What is Tartar Sauce?
Tartar sauce is a condiment that is commonly served with seafood. It is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce made from mayonnaise, chopped pickles, capers, lemon juice, and other seasonings. Tartar sauce is a popular condiment for fried fish, fish sandwiches, and other seafood dishes. It can be found in the condiment aisle of most grocery stores, but nothing compares to homemade tartar sauce.
Why Make Homemade Tartar Sauce?
Making tartar sauce at home is a great way to have a delicious condiment that is fresh and full of flavor. Store-bought tartar sauce is often made with additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Homemade tartar sauce will taste much better and you can control the ingredients used. You can also adjust the flavor of the sauce to your liking by adding more or less of certain ingredients.
Ingredients for Homemade Tartar Sauce
To make homemade tartar sauce, you will need mayonnaise, sweet pickles or relish, capers, finely chopped onions, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. The ingredients are easy to find and most of them are probably already in your kitchen.
Steps to Make Tartar Sauce
Making tartar sauce is simple and takes only a few minutes. Start by combining the mayonnaise, pickles or relish, capers, onions, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Use a whisk to combine all of the ingredients until they are thoroughly blended. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as desired. Refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve.
Serving and Storing Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is best served chilled. It can be served with fish, seafood, french fries, and other fried dishes. Store the tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze the sauce for up to three months. When you are ready to use the sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Tips for Making the Best Tartar Sauce
When making tartar sauce, it is best to use fresh ingredients. If you are using store-bought mayonnaise, make sure it is not expired. For the pickles or relish, you can use sweet or dill. You can also add fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, or chives for extra flavor. If you prefer a less tangy sauce, you can reduce the amount of lemon juice and mustard.
Variations of Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce can be easily customized with different ingredients. You can add chopped hard-boiled eggs, chopped olives, or anchovy paste for extra flavor. You can also use other types of mustards such as spicy brown mustard or honey mustard. For a creamier sauce, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
Conclusion
Making tartar sauce at home is simple and you can customize it to your liking. Store-bought tartar sauce can’t compare to the flavor of homemade tartar sauce. With this easy recipe, you can enjoy the perfect accompaniment to fish, seafood, and other fried dishes. Enjoy!
