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    Home > Blog > Condiments > How to Make Tartar Sauce

    How to Make Tartar Sauce

    by Jenny Park · Published: Apr 25, 2023

    Jump to Recipe
    Learn how to make tartar sauce with this simple recipe. Just 7 ingredients whisked together for an ultra creamy, tangy, and delicious dip fit for any fish dinner.
    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl with ingredients on the side.

    This easy homemade tartar sauce recipe is perfect for slathering on fried fish, seafood, or french fries. Dill pickles, capers, dijon mustard, and lemon juice add the perfect tang to the creamy mayonnaise base. You’ll never want to eat the stuff from a bottle again after learning how to make tartar sauce yourself!

    Origins of Tartar Sauce

    The tartar sauce we know today likely originated from France (home of hollandaise, bechamel, and red sauce), although some claim it’s been around since the Roman era. In the 1920’s, you could find this seafood-friendly sauce on grocery store shelves.

    There are several different ways to make tartar, but the basics include mayonnaise or aioli, pickles, capers, and herbs. Some variations include hard-boiled eggs or lemon juice as well. Different regions typically have their own special flair to tartar sauce, but the creamy and tangy base remains the same.

    How to Make Tartar Sauce

    You only need 7 basic pantry ingredients to make a batch of homemade tartar sauce. It doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make tartar sauce.

    Process

    1. Place all ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
    2. Whisk together until thoroughly combined.
    Tar tar sauce recipe ingredients in a bowl ready to be mixed together.
    Freshly made tartar sauce in a bowl with a whisk.

    How to Use Our Tartare Sauce Recipe

    Tartar sauce is the perfect pair for any type of seafood, fried foods, or even roasted vegetables. Bring out the tartar sauce the next time you make:

    • Fritto Misto
    • Crab Cakes
    • Shrimp Fritters
    • Air Fryer Salmon
    • Polenta Fries
    • Fried Pickle Chips
    • Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
    • Roasted Cauliflower
    • Beer Battered Onion Rings

    Ingredients Substitution Options

    Instead of lemon juice, substitute vinegar, either white or apple cider.

    Instead of chopped pickles and pickle juice, substitute with relish or even chopped onion or shallots

    Substitute chives with parsley or tarragon.

    You could also add seasonings like onion powder, dried dill, or old bay seasoning if you’d like!

    Storing Information and Shelf Life for Our Tartar Sauce Recipe

    You can serve this tartar sauce immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Letting the sauce sit in the refrigerator for at least a few hours will get the flavors melding together, which we prefer!

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    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl.

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    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl.

    How to Make Tartar Sauce

    5 from 1 vote
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    Learn how to make tartar sauce with this simple recipe. Just 7 ingredients whisked together for an ultra creamy, tangy, and delicious dip fit for any fish dinner.
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Total Time: 5 minutes mins
    Servings: 20

      INGREDIENTS  

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/3 cup dill pickles
    • 2 tablespoons chopped capers
    • 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced chive
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 grated garlic clove
    • salt and pepper to taste

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    • Place all ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
    • Whisk together until thoroughly combined.

      NOTES  

    **recipe makes 1 1/4 cups – each serving is 1 tablespoon **
    Ingredients Substitution Options
    Instead of lemon juice, substitute vinegar, either white or apple cider.
    Instead of chopped pickles and pickle juice, substitute with relish or even chopped onion or shallots
    Substitute chives with parsley or tarragon.
    You could also add seasonings like onion powder, dried dill, or old bay seasoning if you’d like!
    Storing Information and Shelf Life for Our Tartar Sauce Recipe
    You can serve this tartar sauce immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    Letting the sauce sit in the refrigerator for at least a few hours will get the flavors melding together, which we prefer!
    Calories: 77kcal Carbohydrates: 0.3g Protein: 0.2g Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0.02g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 301mg Potassium: 7mg Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 0.1g Vitamin A: 20IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 3mg Iron: 0.1mg
    CUISINE: French
    KEYWORD: dipping sauce, spread recipe, tartare sauce
    COURSE: condiment

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    April 25, 2023 / Leave a Comment

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

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    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl.
    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl.
    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl with ingredients on the side.
    Tartar sauce recipe in a bowl with ingredients on the side.
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