Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

Home » » Homemade Tartar Sauce

Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This wonderfully creamy and tangy homemade tartar sauce is ready in 15 minutes.

It's easy to make, keeps well in the fridge, and can be paired with many seafood dishes.

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I don't typically feel that seafood dishes "need" a sauce, but I make an exception for this one because it's so flavorful.

This homemade tartar sauce is so easy to make! Since we eat a lot of seafood, I make it often - about every other week. It keeps well in the fridge for several days, another big plus.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Homemade Tartar Sauce Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Sauce Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Mayonnaise: I use avocado oil mayonnaise, usually by Chosen Foods.
  • Dijon mustard: This classic French mustard is creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard. I highly recommend using it in this recipe.
  • Lemon juice: Just a teaspoon. It's best to use fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
  • To season: Salt, pepper, dried dill, and cayenne pepper. The cayenne adds a layer of flavor. It doesn't make the sauce spicy.
  • Diced dill pickles and capers: For the best texture, you want small dice, not a rough chop.
Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

Variations

  • You can replace the mayonnaise with sour cream. It's excellent, although I prefer the richness and flavor of mayonnaise.
  • Greek yogurt also works in this recipe, though again, mayonnaise is better, and so is sour cream. You can omit the lemon if you use yogurt since it's naturally tangy.
  • For an extra kick, you can replace the capers or dill pickles with finely diced pickled jalapenos. My husband is a fan of this version.
  • You can also make it spicy with a teaspoon of hot sauce or ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Homemade Tartar Sauce Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. I like to start with the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and seasonings:

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Mix in the dill pickles and capers:

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

Cover the mixture and chill it for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Give the sauce one more stir before serving.

Expert Tip

You can use the sauce immediately, but it's even better if you let it rest for 30 minutes before serving it. This allows the flavors to meld and improves the flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What is tartar sauce?

This is a tangy and flavorful mayonnaise-based sauce, traditionally served with seafood. The classic ingredients include mayonnaise, pickles, capers, and herbs.

Can you make tartar sauce with Greek yogurt?

Yes, as long as you use whole-milk yogurt. This sauce should be rich and creamy. Low-fat yogurt will not work.

Another option is to use sour cream. I tried it and liked it a lot - it's creamy and tasty.

Should I serve tartar sauce warm or cold?

This sauce is typically served at room temperature or chilled. This is one of its advantages - you can make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until it's time to eat. Just remember to give it an extra stir before serving.

Do you prefer using dill pickles or sweet pickles in your tartar sauce?

I prefer dill pickles. I like this sauce to be tangy and spiced, not sweet. But this is purely a matter of taste, so you should try and see what you like best!

Serving Suggestions

This flavorful sauce is lovely with any seafood dish. I usually serve it with crab cakes, tuna cakes,or salmon patties.

It also pairs beautifully with boiled shrimp instead of co*cktail sauce. It's perfect with keto-fried fish.

But you don't have to limit yourself to seafood! This creamy, flavorful sauce goes well with roasted vegetables, chicken nuggets, and even skirt steak or other grilled meats.

So as you can see, you have quite a few options for using this sauce! It never lasts long in our house.

Storing Leftovers

This sauce keeps quite well, though not as long as a commercial sauce. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 7 days. Stir it again before using it.

I don't recommend freezing this sauce. It will separate and become grainy when thawed.

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (5)

More Sauce Recipes

  • Blender Hollandaise Sauce
  • Tahini Sauce
  • Homemade Pesto Sauce
  • Tzatziki Sauce

Recipe Card

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (10)

4.97 from 297 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Homemade Tartar Sauce

This wonderfully creamy and tangyhomemade tartar sauceis ready in 15 minutes.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Rest time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 193kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickles finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon capers

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, use a small rubber spatula to mix the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, dill, and (if using) cayenne.

  • Fold in the pickles and capers.

  • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Video

Notes

You can use the sauce immediately, but it's even better to let it rest for 30 minutes before serving it. This allows the flavors to meld and improves the flavor.

This sauce keeps well, though not as long as a commercial sauce. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 7 days. Stir it again before using it.

I don't recommend freezing this sauce. It will separate and become grainy after thawing.

Add Your Own Notes

Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 350mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g

Subscribe

I send out a weekly newsletter with a recipe and tips. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Follow Me

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (11) Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (12) Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (13) Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (14) Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (15) Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

More Dips & Sauces

  • Sriracha Mayo
  • Sour Cream Dip
  • Pimento Cheese
  • Cream Cheese Dip

About the Author

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (21) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is tartar sauce healthy for you? ›

Tartar sauce is usually consumed in small quantities, and for most people it is not a part of their regular diet. So it may not play a substantial role in your overall health. But there are some nutrients in the sauce, such as vitamin K, that can have an impact on your health.

How to make Gordon Ramsay's tartar sauce? ›

Gordon Ramsay Tartar Sauce
  1. Condiments.
  2. • 1 tbsp Capers.
  3. • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard.
  4. • 1 Dill pickle, small.
  5. • 1 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh.
  6. • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise.
  7. • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce.

