Peanut butter and jelly, chicken and waffles, chips and salsa: some pairings were meant to be. And while fried seafood and tartar sauce doesnt have the same name recognition, its safe to say that our favorite fish dishes would suffer without some help from the creamy, tangy sauce weve all come to love. Made with mayonnaise, pickles, mustard, and lemon juice, tartar sauce is a chilled condiment popular throughout the world.
But theres so much more to this chunky off-white sauce than you might realize. In this article, we delve into need-to-know tartar sauce facts including recipe variations, unexpected uses, name origins, health benefits, and more. And by the time its all said and done, we guarantee youll never look at this tasty sauce the same way ever again. So, grab your mayonnaise, dig into your fish and chips, and get ready to learn about the fascinating life of tartar sauce.
Tartar sauce is based on either mayonnaise or aioli, with certain other ingredients added. In the UK, recipes typically add to the base capers, gherkins, lemon juice, and dill. US recipes may include chopped dill pickles, onions (or chives), and fresh parsley.
There are more ingredients than meet the eye
When youre in a rush, you can whip up a quick four-ingredient tartar sauce by combining mayonnaise, chopped pickles (or relish), yellow mustard, and lemon juice. However, if youre looking for a more refined homemade tartar sauce, substitute the yellow mustard for Dijon and add ingredients like capers, cornichons, and Worcestershire sauce. The variations dont end there. For example, you can try using aioli instead of mayonnaise. This substitution results in a thinner sauce with strong notes of garlic. Alternatively, you can experiment with herbs. Tarragon and dill are classics but parsley, rosemary, and basil are also excellent for freshening up your sauce. If youre feeling hesitant about experimenting, just remember — its really difficult to mess up tartar sauce.
True culinary rebels can mix things up by adding unconventional ingredients like green olives, jalapeños, or smashed avocado. Each of these ingredients creates a totally new tartar sauce experience. Green olives add an extra dose of saltiness that balances out the bready flavor of fried dishes, whereas jalapeño tartar sauce gives a spicy kick to fish tacos and fried catfish. On the other hand, avocado tartar sauce adds a pleasant creaminess to burgers or sandwiches.
It’s the perfect seafood condiment
This one might seem like a no-brainer, especially if youve spent any amount of time gobbling up fried seafood. But have you ever wondered why tartar sauce pairs so well with your beloved fish and chips? There are a few reasons why its so crave-worthy when eating seafood.
For one, the mayonnaise gives tartar sauce its distinctive body, perfect for clinging to breaded clams, oysters, and calamari. The mayo also provides a creaminess that softens the crunchiness of the fried crust and helps keep the fish or seafood moist, something that proves challenging when frying. Another reason tartar sauce and fried seafood go hand in hand is that the lemon juice provides just the right amount of acidity to balance out the richness and fishiness of the main dish. Lastly, the chill of the tartar sauce offsets the heat from the fryer, allowing you to cool down your food to the perfect chow-down temperature.
How to Make the Best Homemade Tartar Sauce
FAQ
Is tartar sauce made from mayo?
What is tartar sauce similar to?
Is tartar sauce healthier than mayo?
What is the difference between tartar sauce and tartare sauce?
Can I substitute Mayo for tartar sauce?
To make this easy tartar sauce recipe vegan, just swap the mayo out for your favorite vegan mayo substitute, such as olive oil mayo! Tartar Sauce with Capers: A classic way to serve tartar is with capers. Stir in 1 tablespoon capers to the sauce to add a strong tang! Dijon Mustard: 1 teaspoon dijon mustard adds a fun twist of flavor!
What does tartar sauce taste like?
It’s both tangy and creamy — you’ll be addicted to it in no time. What is Tartar Sauce? Tartar sauce is a chilled sauce made with a base of ingredients including mayonnaise, pickles, herbs, and lemon juice. It is most often paired with seafood dishes, but also tastes great with veggies and bread.
What is a 5 minute tartar sauce?
This 5-minute tartar sauce is the ultimate dipping sauce to pair with a variety of seafood dishes. It’s both tangy and creamy — you’ll be addicted to it in no time. What is Tartar Sauce? Tartar sauce is a chilled sauce made with a base of ingredients including mayonnaise, pickles, herbs, and lemon juice.
What is tartar sauce?
Tartar sauce is a mayonnaise-based condiment made with chopped pickles or relish, shallots and capers that’s typically served with seafood. It’s often enjoyed as dip for fried fish, especially fish and chips, as well as other seafood dishes, such as our Best Crab Cakes, Perfect Salmon Burgers or Salmon Cakes with Salad (pictured above).