This is a recipe that has been around since I was a girl. I believe my Mom discovered it in a magazine decades ago simply labeled “Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce”. We held onto this gem, with a cutout taped to a recipe card in our kitchen drawer for years. Its a classic tasting tartar sauce, perfect for any seafood dishes.
What you Need to Make Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce:
Ready to accompany a fish and chips dinner or maybe some crab cakes, this old fashioned tartar sauce will bring all the tangy goodness you expect. Simple to make, as long as you have a couple key ingredients like capers and dill pickles!
If you’re looking for another great (and easier) recipe, see my Easiest Tartar Sauce here!
Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce Ingredients
- Real mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Dill pickle juice
- Lemon juice
- Dried dill
- Minced dill pickle
- Minced capers
How to Make Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced dill pickle, lemon juice, dill pickle juice, dried dill, and minced capers.
- Stir the ingredients until well blended. Use a spatula, scraping the sides of the bowl and folding together.
- Taste the tartar sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- You can add more lemon juice for extra zing or capers for a briny kick.
- Transfer and Store:
- Transfer the tartar sauce to an airtight container like a glass jar or tupperware.
- Chill the sauce in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to develop.
- Serve alongside your favorite seafood dishes for a classic burst of flavor. Enjoy!
You may also like our Best Southern Remoulade Sauce recipe here.
Why You’ll Love Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce
- It’s incredibly easy to make and offers a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and briny notes.
- The addition of Dijon mustard and capers adds important depth to the flavor profile.
- Whether you’re enjoying fried fish, shrimp or crab cakes, this tartar sauce is the perfect complement.
- Recreate the taste of the good old days and elevate your seafood experience with this homemade gem.
Cooking Tips and Variations
Cooking Tips
- For a creamier consistency, blend the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Customize the tartar sauce by adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley, chives, or tarragon.
- Adjust the tanginess by varying the amount of lemon juice or Dijon mustard to suit your taste.
- Make a larger batch to have Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce on hand for multiple meals.
- This sauce also goes well with non-seafood dishes like chicken tenders, sandwiches and as a dipping sauce for fries. Yum!
Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce
I believe my Mom discovered it in a magazine decades ago simply labeled "Old Fashioned Tartar Sauce"
Servings: 15
Ingredients
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1/3 cup minced dill pickle
- 1 tablespoon minced capers
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced dill pickle, lemon juice, dill pickle juice, dried dill, and minced capers.
- Stir the ingredients until well blended. Use a spatula, scraping the sides of the bowl and folding together.
- Taste the tartar sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- You can add more lemon juice for extra zing or capers for a briny kick.
Transfer and Store:
- Transfer the tartar sauce to an airtight container like a glass jar or tupperware.
- Chill the sauce in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to develop.
- Serve alongside your favorite seafood dishes for a classic burst of flavor. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 256mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 38IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.2mg
Tried our recipe?We would love to know how it was!
