Simple Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe

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Tartar sauce perfectly accompanies any seafood, from fried fish to calamari. If you are tired of bottled tartar sauce with all the added preservatives, then you are in luck! This post teaches you how to make a homemade old-fashioned tartar sauce!

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Feature Image

Whenever thinking of fish and chips, or just any sort of fried seafood, tartar sauce is a must as an accompaniment. Somehow, fish and chips can only be complete with this good old condiment! It is also very widely available in the market.

But the bottled ones are packed with preservatives, and you can sometimes taste them. There is a pronounced difference between fresh and bottled tartar sauce, which can be recognized just with a single bite!

So, if you are looking for a fresh tartar sauce to accompany your plate of mighty fried seafood, this recipe is perfect! It may seem too much to make a sauce from scratch, but it is effortless!

All you need are some simple ingredients already in your pantry. You need to mix all these ingredients, which is as simple as it gets! In this article, you will find a complete guide to making this tartar sauce at home, from the equipment to everything else! So, let’s explore!

Equipment Required

Measuring Cups: If you are like me and want your ingredient measurements as precise as possible, a set of measuring cups will surely be handy!
Spoons: A few regular teaspoons and tablespoons from your pantry will work well for measuring the seasonings and flavorings for this sauce.
Bowl: A large bowl is needed to mix all the ingredients for the tartar sauce.
Silicone Spatula: This one is optional, but a spatula can help you clean the bowl and bring all the ingredients together.
Airtight Jar: Transfer the sauce to an airtight jar, then refrigerate it once it’s ready.

Old-Fashioned Tartar Sauce Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: This recipe serves 4 people. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients based on the size of the gathering.

1 Cup Mayonnaise: You can add sour cream or hung curd to the recipe if mayonnaise is not available.
1 Dill Pickle: Jalapeño is a perfect substitute for a dill pickle.
1½ Teaspoons Lemon Juice: Add apple cider vinegar as a perfect alternative.
1 Tablespoon Minced Fresh Dill: You can add chives instead of fresh dill.
2 Teaspoons Chopped Capers: Substitute them with green olives.
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard: Add yellow mustard if Dijon is unavailable.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	–	10 Minutes

How To Make Old-Fashioned Tartar Sauce At Home

Step 1

Take a small bowl and add mayonnaise.

Step 2

Further, add pickle and lemon juice.

Step 3

Now, add dill, capers, and mustard. Mix it well.

Step 4

Keep the bowl in the refrigerator so that flavors meld in perfectly.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

Add full-fat mayo to the recipe for a perfectly creamy texture.
Make sure pickles are finely chopped so they mix in well and add flavor to every bite.
Pat the pickles dry before adding them to the sauce so they don’t make it watery.
I like to add cracked black pepper to the recipe as it adds a subtle flavor to the sauce.
You can also add a splash of pickle juice for more depth and flavor.

FAQ About Old-Fashioned Tartar Sauce

Why is my tartar sauce bitter?

Bitterness in tartar sauce is usually caused by adding excessive mustard, old herbs, or lemon zest. Add all these ingredients in the right proportion to fix the flavor, and make sure you add fresh herbs in the recipe.

Why does it taste sour?

If your sauce is runny, it could be due to extra moisture from the pickles or to you adding too much lemon juice. To fix the consistency, add some mayonnaise to the sauce, which will make it a little thicker.

Why is the sauce too runny?

If you open the oven door during baking, your coffee cake may sink in the center. This happens because all the hot air escapes from the oven, sinking the cake in the center. So, however tempting it may be, I recommend not opening the oven door until your cake is completely baked.

Why did my tartar sauce separate?

The sauce usually separates when you add too much liquid or when you haven’t mixed it properly. Before serving, make sure the sauce is well stored and add mayonnaise if required.

Nutritional information per serving

The Old-Fashioned Tartar sauce is surely one of the most indulgent and tempting sauces that you can have. The sauce is prepared with wholesome ingredients but is low in nutritional value. I would suggest that you consume it moderately.

Calories	384 kcal
Carbohydrates	1 g
Protein	1 g
Fat	0.3 g
Saturated Fat	7 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	25 g
Monounsaturated Fat	9 g
Trans Fat	0.1 g
Cholesterol	24 mg
Sodium	501 mg
Potassium	34 mg
Fiber	0.3 g
Sugar	1 g
Vitamin A	67 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	15 mg
Iron	0.2 mg

The best part of this recipe is that you can customize it as per your dietary preferences. All you need to do is swap some ingredients here, and you are all set to enjoy it.

Recipe Variation for Different Diets

Vegan Version: You can add vegan mayonnaise instead of normal mayonnaise in the recipe.
High-Protein Version: Add ½ cup Greek yogurt with mayonnaise to increase protein.

Storing This Recipe

Refrigerate: Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate. This way, it will remain fresh for longer.

What To Serve With This Recipe

The Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce is best enjoyed with Mashed Potatoes, Fries, or Cajun French Fries. The sauce also pairs well with Sushi Rolls and adds tangy flavor. To add some amazing flavors, try serving it with Grilled Shrimp. There are ample recipes you can pair it with.

Printable Version

More Sauce Recipes That You Can Try

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Conclusion

Perfectly creamy, chunky, and delicious, old-fashioned tartar sauce is the best accompaniment to a plate of fish and chips! This recipe creates a perfect-tasting tartar sauce that is so much better than the bottled version; it might make you switch to this fresh recipe for good!

Simple Old-Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe

Equipment Required

Old-Fashioned Tartar Sauce Ingredients and Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time