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    Home » Recipes » 10 Minute Recipes

    Easy Tartare Sauce

    By Dannii · Published 13th August 2021 · Updated 14th September 2021 · 13 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links and generates income via ads · This site uses cookies · Post contains 1377 words. · About 7 minutes to read this article.

    43 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Easy Tartare Sauce with a text title overlay.

    Homemade tartare sauce is the perfect accompaniment to fish and chips, or our epic fish finger sandwich, and it's super easy to make too. A creamy sauce with chunks of gherkin, this easy tartare sauce recipe is better than any store bought version and ready in just a couple of minutes.

    A bowl of tartare sauce on a board with parsley, lemons, gherkins and capers.

    For us, tartare sauce is what makes fish and chips. Sure, it's great by itself, but this creamy sauce takes it to the next level. With just a few ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your kitchen, you have a sauce that goes with so many different meals.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients needed
    • Step by step
    • Why should you try it?
    • Where does tartare sauce come from?
    • Variations
    • Healthy swap
    • What to serve it with
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More sauce recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Ingredients needed

    • Mayonnaise - This is where all the creaminess comes from. You can make your own mayonnaise, or use a store bought one. If you are using store bought one, get the best quality one you can as you will really taste the difference. We used full fat, as it has the best flavour, but you can used reduced fat to save some calories.
    • Gherkins - This is where most of the crunch comes from. We use whole gherkins in a dill vinegar and then chop them up fine. How chunky you leave them is up to you.
    • Capers - Don't be put off using these, as they are a must for tartare sauce and add a lovely saltiness and such a unique tangy flavour. You can keep them whole, or chop them up which is what we have done. You could leave them out if you don't have them though.
    • Shallots - Whilst this isn't always traditionally found in tartare sauce, we find it adds a bit more crunch and flavour, and a touch of sweetness too.
    • Lemon - This helps to cut through the creaminess of the mayo with some acidity and helps to lighten it up and it also thins the sauce out so it is the perfect consistency. You could add vinegar instead though.
    • Mustard - You don't have to add this, but we find it adds a kick of extra flavour. We add Dijon as it is nice and creamy.
    • Parsley - This adds a real freshness to the sauce and helps to lighten it up. You could swap parsley for dill if you prefer.
    • Salt and pepper - Season it to your liking, but remember that the gherkins and capers already add some saltiness.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

    Step by step

    One: Add all the ingredients to a bowl.

    A bowl of mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, parsley, shallot, capers and mustard.

    Two: Mix well to combine everything.

    All the ingredients mixed into a tartare sauce.

    Why should you try it?

    • Quick and easy to make - This really couldn't be easier to make. Just dump all the ingredients in to a bowl and mix together. It takes just a couple of minutes.
    • Goes with everything - Okay, maybe not EVERYTHING, but it is really versatile. We love it with fish dishes, but equally we love it with homemade chips to dip in. Just try not to eat it straight out of the bowl with a spoon.
    • Just a few ingredients - The few ingredients that go in to making this tartare sauce are probably already in your kitchen.
    • Better than store bought - You won't taste a better tartare sauce than this homemade version. Store bought ones are not only full of additives, but they are seriously lacking when it comes to gherkins and capers, which is where all the texture comes from.

    Where does tartare sauce come from?

    Little is known about the inventor of tartare sauce. The common theory is that it was most likely invented by the French and was first made at some point after the 18th century.

    However, some people say it is named after the Tatar tribe which came from Eurasian Steppe to occupy parts of Ukraine and Russia. The Tartar tribe introduced finely minced meat eaten raw which became known as hamburg steak. The sauce they used on Steak Tartare became known as Tartare sauce.

    A hand dipping a fish finger into a bowl of tartare sauce.

    Variations

    There aren't many ways to change this classic sauce, however there are a few changes that can be made. You don't have to add shallots and mustard, but we think they are delicious additions.

    We have used parsley as the herb in this sauce, however you could use dill instead. Dill goes really well with fish too. You could even use a mixture of dill and parsley.

    heart icon

    Healthy swap

    If you want to make a lighter version of this sauce, you could use reduced fat mayo, or you could swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt. It wouldn't be as creamy, and the creaminess is what makes this sauce so delicious.

    What to serve it with

    Our homemade tartare sauce goes perfectly with fish, so why not try serving it with one of our fish dishes:

    • Homemade Fish Fingers
    • Epic Fish Finger Sandwich
    • Salmon Wrap
    • Salmon Burger
    • Crispy Prawn Tacos
    • Tuna Fishcakes
    • Salmon Fishcakes

    We also love this as a dip for chips. Why not try our Best Ever Air Fryer Chips?

