Quick Tartar Sauce (2024)

Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

8

Yield:

1 cup

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Tartar sauce is the perfect companion to seafood. With just four ingredients, this tartar sauce recipe comes together so quickly and easily. All you need is five minutes and you'll have a creamy and flavorful dipping sauce ready for any fish, oyster, or crab cake dish, or even veggies and pita bread. You might never need to buy another bottle of tartar sauce again.

What is Tartar Sauce?

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. But it can also be used as a dipping sauce for sandwiches and roasted veggies or as a salad dressing.

Tartar Sauce Ingredients

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. Other ingredients may include capers, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, olives, or onion.

How to Make Tartar Sauce

Making homemade tartar sauce is quite simple. All you have to do is mix all your ingredients together in a bowl — then your sauce is ready to go. For best results, refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving.

The relish (or pickles, if that's what you're using) will make the sauce a little chunky, so you can puree your sauce in a food processor or blender for a smoother consistency.

What Is the Origin of Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce's roots are difficult to track. It's believed that tartar sauce originated in France after the 18th century because France first invented mayonnaise, which is a main ingredient in tartar sauce.

The name might just be an even bigger mystery. Many people think tartar sauce was named after the Tatars, who also may have lent their name to steak tartare. It's thought that the French based the sauce's name off their spelling of Tatar, which is tartare. That's why it's called sauce tartare in France, tartare sauce in the U.K. and other parts of the Commonwealth, and tartar sauce in the U.S.

How Long Does Tartar Sauce Last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade tartar sauce should stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This was super easy! We ran out of store-bought stuff, so I made this quick. I didn't have relish, so I threw a couple forkfuls of hamburger pickles into the Ninja, added the mayo, mustard, and lemon juice to the chopped pickles, and it was perfect. I might never buy store-bought again," says Tracy Robinson.

"This was, without a doubt, the easiest and most tasty tartar sauce I've had- period. The base flavor is great because it isn't just a bland mayo with sweet pickles, it actually has mustard to spice it up. I can't say enough good about it except to mention that it keeps amazingly well too," raves Mina Y.

"It is definitely quick, and very tasty. I always have these ingredients on hand, so I will use this recipe again and again! If you prefer your tartar sauce with a dill flavor, just use dill relish instead of sweet," according to Pam Ziegler Lutz.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish

  • 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Quick Tartar Sauce (1)

  2. Add mayonnaise, relish, mustard, and lemon juice together in a bowl.

    Quick Tartar Sauce (2)

  3. Stir until thoroughly combined.

    Quick Tartar Sauce (3)

  4. Serve immediately or refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve.

    Quick Tartar Sauce (4)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

200Calories
22g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe8
Calories200
% Daily Value *
Total Fat22g28%
Saturated Fat3g17%
Cholesterol10mg3%
Sodium174mg8%
Total Carbohydrate1g1%
Total Sugars1g
Protein0g1%
Vitamin C0mg0%
Calcium2mg0%
Iron0mg1%
Potassium5mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Quick Tartar Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What's 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.

What is tartar sauce made of? ›

Tartar sauce is made with three main ingredients: mayonnaise, shallots and capers. Tartar sauce can also include the following additions: Pickles: finely chopped pickles, cornichons or sweet pickle relish. Mustard: Dijon or whole grain.

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.

What is a substitute for tartar? ›

A good replacement for cream of tartar in baking is 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice for every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.

What sauce goes well with fish sticks? ›

But if you aren't a tartar sauce fan, you can serve the fish sticks with ketchup, BBQ sauce, a little drizzle of malted vinegar, or even tzatziki sauce. If you want to serve a few dishes on the side, here are a few suggestions: French fries or Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges.

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.

Is tartar sauce healthier than mayo? ›

No.

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.

Why does tartar sauce taste so good? ›

It typically has a creamy and tangy profile with ingredients like mayonnaise, pickles, capers, onions, and lemon juice. These elements add a combination of creaminess, acidity, and a hint of sweetness that complements the mild and delicate flavor of fish.

What is Kraft tartar sauce made of? ›

WATER, VINEGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, CHOPPED PICKLES (CUCUMBERS, DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR, SALT), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF DRIED ONION, SUGAR, SALT, EGGS, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, MUSTARD FLOUR, XANTHAN GUM, SPICE, POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (AS ...

What are the ingredients in Heinz tartar sauce? ›

WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, VINEGAR, SUGAR, CUCUMBERS, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, LIQUID YOLK (EGG), SALT, DRIED ONION, MUSTARD FLOUR, SPICES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR, XANTHAN GUM, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, DRIED GARLIC, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL.

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.

Is tartar sauce an American thing? ›

Tartar sauce is named for steak tartare, with which it was commonly served in 19th century France. Recipes for tartar sauce have been found in English-language cookbooks dating to the mid-19th century, including a recipe in Modern Cookery for Private Families in 1860.

What to eat with fish instead of tartar sauce? ›

Aioli or remoulade sauce, whose robust flavors work especially well to complement the fish (as well as other elements of a sandwich, such as cheese or a crunchy-yet-creamy slaw) make equally great switches to replace tartar sauce.

Is tartar sauce the same as mayo? ›

Tartar sauce is based on either mayonnaise or aioli, with certain other ingredients added. In the UK, recipes typically add to the base capers, gherkins, lemon juice, and dill.

Can I use baking soda instead of tartar? ›

No. Although they are similar in appearance, cream of tartar and baking soda are completely different ingredients. Baking soda, which also goes by the name sodium bicarbonate, is a leavening agent that reacts with acids in a recipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6471

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.