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My Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe is 100% made from scratch. The final results are a creamy condiment that's tangy and loaded with flavor!
If you need some recipes that'll tastes amazing with this tartar sauce, try these out: Southern Fried Fish, Beer Battered Fish Tacos, Crawfish Fritters, Hush Puppies, Cedar Plank Fish, or Old Fashion Salmon Patties.
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Growing up in New Orleans, tartar sauce and hot sauce were served with fried fish every time. It didn't matter if we were out eating or at home having a fish fry. I'm going to teach you how to make mayonnaise from scratch then we'll add some seasonings and chopped pickles to make it a tartar sauce.
If you've been looking for a good tartar sauce recipe that you can make to replace your store-bought tartar sauce, you've found the perfect recipe.
What is homemade tartar sauce made of?
Homemade tartar sauce is typically made from a blend of mayonnaise, finely chopped pickles or cornichons or chopped capers, minced onion, lemon juice, and various seasonings such as salt, pepper, and dried dill. Some recipes may also call for additional ingredients such as chopped parsley, horseradish, or hot sauce.
How was tartar sauce invented?
The origins of tartar sauce are unclear, but it is believed to be called tartar sauce because of the Mongolian invaders known to the French as the Tatar (or Tartars).
They believed exotic foods came from there, like gherkins. French Chef Escoffier has been credited for mixing them with mayonnaise and sharp mustard to make the tartar sauce we have all grown to love. It later became popular to serve with seafood dishes, particularly with fried fish and breaded fish. Since then, it has become a beloved condiment around the world.
Tartar Sauce Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need for easy homemade tartar sauce.
Egg Yolk
One large egg yolk can hold up to three times its weight. For example, 1 large egg yolk can hold up to 3 cups of oil when making mayonnaise.
Dijon mustard
This is the classic mustard used in mayonnaise.
Seasonings
You'll need kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. Lemon pepper would be a great twist for this tasty sauce.
Lemon Juice
Usually, I'll recommend only using fresh lemon juice, but if you have some in a bottle in your fridge, use it.
Water
A little water will help give the sauce the right consistency.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is pricey, but I love using healthier fats in my tartar sauce.
Chopped Dill Pickle
I like to chop up pickles to make sure they're the right size for me. You can add them unchopped to the food processor if you don't care about having different size pieces.
Chopped Italian parsley
Italian parsley flavor is superior to curly leaf. You can use fresh dill weed too.
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make the perfect waffles.
How to Make Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe
Making tartar sauce is easy! All you need is a food blender or food processor.
In a food processor, add the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, lemon juice, and water, and blitz on high for 10 seconds.
While the machine runs high, slowly pour in oil until the mayonnaise is smooth and thick. Add the chopped dill pickles and parley. Pulse 3 times until all ingredients are combined. Use immediately or place in an airtight container in the fridge until needed.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are a few notes I had from making this awesome tartar sauce.
- You can use a food blender to make your tartar sauce.
- Your tartar sauce will taste different depending on the type of oil you use.
- Extra virgin olive oil has a strong flavor for most people and will make your sauce a golden hue. I like it on fried seafood but not on grilled or baked seafood.
- Add 1 teaspoon of worcestershire sauce for more flavor.
- Feel free to use capers or cornichons instead of chopped pickles.
- You can add 2 tablespoons of grated onion to the tartar sauce if you love that flavor.
- You can use sweet pickle relish instead of pickles if you like a sweeter tartar sauce.
- You can also use sweet pickles or butter pickles to make your tartar to your liking.
- Use the dill pickle juice instead of lemon juice.
- You can use 2 cups of mayonnaise instead of making your mayo from scratch. If you do, omit everything except the seasonings, lemon juice, pickles, and parsley.
- You can use yellow mustard, spicy brown, or Creole mustard instead of Dijon to make different flavors.
- If you don't like cayenne, you can omit it. If you want heat, double the amount of cayenne or add 1 tablespoon of hot or Tabasco sauce to the tartar sauce.
- Swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- You can use fresh dill chopped or dried dill weed as a substitute for the parsley.
FAQs
Here are the top questions readers have about making homemade tartar sauce.
You can easily make homemade tartar sauce using common ingredients found in your kitchen. Combine mayonnaise, finely chopped pickles or cornichons, capers, lemon juice, and your desired seasonings. Allow the flavors to marry in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Homemade tartar sauce can last for a month if stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's important to discard any leftover tartar sauce if it develops an off odor or taste or if you're unsure of its freshness.
If you don't have tartar sauce, make a quick one by combining mayonnaise, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, and sweet pickle relish. Combine mayonnaise, a splash of white vinegar, and garlic powder for a great dipping sauce.
Mix equal amounts of sour cream and mayonnaise with some pickle juice and chopped dill pickles or dill relish for a quick sauce.
I don't recommend freezing homemade tartar sauce, as it will separate and loses its texture after being thawed. It's best to make only the amount you need and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To thicken homemade tartar sauce, add more mayonnaise until the desired consistency is reached. You don't need to add a thickening agent like flour or cornstarch.
The options are unlimited for what you can serve tartar sauce with, but here are the most common: fried fish, fish sticks, salmon cakes, crab cakes, and fish sandwiches. Some people serve it as a salad dressing or on top of potato salad.
Tartar sauce will be good for 2 months in an airtight container in the fridge but is best eaten within 7 days of making it.
More Sauce Recipes
If you want more sauce ideas, you should check out these recipes!
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized before I start anything.
Step 1: Get all ingredients for the tartar sauce on the counter.
Step 2: Measure everything out.
Step 3: Start following the recipe and get ready for the best tartar sauce ever to top your fish!
This quick and easy tartar sauce recipe takes only 5 minutes, resulting in a delicious and tangy sauce that will impress everyone. You won't have to buy tartar sauce ever again.
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📖 Recipe
5-minute Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 ½ cup oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickles
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender add the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and water, blitz on high for 10 seconds. Keep the machine running, and slowly pour in oil, until mayonnaise is smooth and thick. Add the pickles and parley. Pulse 3 times until all ingredients are combined. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Notes
- You can use a food blender to make your tartar sauce.
- Your tartar sauce will taste different depending on the type of oil you use.
- Extra virgin olive oil has a strong flavor for most people and will make your sauce a golden hue. I like it on fried seafood but not on grilled or baked seafood.
- Add 1 teaspoon of worcestershire sauce for more flavor.
- Feel free to use capers or cornichons instead of chopped pickles.
- You can add 2 tablespoons of grated onion to the tartar sauce if you love that flavor.
- You can use sweet pickle relish instead of pickles if you like a sweeter tartar sauce.
- You can also use sweet pickles or butter pickles to make your tartar to your liking.
- Use the dill pickle juice instead of lemon juice.
- You can use 2 cups of mayonnaise instead of making your mayo from scratch. If you do, omit everything except the seasonings, lemon juice, pickles, and parsley.
- You can use yellow mustard, spicy brown, or Creole mustard instead of Dijon to make different flavors.
- If you don't like cayenne, you can omit it. If you want heat, double the amount of cayenne or add 1 tablespoon of hot or Tabasco sauce to the tartar sauce.
- Swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- You can use fresh dill chopped or dried dill weed as a substitute for the parsley.
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