Store-bought tartar sauce can taste overly sweet or artificial. Making your own lets you control the crunch, the tang, and the herbs. Skip the jarred stuff—making a quick, creamy homemade Classic Tartar Sauce takes just 5 minutes with a few basic pantry staples.
Tartar sauce is the ultimate companion for seafood, perfectly cutting through the richness of classic fish and chips, crab cakes, and fried shrimp – or my Grilled Garlic Shrimp. Beyond traditional seafood, it works beautifully as a tangy spread to elevate fish sandwiches, turkey burgers, and crispy chicken wraps. You can also use it as a flavorful dip for crunchy appetizers like onion rings, french fries, and fried pickles.
Substitutes and Variations:
Here are some easy ways to swap ingredients and customize your tartar sauce to fit your dietary needs or flavor preferences. Swap out all or half of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt to cut calories and add a boost of protein. Stir in a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and a few dashes of hot sauce for a smoky, spicy kick. Swap the lemon juice for lime juice, and stir in extra fresh dill, chives, and a pinch of lime zest for a bright, fresh flavor profile.
Suggestions for Sides:
Beyond traditional seafood, it works beautifully as a tangy spread to elevate fish sandwiches, turkey burgers, and crispy chicken wraps. You can also serve this with my Crab Stuffed Mushrooms as an appetizer at the next big family get together.
Tools that may make this recipe easier:
To make homemade tartar sauce, you only need a few basic kitchen tools that are likely already in your cupboards. Start with a chef’s knife and cutting board to finely mince your pickles, capers, and fresh herbs into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Next, gather your measuring cups and spoons to accurately portion out the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings. You will then need a small mixing bowl to hold everything, along with a mixing spoon, small whisk, or rubber spatula to smoothly blend the ingredients together. Finally, while entirely optional, a citrus juicer can be incredibly handy for easily squeezing your fresh lemon juice while catching any unwanted seeds.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Classic Tarter Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1 tbsp Dried Minced Onion
- 1½ tsp Lemon Juice
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients, thoroughly.
- Transfer to a pint mason jar and secure with lid. Place in refrigerator and let sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. It will keep in the jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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