Vegan Tartar Sauce

Vegan Tartar Sauce is the recipe you never knew you needed until now!

Table of Contents

I love grocery shopping and can easily get lost for an hour or two, even if I only went in for one item. The magic happens when I browse the aisles, looking for new products and reading labels. That’s what got me thinking about this recipe for vegan tartar sauce.

I remember when (yes, I’m about to date myself) there were only two or three mayonnaise brands. My family’s favorite brand was called by one name on one side of the country and a different name on the other. That was confusing when I was a kid. There certainly was nothing called “vegan mayo” back then.

Times have certainly changed. Twenty-three years ago, I embarked on a gluten-free journey due to a family member’s health issues. There were so few products in the stores then, so I did a lot of baking. Today, the options are limitless and continue to grow. The same can be said about vegan, keto, paleo, and vegetarian options. No matter what diet you follow, there’s something out there to simplify your life.

I mention this because this recipe requires either vegan mayonnaise or dairy-free yogurt. A recent trip to the grocery store showed that you have many options.

Is Vegan Tartar Sauce Healthy?

Vegan tartar sauce is often considered a healthier alternative to store-bought, premade tartar sauce because it contains fewer chemicals. The healthiest way to make it is probably with a plant-based, dairy-free plain yogurt rather than mayo due to the added oil and sweeteners many vegan mayonnaise brands contain.

While you need to read the labels on dairy-free yogurts to avoid added sugar, the options are significantly better. Since these products also contain gut-healthy probiotics, I highly recommend using them in this recipe.

What Does Letting The Flavors Meld Mean?

Many recipes recommend refrigerating or letting ingredients sit before proceeding with further directions or consuming them. This is to let the flavors meld or come together. Each ingredient has a unique flavor profile. Combined, their tastes and aromas interact, mingling and developing more seasoned notes.

The individual flavors become less pronounced as the dish mellows, enhances, or becomes more rounded through the interaction. Letting the flavors meld is vital in many recipes, such as this vegan tartar sauce. It’s also why many soups, stews, and sauces taste better on the second day.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup vegan mayonnaise or dairy-free yogurt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Combine all ingredients and adjust seasoning.

Chill

Refrigerate to blend flavors.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

This tartar sauce stays fresh for up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can make it ahead and enjoy it all week on a variety of tasty dishes. I don’t recommend freezing, and since it’s so quick and easy to make, you can always have a fresh batch on hand.

What Other Ingredients Can I Mix Into This Sauce?

Capers can take vegan tartar sauce to an entirely new taste level. You can also substitute dried dill for fresh. I recommend mixing in ½ tablespoon and tasting it before adding more. Increase the amount a little at a time to get the flavor profile you like. Remember that the flavor will strengthen as it sits in the fridge.

How Can I Make This Spicy?

Add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper to bring the heat. You can also substitute spicy brown mustard for the Dijon.

Serving Suggestions

Vegan tartar sauce may seem strange at first since fish is not vegan. However, you can enjoy this sauce as a tasty salad dressing, a dip for veggies, fries, chips, and onion rings, or with Crispy Baked Tofu. Try it with these Vegan Buffalo Patties or Cauliflower Fritters and be prepared to experience a fantastic taste sensation.

You don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy this dairy-free tartar sauce. It is a better option for Fish Cakes or Fish and Chips than store-bought varieties. If you want to make a non-vegan version, check out this Tartar Sauce recipe and enjoy!