It is no secret that I love fish – grilled in the oven, BBQ-ed, fried up fish and chips style – absolutely any style, at any time.
But let’s be real – even the best fish is not fully complete without a good side dish. I am talking about a good fresh salad and a delicious tartar sauce to tie it all together.
Today, I am sharing my favourite homemade tartar sauce recipe. It is creamy, tangy, herby, and just a bit spicy if you like it that way. I am incredibly proud of this one. After lots of taste-testing and a few kitchen experiments, I finally landed on the perfect combination of ingredients and flavours.
I think you are going to love it!
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What is Tartar Sauce?
Tartar sauce is a mayo-based condiment made with pickles, onions, herbs, and a splash of fresh lemon juice. It is famous for pairing beautifully with fish and seafood, but often goes very well with cutlets, crispy cutlets, or just roasted veggies.
What Do You Need
Dill Pickles – They bring a tangy crunch, which is also my favourite feature of this sauce. No pickles? No worries -. you can substitute with finely chopped mini cucumbers.
Onion – A little strong flavour with spice it all up.
Mayonnaise – For a rich creamy texture.
Sour Cream – To lighten things up and keep the sauce from feeling too heavy.
Lemon Juice – Although it is optional, I highly recommended it for some extra freshness and nice aroma.
Salt and Black Pepper – Simply season to taste.
Dill – Fresh finely chopped works the best, but dried dill still gets the job done, if needed.
Fresh Red Chilli Pepper – For a little spicy kick. Totally optional if you are making this for kids. You can add some finely chopped chillies into your own serving.
Homemade Tartar Sauce with a Kick
Course: SidesCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes85
kcal5
minutesThis homemade tartar sauce with chilli pepper adds the perfect kick to any dish. Easy, quick, and way better than any store-bought you can find.
Ingredients
¼ cup sour cream
⅛ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon chopped dill
2 medium dill pickles, finely chopped
1–2 chives, finely chopped
1 small red chilli pepper, chopped (optional)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
- In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and mayonnaise until you get a smooth creamy texture.
- Add chopped dill pickles and red chilli pepper.
- Toss in the chopped chives and minced garlic.
- Squeeze in a splash of lemon juice, just enough to brighten everything up.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Give it a good stir until everything is nicely combined. And that’s it!
Notes
- Make sure you pat the chopped pickles dry first to remove extra moisture, that can dilute the flavour of the sauce.
How to Serve the Tartar Sauce
Few of my favourite ways to use this sauce are:
- Classic fish and chips
- Grilled fish – whatever your favourite is (salmon, cod, trout, whatever you love).
- Shrimp, crab cakes, calamari – basically any seafood you can think of.
- Chicken cutlets or nuggets – speak about crunchiness dipped in this creamy flavourful sauce.
- Grilled veggies – use it as a dip as you party with friends.
I even love it spread inside a sandwich or wrap instead of a simple mayo. Seriously, it will make bring the sandwich to a whole new level.
How to Store Leftovers
Simply pop any leftover sauce into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.It stays fresh for about five days. Make sure you do not freeze it. Mayo-based sauces don’t perform the best in the freezer.
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Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron! As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
