the cold winter season as long as it’s serve with substantial fried fish and chips.

Why You Should Prepare Your Own Homemade Tartar Sauce

It is extremely simple to prepare a homemade tartar sauce recipe and, in the process, you can decide on ingredients according to the taste that you like. In contrast to the market offerings that contain preservatives and chemical composition, homemade tartar sauce is healthier, fresher, and tastier. Whether you want traditional tartar sauce recipe or a plain tartar sauce recipe to have it in no time with the meal, by following this tutorial, you will get the best output always.

Final Thoughts

This incredible tartar sauce recipe is a must-try for every seafood lover. With easy ingredients and little effort, you can make a creamy, tangy, and tasty sauce that will make any meal better. Whether you require an easy recipe for fried fish tartar sauce or an authentic tartar sauce recipe for a special dinner, this article is your answer. Make it today and enjoy homemade goodness!

Variations of Tartar Sauce

Classic Tartar Sauce

The traditional tartar sauce recipe uses mayonnaise, pickles, lemon juice, and spices. It is simple to prepare but tasty and serves well with most dishes.

Spicy Tartar Sauce

For an added kick of heat, chopped jalapeños or a few dashes or two of hot sauce may be added for flavor. Cayenne pepper or smoked paprika may also add a depth of heat.

Sweet Tartar Sauce

Others like it slightly sweeter. A drizzle of honey or sweet pickle relish will balance it out, tangy-sweet.

Vegan Tartar Sauce

To prepare a vegan version, replace the mayonnaise with cashew blended or vegan mayo. The rest of the ingredients are the same, so it is an ideal replacement for vegan or dairy-free diets.

Print Recipe

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Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

Author: Priyanshu Suryavanshi

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Total Time 10 mins

Servings: 4

Best Season: Summer, Winter

Description

Tartar sauce is a creamy and tangy sauce that has been traditionally served with seafood dishes. The original sauce is made of pickles, spices, and mayonnaise, and it provides a great balance of flavor. The best tartar sauce recipe enhances the taste of fried shrimp, fish, or even grilled food.

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped dill pickles (or sweet pickles based on preference)
• 1 tablespoon capers (optional for added tanginess)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill (or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill)
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon onion powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon black pepper
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon sugar (optional for balancing flavors)

Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients

   Chop the capers and dill pickles very finely. Fresh dill should be used for a real flavor, but dried dill is acceptable if fresh dill is not available.

   

2. Merge the Base

   Combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard in a bowl. Blend them together smoothly until they become smooth.

   

3. Add the Flavor Boosters

   Add the chopped pickles, capers, white vinegar, and spices (onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and sugar if you are using it). Stir well and make sure that it is well mixed.

   

4. Taste and Season

   Experiment with it and add as much seasoning as you desire. Squeeze in a little lemon juice for added tartness or a little sugar to balance out the taste.

   

5. Let it Rest

   Let the tartar sauce sit 10-15 minutes before you serve it. This will make the flavors work well together and the sauce to be all the more appealing.

   

6. Serve and Enjoy!

   Drain and transfer the tartar sauce to a serving bowl and refrigerate until time to serve. Serve over crab cakes, fish fillets, shrimp, or as a fry and vegetable dip.

   

Note

Best Foods to Serve with Tartar Sauce

• Fish and Chips – The ultimate duo! Tartar sauce adds a rich, tangy foil to crunchy fried fish and fries.
• Crab Cakes – The rich texture of the crab cakes is complemented nicely by the crisp tartness of the sauce.
• Fried Shrimp – Fried shrimp served with tartar sauce is a treat for a seafood enthusiast.
• Grilled Salmon – A serving of tartar sauce adds zing to grilled salmon's smoky flavor.
• Vegetable Fritters – A fine vegetable choice, tartar sauce pairs nicely with corn or zucchini fritters.
• Sandwiches and Wraps – Add some tartar sauce to a sandwich to spice it up.

Tips for the Best Tartar Sauce Recipe

• Prepare using fresh ingredients: Fresh dill and lemon juice add to the overall taste.
• Let it rest: Letting the sauce rest for a minimum of 10 minutes allows the flavors to balance better.
• Experiment with various flavors: Spice it up with a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to add a deeper depth of umami flavor.
• Healthify it: Replace regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
• Storage hint: Store homemade tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one week.

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