Description
This homemade tartar sauce recipe is a creamy, tangy condiment perfect for pairing with fried seafood, fish sticks, or sandwiches. Made with simple ingredients like mayonnaise, dill pickles, lemon juice, and fresh herbs, this easy-to-make sauce elevates any dish with its bright and savory flavors. It requires no cooking and can be prepared in just 10 minutes, making it an ideal quick addition for gatherings or everyday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Tartar Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons minced dill pickles
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot (or green onions)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Whisk together mayonnaise, minced dill pickles, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, chives, shallot, and optional hot sauce and parsley in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
- Season Sauce: Taste your tartar sauce mixture and season it with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Chill Before Serving: Transfer the tartar sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a more flavorful sauce.
Notes
- For a bit of extra tang, substitute white wine vinegar for lemon juice or vice versa.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of dill pickles to your preferred level of chunkiness or tanginess.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can finely chop the pickles and shallots or pulse them briefly in a food processor.
- The hot sauce is optional and can be omitted or increased depending on your heat preference.
- Store tartar sauce in the refrigerator and consume within one week for best freshness and safety.
