If you’ve enjoyed seafood lately, chances are you’ve encountered tartar sauce and wondered what ingredients make up this delicious condiment.

The most common tartar sauces consist of a mix of mayonnaise, capers, lemon juice, pickles or relish, onions, and various herbs and spices. All these ingredients are combined together and seasoned to give tartar sauce its iconic flavor.

So the next time you’re enjoying fish and chips with a side of tartar sauce, you can rest assured you’re enjoying a mix of some of nature’s best ingredients.

Keep reading to find out more about tartar sauce and why it’s one of the must-have sauces in the kitchen.

What ingredients is tartar sauce made of?

Tartar sauce is actually quite a basic combination of ingredients.

Tartar sauce is made of the following ingredients:

• mayonnaise
• capers
• lemon juice
• pickles or relish
• onions
• tarragon
• dill
• other herbs and spices (optional)
• olives (optional)
• Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Dijon mustard (optional)

These ingredients are all combined together to create an incredibly tasty sauce that can be used in many dishes.

There are some regional variations of tartar sauce that may include other ingredients such as horseradish and garlic, but the classic combination above is what you’ll find most often.

What makes tartar sauce special?

Tartar sauce is a fantastic condiment for so many different dishes due to its unique flavor profile. The combination of mayonnaise, tartar sauce’s main ingredient, and the other herbs and spices gives it a creamy texture and an irresistible blend of flavors.

The addition of capers and pickles also makes tartar sauce a great way to bring an extra element of tanginess and texture to dishes.

What is the best bottled tartar sauce?

You can find all kinds of tartar sauce at the store but not all are equal when it comes to taste.

Best overall: Kraft Tartar Sauce with Natural Lemon Flavor and Herb 

This is probably the best bottled tartar sauce on the market. This is your classic tartar sauce made with quality ingredients, including mayonnaise, capers, relish, lemon and it has a zesty, refreshing flavor.

It’s not too tangy or tart and has a creamy texture that many people enjoy. Kraft Tartar Sauce also contains natural lemon flavor and herbs, making it a great choice for those who like more subtle flavors.

Best cheap: McCormick Golden Dipt Tartar Sauce Original

This tartar sauce has a creamy, runnier texture than Kraft. It has a tangier flavor that is slightly more tart than the classic tartar sauce.

This option is great for those who like a vinegar-like flavor that is only slightly sweet. Overall, this sauce is good because it’s affordable and tasty.

Best British: Original Colman’s Tartare Sauce Imported From The UK

The Brits sure know how to make tartar sauce. This one tastes good and is a great pairing for dishes like deviled eggs, fish and chips, tuna salad, shrimp, clams and sandwiches.

Louisiana Fish Fry Tartar Sauce 

This tartar sauce has a nice kick of spice from the Louisiana-style Cajun spices. It’s slightly sweet, tangy and has a slightly smoky flavor.

It’s great for those who want a more complex flavor in their tartar sauce. I especially like it with fried fish and shrimp.

How to use tartar sauce

Tartar sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. It’s most commonly used as a dipping sauce for fried seafood, such as fish and chips, but it can also be used in many other dishes.

The most common tartar sauce pairings include:

• Fried fish and shrimp

• Clams

• Mussels

• Tartar sandwiches

• Potato wedges

• Onion rings

• Soft shell crab

• Crab cakes

• Calamari

It’s a great addition to salads like tuna or chicken salads and can be used to top sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more. It’s also a great dip for vegetables or even chips.

Try adding a dollop to gazpacho or even macaroni and cheese for an added layer of flavor. The possibilities are endless!

So, if you’re looking for a tasty and versatile condiment to have in your kitchen, tartar sauce is definitely the way to go!

Is tartar sauce cooked?

No, tartar sauce is not cooked. It’s a cold condiment that is usually served along with fried or baked seafood dishes such as fish and chips, crab cakes, or fried oysters.

Tartar sauce is usually made ahead of time and refrigerated until it’s ready to serve.

Is tartar sauce hard to make?

No, tartar sauce is actually quite simple to make and can be whipped up in just two minutes.

To make a classic version, just combine all of the main ingredients I just mentioned (mayo, pickles, lemon juice, capers, onion and herbs) then chill and serve.

There’s no cooking required to make tartar sauce so it’s beginner-friendly.