This Homemade Tartare Sauce is 100x better than anything you’ll get from the store. Plus it’s gonna go down in less than 5mins!

spoon dipping into small white pot of sauce

Tartare Sauce

First things first, just to blow away any cobwebs – 

What is Tartare Sauce 🤔- Tartare Sauce (or Tartar Sauce if you’re in the US) is a French mayonnaise based dip with capers and other goodies, often served with seafood.

To be honest I was never a huge fan of tartare sauce growing up. I mean, my limited experience of it went as far as McDonald’s tartare sauce and maybe a sachet from the chippy. So, hardly surprising I wasn’t a fan (sorry love you really Maccy D’s!!) BUT, even in recent times I really struggle to find anywhere that sells a decent tartare sauce. So naturally I took it upon myself to create my own. The result? BLOOMIN’ DELICIOUS (if I do say so myself 😂). Here’s what you’re gonna need:

Tartare Sauce Ingredients

  • Mayo – The bulk of the sauce, always full fat!
  • Capers – An absolute must have for tartare sauce!
  • Cornichons – These are small pickled cucumbers. Can use regular gherkins or dill pickles.
  • Parsley – Adds a subtle herby freshness to the sauce.
  • Dill – A classic pairing with seafood.
  • Lemon Juice – Adds acidity. Can sub vinegar or dill pickle juice!

Tartare Sauce with Capers

These are essential for tartare sauce. They add a nice salty/tangy flavour and a bit of texture too. You can keep them whole, but I prefer the finely diced them.

teaspoon pouring sauce onto tuna fish cakes

How to make Tartare Sauce

In the first instance it really is as easy as combining everything in a small pot. I highly recommend making this in advance and letting the flavours develop in the fridge. I usually make it at least an hour ahead of time, but, it will still taste delicious if served immediately.

The other thing to note when making tartare sauce is it’s all down to preference. If you want to adjust more or less of each ingredient then go for it!

To store: Tightly cover or seal in a jar in the fridge until needed. I usually devour mine within 3-4days, but you can keep it much longer at your discretion. 

How to make Tartare Sauce - 2 step by step photos

How to use Tartare Sauce

It’s classically served with seafood, but can be used in a variety of different ways. My favourites are with Pan Fried Cod and Tuna Fish Cakes, but can also be used as a Dip for Finger Foods such as Beer Battered Onion Rings!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe shall we?!

dunking tuna fish cakes into small white pot of tartare sauce

How to make Tartare Sauce (Full Recipe & Video)

dunking tuna fish cakes into small white pot of tartare sauce
5 from 4 votes

Tartare Sauce

This Homemade Tartare Sauce is 100x better than anything you'll get from the store. Plus it's gonna go down in less than 5mins!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
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Equipment

  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Small Pot or Mixing Bowl
  • 1 cup Measuring Cup
  • 1 tbsp Measuring Spoon
  • 1 tsp Measuring Spoon

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup / 230g Full Fat Mayo
  • 2 tbsp Capers, finely diced (or roughly chopped/kept whole)
  • 2 tbsp Cornichons/Gherkins, finely diced
  • 1 heaped tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely diced
  • 2 tsp Fresh Dill, finely diced
  • 1 Lemon, juice only (or to taste)

Instructions 

  • Combine all of your ingredients in a small mixing bowl or pot and adjust to taste. See recipe notes for subs.

Video

Notes

a) Lemon Juice - This is here mainly for the acidity, but also as it's a classic pairing with fish, and fish classically pairs with tartare sauce. If you don't have lemon juice you can sub white wine vinegar, or even the brine from the cornichons/gherkins. In all cases just start off with around 1tbsp and adjust accordingly. I usually use a whole lemon (approx 2 tbsp), but work to taste.
b) Cornichons - For all intents and purpose these are small pickled cucumbers (about the size of your pinky). Regular gherkins work fine, in the US you're looking for dill pickles.
c) Seasoning/Sugar - If you find the dip too acidic or salty just add a dash of white sugar to balance out the flavours. I don't usually add salt (capers can be quite salty) but do add a pinch if you desire. You can also add black pepper if you wish.
d) Make Ahead - I highly recommend making this dip in advance to give the flavours a chance to marry together. I usually eat it within 3-4days if tightly covered in the fridge, but you can store longer at your discretion. 
e) Calories - Based on sharing between 8.

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.04g | Protein: 0.44g | Fat: 20.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.232g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12.306g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4.684g | Trans Fat: 0.051g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.34g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 3.2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.22mg

Looking for more?

You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’


If you loved this Tartare Sauce Recipe then be sure to pin it for later! Already made them or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!

Chris Collins, food blogger at Don't Go Bacon My Heart in white jumper eating a slice of garlic flatbread
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Recipe Rating




8 Comments

  1. Anjali says:

    5 stars
    I had no idea how easy it was to make tartar sauce! Now that I’ve made this recipe I’ll never go back to store bought again!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks, Anjali 🙂

  2. Denay DeGuzman says:

    5 stars
    We’re having crab cakes this evening, and I was searching for a great tartare sauce recipe. Yours is fantastic! I whipped it up in no time flat. Now it’s off to the refrigerator until dinnertime.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Yum! This is gonna go so awesome with crab cakes!!

  3. Kim Lee says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! It was easy and so delicious! Will definitely be making again!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Awesome! So glad you loved it! 🙂

  4. Krissy Allori says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I love being able to make my own sauces so I can know exactly what’s in it. Thank you so much!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      You’re so welcome!! 🙂