Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julia Jordan

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In this post I am sharing the Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce recipe.

Hey Y’all! Fish Fridays just got a whole lot better. Why? Because I’m sharing how to make the best tartar sauce ever at home. You may never buy the bottled stuff again.

A homemade tartar sauce is rich, tangy and so fresh. It is the perfect condiment for seafood meals or as a spread on a classic fried fish filet sandwich.

Recipes for tartar sauce can be found in cookbooks from the 1800’s but the sauce itself has been around a bit longer. Who knew? I didn’t but we all do now.

What’s Tartar Sauce Made Of?

Tartar sauce is a mayonnaise based condiment with chopped capers, chopped dill pickle relish, a bit of minced onion, Dijon mustard, some lemon juice, a dash of hot sauce and a few seasonings.

I love that you can make a small batch that you’re likely to use up in a month or so rather than the bottled stuff that seems to sit on the shelf forever and eventually expire.

See More Seafood Recipes at Julia’s Simply Southern

Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (1)

How Long Does Homemade Tartar Sauce Last?

If properly stored and refrigerated, your homemade tartar sauce will last several months (up to six) and keep its integrity and flavor. We’ve never had a jar last more than a month before it is all used up….a benefit of making a small batch.

Many of you may be observing Lent this time of year so this sauce will become a staple.

Tartar Sauce with Capers and Dill

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (2)

How Do You Make Tartar Sauce?

Preparing your homemade tartar sauce is very easy. A tiny bit of chopping to make sure the dill pickle cubes and capers are minced is the extent of hard work and then you just have to mix the ingredients together.

Although you are using dill pickle relish, you still want to chop through it to mince up so that it incorporates well into your sauce recipe. That ensures that all of the flavors are found in each tasty bite of tartar sauce.

Southern Tartar Sauce

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (3)

I believe it has always been fairly obvious to most of us that tartar sauce has pickles in it. The real star of the show in this recipe is the capers. There aren’t a lot of capers but they are what really makes a true bona fide traditional tartar sauce recipe.

I remember my attempt at making tartar sauce when I was a lot younger and didn’t know capers should be included. Tartar sauce is just not the same without them. It’s a must in this recipe.

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (4)

So the next time you need a sauce for your Friday night seafood platter or those tasty fish sandwiches, make yourself a fresh batch of tartar sauce.

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe

Let’s make this Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe!

Yield: about 1/ 2 a cup

Tangy and delicious homemade tartar sauce, the perfect condiment for seafood

Prep Time10 minutes

Total Time10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c Mayonnaise (I use Dukes)
  • 1 tsp Dried Minced Onion
  • 1.5 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1.5 tbs Dill Relish
  • 1 tsp Capers, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard (I use Grey Poupon)
  • 1/8 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Hot Sauce
  • Dash of Old Bay Seasoning
  • Dash of Cayenne (optional)

Instructions

  1. Begin by adding the mayonnaise to a small mixing bowl.
  2. To the side of the mayonnaise, add the minced onion.
  3. Add the lemon juice to the same area as the minced onion. This will allow them to soak in some of the moisture.
  4. Mince the dill relish and capers then add to the mixing bowl.
  5. Next, add the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine.
  6. Transfer the tartar sauce to a covered container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Notes

  • Use mayonnaise, NOT Miracle Whip, when making tartar sauce
  • Properly stored tartar sauce may be refrigerated up to six months
  • Use tartar sauce as a condiment for seafood or as a sandwich spread

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 tablespoon

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 95Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 142mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll share this recipe with a friend.

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (7)

You might also enjoy this recipe for Southern Style Salmon Patties.

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Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (8)

About Julia

Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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 are the ingredients in Dukes tartar sauce? ›

Soybean oil, dill pickles (pickles, distilled vinegar, salt, xanthan gum, sodium benzoate, alum, natural spice flavors), distilled and cider vinegar, eggs, sugar, water, salt, olives, capers, parsley, natural flavors, spice, xanthan gum, lactic acid, oleoresin paprika, lemon juice, calcium disodium EDTA added to ...

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

What is Captain D's Tartar Sauce? Captain D's Tartar Sauce is a creamy and flavorful condiment that adds a delicious touch to your favorite dishes. It contains simple-to-find ingredients like mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, minced onion, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and optional chopped capers.

What is a good substitute for tartar sauce? ›

Instead of tartar sauce, use a garlicky aioli with or without a little dill or chopped pickle.

What are the origins of tartar sauce? ›

History. Tartar sauce is named for steak tartare, with which it was commonly served in 19th century France. Recipes for tartar sauce have been found in English-language cookbooks dating to the mid-19th century, including a recipe in Modern Cookery for Private Families in 1860.

How do you make James Martin tartare sauce? ›

To make the sauce, whisk the egg yolks and mustard, slowly drizzling in the oil until thick. Then, mix in the vinegar, herbs, capers, shallots, gherkins, lemon juice, salt and pepper. To serve, place the goujons on a plate and spoon the tartare into a ramekin.

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 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.

What are the ingredients in Sysco tartar sauce? ›

Made with quality ingredients, including soybean oil, pickle relish, egg yolks, and natural flavors, this condiment is perfect for adding flavor to your favorite dishes. Each serving contains 2 tablespoons of the chef-style tartar sauce, meaning you can enjoy up to 126 servings per container!

Does tartar sauce contain vinegar? ›

Ingredients. I like to add diced dill pickles instead of capers. Some of the pickle juice is added to thin the sauce, but feel free to use the same amount of lemon juice. Most recipes call for white vinegar with some sugar added, I like to substitute rice wine vinegar, taking care of both needs there.

What is the flavor profile of tartar sauce? ›

It typically has a creamy and tangy profile with ingredients like mayonnaise, pickles, capers, onions, and lemon juice. These elements add a combination of creaminess, acidity, and a hint of sweetness that complements the mild and delicate flavor of fish.

Is remoulade the same as tartar sauce? ›

Classic French remoulade resembles tartar sauce in both its ingredients and uses, but there are some important differences: tartar sauce uses herbs sparingly, while remoulade makes liberal use of tarragon, chervil, and other aromatic herbs.

What vinegar does Captain D's use? ›

Photo: Love the malt vinegar. And paper towels!

Is tartar sauce in Big Mac sauce? ›

BB sauce is primarily mayo based with some dill pickle relish (think tartar sauce consistency) while Big Mac sauce is a mix of mainly mayonnaise, French dressing, some relish and spices. The French dressing is key to the flavor difference.

Does tartar sauce have cream of tartar in it? ›

In reality, the two have nothing to do with one another. Cream of tartar is a powdery baking ingredient that you'd find in sweets like cookies or meringues. Tartar sauce, on the other hand, is super savory, rich, and tangy. It's typically served with seafood, but trust me – this delicious condiment can do so much more.

Why does tartar sauce taste so good? ›

The inclusion of lemon juice, dill pickles, and capers ensures that tartar sauce offers an unbelievable kick of tang, above and beyond what sour cream offers. That makes the flavor of the baked potato more dynamic, which is perfect when you want to get a little something more out of a weeknight meal.

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