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The Recipe · No.830 · Tartar Sauce

Tartar Sauce, and where to source it

Tartar Sauce — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Tartar Sauce American 5best2buy.com

Squeeze the chopped pickles and capers dry before they go in. Their brine thins the mayo and breaks the emulsion, so the sauce runs off the fish; blotted dry, it stays thick and clings.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep10 min
Cook0 min
Makes1 cup
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-freeDairy-free
Contains  eggs
Make it vegan: a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 1 cup
Our ratio, your call. The amounts below are a tested starting point — a version, not the one and only. Anything tagged to taste is the knob you turn: start there, then make it yours.
Mayonnaise
The rich, stable base. A real egg mayo is best.
1 cuprecommended
Source it →
Dill pickles
Minced fine for sour crunch; squeezed dry first. A crisp deli pickle is best.
3 tbsprecommended
Source it →
Capers
Chopped for a briny, salty punch; blotted dry. Good brined capers.
1 tbsprecommended
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Lemon
A little juice to cut the fat. A fresh lemon is best.
1 tsprecommended
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Dill
A little fresh dill to round it out. Bought local.
1 tsprecommended
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The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
No-cook
The Method
  1. MinceChop the pickles and capers fine.
  2. Dry themWrap them in a towel and squeeze out the brine.
  3. Mix the baseStir the lemon, dill, and salt into the mayo.
  4. Fold and chillFold in the pickles and capers and chill 30 min.
The Toolkit

Mixing bowl · Chef's knife · Spoon

Straight Answers
Can you freeze Tartar Sauce? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Tartar Sauce ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it keeps in the fridge for several days; stir or shake it before serving.

Is Tartar Sauce gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Tartar Sauce vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has egg. Make it vegan: a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.830

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