    A plate of chips with a small pot of tartare sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is tartare sauce healthy?

    This is quite an indulgent calorie heavy sauce. However, you can make it lighter by using light mayo and doing half and half with Greek yogurt. This would change the flavour though.

    What does tartare sauce taste like?

    It is an indulgent creamy sauce and has a subtle crunchy from the gherkins, and a nice tang from the lemon juice, with lots of freshness from the parsley.

    What do I do with the rest of the capers in the jar?

    You might be wondering what to do with the rest of the capers. Well, don't waste them as there are so many ways to use them. They go in a Caesar Salad Dressing, they are delicious on top of salads, and we like them in pasta dishes and on top of smoked salmon.

    How to store tartare sauce?

    This is always best made fresh, and it only takes a couple of minutes to do. However, if you do have leftovers then it can be kept in an air tight container for up to 3 days. Just give it a good mix before serving.

    Can you make vegan tartare sauce?

    To make a vegan version of this, simply sway the mayo for your favourite vegan version.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • If you are making your own mayonnaise, my top tip is to add the oil a little at a time.
    • Feel free to adjust the amount of gherkins, capers, lemon juice and mustard to suit your own tastes. Add a little bit and taste and then you can always add more.
    • We recommend putting the sauce in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving, as it lefts the flavours all come together.
    • For a lighter sauce, swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt.

    More sauce recipes

    • Salsa Picante
    • Roasted Carrot Hummus
    • Healthy Ranch Dressing
    • Christmas Chutney

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    If you’ve tried this homemade tartare sauce recipe, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Don't forget to rate the recipe ↓

    Recipe

    A bowl of easy tartare sauce with a spoon in it.

    Easy Tartare Sauce

    Homemade tartare sauce is the perfect accompaniment to any fish dish. Better than any store bought version and ready in just a couple of minutes.
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    5 from 16 votes
    Pin Print
    Course: Sauce/Spread
    Cuisine: British, French
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of a cracked egg.
    Eggs
    An illustration of a mustard bottle.
    Mustard
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 173kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 220 ml mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon capers drained and chopped
    • 3 gherkins drained and chopped
    • 1 shallot finely diced
    • 0.5 lemon juice only
    • 5 g fresh parsley finely chopped
    • 0.5 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    • Add all the ingredients to a bowl.
    • Mix well to combine everything.

    Notes

    • If you are making your own mayonnaise, my top tip is to add the oil a little at a time.
    • Feel free to adjust the amount of gherkins, capers, lemon juice and mustard to suit your own tastes. Add a little bit and taste and then you can always add more.
    • We recommend putting the sauce in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving, as it lefts the flavours all come together.
    • For a lighter sauce, swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    « Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elle @ Spice and Life

      August 15, 2021 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      Perfect Sunday recipe to go with my fish... thank you for sharing! So easy to prepare and extremely tasty!

      Reply
    2. veenaazmanov

      August 15, 2021 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      Perfect Dip and amazing combination to enjoy it with. Love to make my weekend special.

      Reply
    3. Tavo

      August 15, 2021 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      We loved the recipe! We served it as part of our falafel mezze platter and was absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    4. Tara

      August 14, 2021 at 10:36 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! I love Tartare Sauce but haven't tried making it homemade before. This looks so good! It comes together so easily too.

      Reply
    5. Kris

      August 14, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious!

      Reply
    6. Beth

      August 14, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      My husband just loves tartare sauce and we can’t wait to try your recipe! Looks so delicious and going to be perfect for our dinner tonight! So excited to give this tasty looking sauce a try!

      Reply
    7. Tavo

      August 14, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      I really enjoyed making this recipe! I made it with potato wedges and it was spectacular! thank you!

      Reply
    8. Biana

      August 14, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      5 stars
      The sauce looks so simple to make and delicious! It will be perfect to serve with some grilled fish.

      Reply
    9. Alejandra

      August 14, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never tried making tartar sauce before! (didn’t know you could make it!) Definitely going to try out this recipe, love that its easy to make!

      Reply
    10. Kristen

      August 14, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      This tartar sauce turned out great! Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Claudia Lamascolo

      August 14, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      this was step by step perfect thanks This recipe impressed everyone and so easy its delicious and a keeper!

      Reply
    12. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      August 14, 2021 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      Love tartare sauce and I think making your own is so handy and tastes much better than a jar. Great tips here too.

      Reply
    13. Alice | SkinnySpatula

      August 14, 2021 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      It's so easy to make your own, isn't it? Great tip about the Greek yoghurt!

      Reply

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    Welcome! My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist, along with travel, home and family life and general happiness.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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