Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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This wonderfully creamy and tangy homemade tartar sauce is ready in 15 minutes.

It's easy to make, keeps well in the fridge, and can be paired with many seafood dishes.

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I don't typically feel that seafood dishes "need" a sauce, but I make an exception for this one because it's so flavorful.

This homemade tartar sauce is so easy to make! Since we eat a lot of seafood, I make it often - about every other week. It keeps well in the fridge for several days, another big plus.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Homemade Tartar Sauce Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Sauce Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Mayonnaise: I use avocado oil mayonnaise, usually by Chosen Foods.
  • Dijon mustard: This classic French mustard is creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard. I highly recommend using it in this recipe.
  • Lemon juice: Just a teaspoon. It's best to use fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
  • To season: Salt, pepper, dried dill, and cayenne pepper. The cayenne adds a layer of flavor. It doesn't make the sauce spicy.
  • Diced dill pickles and capers: For the best texture, you want small dice, not a rough chop.
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Variations

  • You can replace the mayonnaise with sour cream. It's excellent, although I prefer the richness and flavor of mayonnaise.
  • Greek yogurt also works in this recipe, though again, mayonnaise is better, and so is sour cream. You can omit the lemon if you use yogurt since it's naturally tangy.
  • For an extra kick, you can replace the capers or dill pickles with finely diced pickled jalapenos. My husband is a fan of this version.
  • You can also make it spicy with a teaspoon of hot sauce or ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Homemade Tartar Sauce Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. I like to start with the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and seasonings:

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Mix in the dill pickles and capers:

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Cover the mixture and chill it for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Give the sauce one more stir before serving.

Expert Tip

You can use the sauce immediately, but it's even better if you let it rest for 30 minutes before serving it. This allows the flavors to meld and improves the flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What is tartar sauce?

This is a tangy and flavorful mayonnaise-based sauce, traditionally served with seafood. The classic ingredients include mayonnaise, pickles, capers, and herbs.

Can you make tartar sauce with Greek yogurt?

Yes, as long as you use whole-milk yogurt. This sauce should be rich and creamy. Low-fat yogurt will not work.

Another option is to use sour cream. I tried it and liked it a lot - it's creamy and tasty.

Should I serve tartar sauce warm or cold?

This sauce is typically served at room temperature or chilled. This is one of its advantages - you can make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until it's time to eat. Just remember to give it an extra stir before serving.

Do you prefer using dill pickles or sweet pickles in your tartar sauce?

I prefer dill pickles. I like this sauce to be tangy and spiced, not sweet. But this is purely a matter of taste, so you should try and see what you like best!

Serving Suggestions

This flavorful sauce is lovely with any seafood dish. I usually serve it with crab cakes, tuna cakes,or salmon patties.

It also pairs beautifully with boiled shrimp instead of co*cktail sauce. It's perfect with keto-fried fish.

But you don't have to limit yourself to seafood! This creamy, flavorful sauce goes well with roasted vegetables, chicken nuggets, and even skirt steak or other grilled meats.

So as you can see, you have quite a few options for using this sauce! It never lasts long in our house.

Storing Leftovers

This sauce keeps quite well, though not as long as a commercial sauce. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 7 days. Stir it again before using it.

I don't recommend freezing this sauce. It will separate and become grainy when thawed.

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Recipe Card

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4.97 from 296 votes

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Homemade Tartar Sauce

This wonderfully creamy and tangyhomemade tartar sauceis ready in 15 minutes.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Rest time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 193kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickles finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon capers

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, use a small rubber spatula to mix the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, dill, and (if using) cayenne.

  • Fold in the pickles and capers.

  • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Video

Notes

You can use the sauce immediately, but it's even better to let it rest for 30 minutes before serving it. This allows the flavors to meld and improves the flavor.

This sauce keeps well, though not as long as a commercial sauce. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 7 days. Stir it again before using it.

I don't recommend freezing this sauce. It will separate and become grainy after thawing.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 350mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (21) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Homemade Tartar Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is tartar sauce? ›

A two-tablespoon serving of tartar sauce is likely to contain about 59 calories and roughly 3.7 grams of carbohydrates. There is just a small amount of fiber (0.1 grams) in tartar sauce, and there are about 1.2 grams of sugar. The typical serving size of tartar sauce can vary.

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his tartar sauce? ›

Gordon Ramsay Tartar Sauce
  1. Condiments.
  2. • 1 tbsp Capers.
  3. • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard.
  4. • 1 Dill pickle, small.
  5. • 1 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh.
  6. • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise.
  7. • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce.

