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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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!
Try these other condiments too!
Xnipec - Habanero Salsa
Old Bay Seasoning
Carrot Hummus
Pea Puree
Rhubarb Sauce
Vegan Chicken Seasoning
Cane's Sauce Recipe
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📖 Recipe
Tartare Sauce
Equipment
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
- 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!
- 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
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.
Sherika
Thanks this was so easy and tasty!
Heidy L. McCallum
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!
Julie E
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!!!
Sara Welch
This sounds like an awesome sauce! Love the use of pickles; I will definitely be making this to have on hand!
SHANIKA
You could never go wrong with a good sauce and this recipe looks so easy and delish!
Dannii
We always make our own. It’s so expensive to buy, but really easy to make.
Natalie
I love tartare sauce! It's such a great dip for parties and brunch too! Looks delicious!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I love homemade tartare sauce! It looks so creamy and delicious!