Description
This easy homemade tartar sauce recipe is a creamy and tangy condiment perfect for enhancing the flavor of seafood dishes such as fried fish and crab cakes. Made with high-quality mayonnaise, dill pickles, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, capers, and optional fresh herbs, it offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors. Ready in just 15 minutes, this tartar sauce can be chilled ahead to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise (High-quality mayonnaise for best taste)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (Adds a subtle sharpness)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed for brightness)
- 1 pinch Salt (To taste)
- 1 pinch Pepper (To taste)
Flavor Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Dill Pickles (Finely chopped for texture)
- 1 tablespoon Capers (Finely chopped for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Herbs (optional) (Finely chopped parsley or dill)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the ingredients needed for the tartar sauce and place them on your countertop for easy access.
- Chop Pickles: Finely chop the dill pickles and set them aside for incorporation into the sauce.
- Add Mayonnaise: Place the mayonnaise into a mixing bowl as the creamy base of the sauce.
- Mix in Mustard: Add the Dijon mustard to the mayonnaise and stir well to combine the flavors evenly.
- Incorporate Pickles: Stir the chopped dill pickles into the mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed for texture.
- Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the bowl and mix thoroughly to add brightness and acidity.
- Mix in Capers: Add the finely chopped capers and stir well to blend their sharp, salty flavor into the sauce.
- Season: Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Add Fresh Herbs (Optional): If using, fold the finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill into the sauce for extra freshness.
- Chill Sauce: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve the tartar sauce chilled alongside your favorite dishes such as fried fish or crab cakes for a flavorful complement.
Notes
- This sauce is best when prepared ahead and chilled to enhance the flavor combination.
- Use high-quality mayonnaise for the best texture and taste.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice and mustard according to your taste preference.
- Fresh herbs are optional but add a nice fresh touch and color to the sauce.
- The tartar sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
