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Home » Recipes » Dips and Sauces

Tartar Sauce

Published: Jun 10, 2019 · Modified: Jun 25, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · 8 Comments

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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!

  • Spoon coming out of a bowl of sauce.
    Copycat Zax Sauce
  • Close up of a bowl of sriracha aioli - a creamy tasty dip recipe.
    Sriracha Aioli
  • Jar of mushroom stock on a table.
    Easy Mushroom Stock / Broth
  • A spoonful of thick tasty homemade tomato ketchup with a bottle of it in the background.
    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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📖 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 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes 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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 8 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  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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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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