What do you eat tartar sauce with? ›

Tartar sauce is traditionally served with seafood dishes like crab cakes and fish and chips, but in our house, we eat it with veggies instead! Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy it: With crispy baked (or air fried) veggies.

Can I freeze homemade tartar sauce? ›

NO. I really wouldn't recommend you freeze this homemade tartar sauce recipe. Anything that is mayo or sour cream based isn't going to fare well in the freezer, so just put it in a snug, lidded container in the fridge and you can use it happily for up to two weeks.

Is tartar sauce healthier than mayo? ›

It causes internal inflammation and harms your omega-6 to omega-3 balance with excess omega-6 fats. Tartar sauce has the same issues as mayo. If you can find a mayo made with 100% olive oil instead of soybean oil, this would actually be a healthy choice.

Can you eat tartar sauce on a diet? ›

With its high net carb content, tartar sauce can consume a significant part of your daily carb allowance, making it challenging to maintain ketosis. Despite this, it's not all gloom and doom. While tartar sauce itself might not be the best fit for a keto diet, it's important to remember that it's just one food item.

What is traditional tartar sauce made of? ›

Tartar Sauce Ingredients

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.

What is the difference between tartar sauce and tartare sauce? ›

Tartar sauce is the usual US spelling, tartare sauce is the usual UK/Commonwealth spelling, and sauce tartare is the French spelling for a sauce made of mayonnaise with capers, pickles, herbs, etc. and often served with fried fish. It is very similar to sauce rémoulade.

Why does tartar sauce taste so good? ›

Adding tarragon, dill, and a little lemon juice to traditional mayo adds a host of flavors that perfectly complement fried fish. With all these different options, you may be left wondering, when does tartar sauce stop being tartar sauce and turn into something else?

What can you use tartar sauce for other than fish? ›

Tartar sauce is made of an egg-based sauce (mayonnaise or aioli, typically) and pickled vegetables ( usually cucumber). Those ingredients are also used on hamburgers/ veggie burgers, French fries/ pommes frites, and some sandwiches. Let your imagination run wild. Fried Oysters, clams, shrimp, etc.

How long does homemade tartar sauce last? ›

Tartar sauce should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for about a week. Obviously, if it starts to smell funky in the fridge or the flavor is off before the week is up, you should dump it. Similar to other mayonnaise-based condiments, tartar sauce does not freeze well because the emulsion can break.

What is tartar sauce good with besides fish? ›

Despite its frequent association with fish, tartar sauce is also delicious on other breaded goodies, such as air-fried cauliflower bites. If you love fried foods but aren't a huge fan of their impact on your health, air fryers offer a great alternative, according to a medically reviewed article on WebMD.

How long is homemade tartar sauce good for in fridge? ›

How long does it keep? This homemade tartar sauce will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Keep it in an airtight container or jar and you can use it right from chilled.

What is Captain D's tartar sauce made of? ›

Ingredients 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickle 1 tablespoon capers, drained and chopped 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill 2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot or onion 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon salt In a small bowl, stir together all the ingredients.

How long does homemade tartare sauce last in the fridge? ›

All you have to do to make tartar sauce is stir together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup plain yogurt (or just do 1 cup total mayonnaise), ¼ cup dill relish, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, and ½ tsp dried dill. Stir it all together and you're good to go! You can store this sauce in the fridge for up to five days.

Is tartar good for you? ›

Cream of tartar is praised for multiple potential health benefits, from migraine relief to help quitting smoking. Yet, the only claim that's backed by science is its effect as constipation relief. The FDA recognizes cream of tartar as a safe ingredient when consumed in small quantities.

Is tartar sauce bad for cholesterol? ›

Tartar sauce is typically made with mayonnaise, which is a source of cholesterol and saturated fat. Consuming large amounts of saturated fat can increase your blood cholesterol levels, particularly the levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which is known as "bad" cholesterol.

Is tartar sauce good for heart? ›

Eating tartar sauce may promote bone and heart health

But just because it's not the lightest accompaniment doesn't mean it's completely lacking in nutritional benefits. According to Healthline, tartar sauce is relatively low in calories, with two tablespoons adding up to about 63 calories.

Why is tartar sauce so high in calories? ›

Tartar Sauce

You knew it had to be bad since it's made with mayonnaise. A single tablespoon of creamy tartar sauce packs a whopping 75 calories. Fortunately, there are healthier ways to add flavor to fish. Marinate it with a flavorful marinade before cooking it or grill it and serve it with chutney sauce instead.

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