This easy homemade tartar sauce is better than anything you can buy at the store. It’s extra creamy and perfect for serving next to your favorite seafood dishes.
This easy tartar sauce is quick to make and flavorful, making it better than store-bought tartar sauce. You probably already have most of the ingredients you need to make it in your kitchen.
We love this sauce served next to poached salmon, homemade fish sticks, and our favorite crab cakes.
Tartar sauce, the tangy condiment made with mayonnaise, pickles, and herbs, is a classic partner for fish. The creamy, piquant sauce adds flavorful contrast to mild white fish in particular. In this article, we’ll explore the best fish options to serve with homemade or store-bought tartar sauce.
Tartar sauce likely originated as a complement to steak tartare the raw beef dish. The sauce’s acidity offsets rich meats. Today tartar sauce is ubiquitous with fish and chips the beloved British pub food staple. But don’t limit yourself to just cod or haddock! Let’s look at the many finfish that pair beautifully with this versatile sauce.
Mild White Fish
Tartar sauce is tailor made for mild, flaky white fish. The sauce’s tanginess and creamy base cut through the delicate fish nicely. Opt for a simple preparation like batter frying or grilling to let the fish shine.
- Cod
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Flounder
- Sole
- Tilapia
These options have subtle sweetness that the tartar sauce accents The sauce also adds moisture to naturally dry white fish Fry up some cod or halibut and serve with cold tartar sauce for a foolproof match,
Salmon
Rich and buttery salmon is another seafood star complemented by tangy tartar sauce. Either wild-caught or farmed salmon pair well. Grill or pan sear salmon filets, then top with a dollop of the sauce.
Smoked salmon and tartar sauce is an elegant combination. Try a smoked salmon dip with tartar and cream cheese or build smoked salmon sandwiches with the sauce.
Tuna
Meaty tuna deserves a flavor boost from tartar sauce as well. For tuna salads or sandwiches, whisk some of the sauce into the tuna as a creamy binder.
Seared or grilled tuna steaks should also get a topping of the tart, cooling sauce to contrast the rare tuna. Searing brings out tuna’s beefy character that benefits from the sauce.
Fish Cakes and Croquettes
From salmon patties to crab cakes, fish croquettes and fishcakes often call for tartar sauce as a dunking partner. The sauce marries well with formed fish patties or cakes that are breaded and fried.
Tartar sauce cools the hot fried coating and brings moisture to the fish. Make your own fish cakes at home and serve with homemade or store-bought tartar sauce for dipping.
Fish Tacos
Give your fish taco game an upgrade by topping with tartar sauce. Fried white fish, grilled tuna or salmon all shine in tacos with layers of tartar sauce, crunchy cabbage, and Mexican crema.
The sauce adds needed moisture and tang to balance the other taco fillings. Don’t hold back on tartar for tacos—its bold flavor handles other strong ingredients.
Fish Sandwiches
Burgers aren’t the only handheld that deserves special sauce. Tartar sauce pairs wonderfully with all types of fish sandwiches too.
Use it to top crispy fried white fish or salmon sandwiches. Mix the sauce into tuna salad for tuna melts. The options for fish sandwiches are endless, so get creative with tartar sauce additions.
Shellfish
Tartar sauce isn’t just for finfish—shellfish also benefits from the zesty sauce. Fried shrimp, scallops, calamari, and oysters all taste fantastic dunked into the creamy, acidic mixture.
The sauce livens up otherwise plain shellfish with lots of flavor. It also cools down fried or sauteed shellfish beautifully. Clams, mussels, and crab are more shellfish that work well with tartar sauce.
What About Sushi?
You may be wondering: does tartar sauce work with sushi? Not traditionally, no. Most sushi is meant to highlight the pure taste of the raw fish, without heavy sauces.
That said, some modern sushi chefs are getting creative with sauces. A little drizzle of tangy sauce could liven up salmon or tuna rolls. Just don’t overpower the delicate sushi rice and fish.
Make Your Own Tartar Sauce
Hopefully you’re now inspired to whip up your own tartar sauce after learning which fish pair so well with it. Use this simple tartar sauce recipe:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1⁄4 cup dill pickle relish
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp capers (optional)
Whisk together the ingredients until thoroughly combined. Adjust lemon and pickle to taste. You can also add herbs like dill or parsley. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before using to let flavors meld.
With this easy homemade sauce, you can transform ordinary fish into extraordinary. So next time you cook up fish fillets, tacos, sandwiches or more, take them to the next level with tartar sauce.
How to Make the Best Tartar Sauce
If you can chop and stir a few ingredients together, you can make tartar sauce. We got ideas for our own recipe from our favorite seafood restaurants because I’ve never been happy with store-bought tartar sauce. I’ve never looked back.
You’ll add everything to a bowl and stir them until well blended. Just a few seconds of stirring turns the sauce into a creamy and delicious sauce. Then, I place it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes since this does get better overtime.
What to Serve with Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a must when making our Maryland-style crab cakes.
I love to serve tartar sauce with roasted vegetables. I especially love dunking baked sweet potato fries or these oven-baked potato wedges into the sauce. Roasted cauliflower is also delicious.