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    Home » Recipes » Dips and Sauces

    Tartar Sauce

    Published: Jun 10, 2019 · Modified: Jun 25, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    This tartar sauce is so quick, easy and flavourful that you'll never buy it from the store again! It takes just a few minutes for this homemade recipe and the fresh ingredients make a HUGE difference to the taste.

    A jar of homemade tartar sauce in front of a plate of fish n chips.

    I know that it's so easy to just buy sauces that it can seem crazy to make them yourself.

    But when you do, whooooie, they are SO MUCH NICER!

    And this tartare sauce is so quick and simple that it takes just a couple of minutes to mix it together and is worth every second. 

    When I first started making homemade ketchup, I wondered if I could possibly make it better than the usual brand.

    YES!

    The fresh taste is out-of-this-world better.

    The same for this tartar sauce.

    It's creamy, tangy and perfect with more than just fish.

    Jump to:
    • What is Tartar Sauce?
    • Why is this the BEST tartare sauce recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to use Tartar Sauce
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Step by step tutorial
    • More condiment recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is Tartar Sauce?

    Tartar sauce (or tartare sauce) originated in France as a mayo/aioli based dip flavoured with capers.

    It's simple, quick and bursting with deliciousness.

    Nowadays it's a popular condiment made not just with capers, but gherkins (pickles) and chopped parsley.

    It's fresh tasting, bold, tangy and creamy.

    A delight that takes no time at all to prepare. 

    A bowl of tartare sauce on a grey napkin.

    Why is this the BEST tartare sauce recipe

    • It's quick - you only need 5 mins!
    • The taste is so rich, deep and fresh.
    • The fresh flavour makes it much better than store-bought.
    • You can adjust the seasonings/ingredients to your liking.
    • My secret ingredient (shhh.... pickle juice/brine!) gives it a lovely deep flavor.
    • Make it vegan: just use dairy free vegan mayonnaise.
    • Naturally gluten free.
    • It keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    Tartare sauce ingredients on a wooden table.

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious and fresh homemade sauce.

    • Mayonnaise (or dairy free vegan mayo)
    • Capers
    • Pickles (gherkins) (I used tiny French cornichons, but any type work well. Just use your favourite: kosher dill pickles, gherkins, bread and butter pickles etc...)
    • Fresh parsley
    • Mustard powder
    A jar of homemade tartare sauce on a table with plates of vegetarian fish and chips .

    How to use Tartar Sauce

    You might be wondering why tartar sauce is on a veggie blog, since it usually goes with fish n chips?

    Well, I love tofish (battered tofu) and there are plenty of store bought vegetarian and vegan fish n chips alternatives (a shop bought one is in my picture).

    My local chippy also does a great battered tofu for veggies too!

    There's also battered halloumi for a great vegetarian alternative.

    Try it in this vegan lobster roll.

    Put a dollop on vegan smoked salmon.

    Use it along with Old Bay Seasoning to add a 'fishy' taste to vegan and vegetarian dishes.

    Serving Suggestions

    Dolloped on Courgette Fritters
    A dip for fries, chips or spiralized sweet potato fries
    Pea burgers
    Bean burgers
    Lentil carrot hot dogs
    Turmeric roasted cauliflower

    A spoonful of homemade tartare sauce coming out of a jar, next to a plate of fish and chips.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Swap the parsley for fresh chopped dill for a slightly different flavor.
    • Instead of pickle juice, use lemon or lime juice.
    • Lighten this sauce by using half mayo and half plain Greek yogurt (or their vegan alternatives).
    • No capers? Just use a little extra pickle/gherkin.
    • Use any type of pickles: little cornichons (the tiny cocktail pickles), Kosher dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, sliced pickles - any work well!

    Step by step tutorial

    Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

    Collage of making tartar sauce.

    To make this homemade tartare sauce recipe, simply chop up the pickles (I used cornichons, but any pickles/gherkins work), capers and parsley finely.

    Add them to the mayo in a bowl (vegan mayo works too!) with powdered mustard and the pickle juice.

    Stir and refrigerate until ready to use!

    Scroll down for the full recipe and ingredients for tartar sauce.

    More condiment recipes

    I hope you love this homemade tartar sauce. Try these other condiment recipes too!

    • Copycat Zax Sauce
    • Sriracha Aioli
    • Easy Mushroom Stock / Broth
    • Quick Homemade Tomato Ketchup

    Try these other condiments too!
    Xnipec - Habanero Salsa
    Old Bay Seasoning
    Carrot Hummus
    Pea Puree
    Rhubarb Sauce
    Vegan Chicken Seasoning
    Cane's Sauce Recipe

    Collage of quick vegan dinner recipes.

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    Veggie Desserts Cookbook by Kate Hackworthy

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    📖 Recipe

    A spoonful of homemade tartare sauce coming out of a jar, next to a plate of fish and chips.

    Tartare Sauce

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    This tartare sauce is so quick, easy and flavourful that you'll never buy it from the store again! It takes just a few minutes to make.
    5 from 8 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dips and Spreads
    Cuisine American, British, French
    Servings 15
    Calories 102 kcal

    Equipment

    • Bowl

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup (250g) mayonnaise (or dairy free vegan mayonnaise)
    • 2 tablespoon capers rinsed and chopped
    • 2 tablespoon finely chopped pickles / gherkins / cornichons all work well
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon pickling juice from the capers or pickles gherkins
    • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder optional
    • Sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • To make this tartare sauce, simply mix all ingredients together well. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks
    • Swap the parsley for fresh chopped dill for a slightly different flavor.
    • Instead of pickle juice, use lemon or lime juice.
    • Lighten this sauce by using half mayo and half plain Greek yogurt (or their vegan alternatives).
    • No capers? Just use a little extra pickle/gherkin.
    • Use any type of pickles: little cornichons (the tiny cocktail pickles), Kosher dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, sliced pickles - any work well!
    How to enjoy this Tartare Sauce:
    • Try it on Fish n Chips
    • Vegetarian or vegan Tofu Fish n Chips
    • Dolloped on Courgette Fritters
    • A dip for fries, chips or spiralized sweet potato fries
    • Pea burgers
    • Bean burgers
    • Lentil carrot hot dogs
    • Turmeric roasted cauliflower

    Nutrition

    Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 144mgPotassium: 3mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

    More Dip and Sauce Recipes

    • Frozen Berry Compote
    • Grape Compote
    • Mango Puree
    • Gyoza Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sherika

      August 08, 2019 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks this was so easy and tasty!

      Reply
    2. Heidy L. McCallum

      June 13, 2019 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for our fish and it was so wonderful and flavorful. I will never go back to the stuff in a jar again!

      Reply
    3. Julie E

      June 12, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      I made fish the other night and didn't have any tartar sauce and happened to have all the ingredients for this on hand. I will never go back to store bought!!!

      Reply
    4. Sara Welch

      June 10, 2019 at 5:53 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds like an awesome sauce! Love the use of pickles; I will definitely be making this to have on hand!

      Reply
    5. SHANIKA

      June 10, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      5 stars
      You could never go wrong with a good sauce and this recipe looks so easy and delish!

      Reply
    6. Dannii

      June 10, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      We always make our own. It’s so expensive to buy, but really easy to make.

      Reply
    7. Natalie

      June 10, 2019 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love tartare sauce! It's such a great dip for parties and brunch too! Looks delicious!

      Reply
    8. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      June 10, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love homemade tartare sauce! It looks so creamy and delicious!

      Reply

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    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

    • Easter Rice Krispie Nests
    • Italian Easter Bread (Pane di Pasqua)
    • Mushroom Wellington
    • Nut Roast

    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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