What is a good substitute for tartar sauce? ›

Instead of tartar sauce, use a garlicky aioli with or without a little dill or chopped pickle. Another good sauce option that goes well with seafood is a tomato-based co*cktail sauce. Hummus, which is also slightly acidic with lemon juice, can also make a nice dip for seafood.

How long will homemade tartar sauce last in the refrigerator? ›

Tartar sauce should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for about a week. Obviously, if it starts to smell funky in the fridge or the flavor is off before the week is up, you should dump it. Similar to other mayonnaise-based condiments, tartar sauce does not freeze well because the emulsion can break.

Which is healthier, tartar sauce or mayonnaise? ›

Tartar sauce. The classic seafood condiment tartar sauce continues the trend that creamy sauces belong toward the bottom of the list. But, it has less than half the calories per tablespoon as ranch and one-quarter the fat content of mayonnaise.

What is the unhealthiest condiment? ›

Before you add more sauce to your plate, here's what you need to know about the six worst condiments for your health.
  • Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise can make a tasty spread, whether you're putting it on a chicken sandwich or adding it to salad dressing. ...
  • Ketchup. ...
  • BBQ sauce. ...
  • Ranch dressing. ...
  • Soy sauce. ...
  • Sour cream.
Jan 12, 2023

What is traditional tartar sauce made of? ›

Wondering what's in tartar sauce? It's typically made with mayonnaise, chopped pickles or relish, lemon juice, and herbs (like tarragon and dill). There are also a handful of optional ingredients you can add that take the tartar sauce's flavor to the next level. For example, this recipe includes yellow mustard.

What is the difference between tartar sauce and tartare sauce? ›

Tartar sauce (French: sauce tartare; spelled tartare sauce in the UK, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries) is a condiment made of mayonnaise, chopped pickles and relish, caper, and herbs such as tarragon and dill.

Is cream of tartar just tartar sauce? ›

In reality, the two have nothing to do with one another. Cream of tartar is a powdery baking ingredient that you'd find in sweets like cookies or meringues. Tartar sauce, on the other hand, is super savory, rich, and tangy. It's typically served with seafood, but trust me – this delicious condiment can do so much more.

Why does tartar sauce taste so good? ›

The inclusion of lemon juice, dill pickles, and capers ensures that tartar sauce offers an unbelievable kick of tang, above and beyond what sour cream offers. That makes the flavor of the baked potato more dynamic, which is perfect when you want to get a little something more out of a weeknight meal.

What is a substitute for 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar? ›

If you find yourself in a pinch in the kitchen, you can swap white vinegar for cream of tartar. This substitute works best when stabilizing egg whites for recipes like soufflés and meringues. Simply use an equal amount of white vinegar in place of cream of tartar when you're whipping egg whites.

Why do people use tartar sauce? ›

Tartar sauce complements the taste of fish and other seafood. It adds a rich, creamy, appearance to the fish, prawns, or other sea foods. It can also be enjoyed with chicken. Tartar sauce can also be used as a marinade for grilling fish or chicken.

What is McDonald's tartar sauce made of? ›

Tartar Sauce

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Pickle Relish (diced Pickles, Vinegar, Salt, Capers, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate [preservative], Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives, Polysorbate 80), Egg Yolks, Water, Onions, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Spice, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Parsley.

How to tell if tartar sauce is bad? ›

If sauce develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes; if mold appears, discard the entire product.

How to tell if tartar sauce has gone bad? ›

Opened bottles of tartar sauce should remain good for up to six months as long as they're kept in the refrigerator. If you suspect your tartar sauce is going bad, check the bottle for an expiration date. If it has a strange odor or appears to have lost its texture, it's probably time for a new bottle.

What is tartar sauce good for? ›

Tartar sauce is a cold dipping sauce that is usually served alongside seafood, mainly fish. It's a creamy condiment that is known for its rich and tangy flavor. Tartar sauce is a staple condiment at many seafood restaurants because it's mostly used for fried fish and fried oysters.

Is tartar sauce bad for cholesterol? ›

When it comes to the worst condiments which raises your cholesterol levels, the biggest culprits include: Ranch dressing. Mayonnaise. Tartar sauce.

Why is tartar sauce so high in calories? ›

Tartar Sauce

You knew it had to be bad since it's made with mayonnaise. A single tablespoon of creamy tartar sauce packs a whopping 75 calories. Fortunately, there are healthier ways to add flavor to fish. Marinate it with a flavorful marinade before cooking it or grill it and serve it with chutney sauce instead.

Is tartar sauce good on anything other than fish? ›

Tartar sauce is traditionally served with seafood dishes like crab cakes and fish and chips, but in our house, we eat it with veggies instead! Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy it: With crispy baked (or air fried) veggies. I'd take crispy veggies over fish sticks any day!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 6076

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.