Vegan Tartar Sauce is the recipe you never knew you needed until now!
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.
Though tartar sauce is often eaten with fried fish, you can use it for so much more—hence why it would be great to have a vegan option! It goes great with fries, as a dip for crudités, slathered on a veggie burger, or even mixed into potato salad. It’s just nice to have plant-based options when you have a craving for this creamy, tangy sauce.
I remember when (yes, I’m about to date myself) there were only two or three mayonnaise brands available at the store. There certainly was nothing called “vegan mayo” back then. Times have certainly changed. Some 23 years ago, I started a vegan journey due to a health issue. There were so few vegan products in the stores at the time, so I did a lot of cooking from scratch. Today, the options are nearly limitless and continue to grow. The same can be said about gluten-free, keto, Paleo, and vegetarian options. No matter what diet you follow, there’s something out there to simplify your life.
Is This Vegan Tartar Sauce Healthy?
Vegan tartar sauce is often considered a healthier alternative to store-bought, ready-made tartar sauce because it contains fewer additives and preservatives. The healthiest way to make it is probably with a plant-based, dairy-free plain yogurt rather than mayo due to the added oil, sweeteners, and calories many vegan mayonnaise brands contain. But it’s really up to you and your dietary preferences.
While you need to read the labels on dairy-free yogurts to avoid added sugar, there are usually a few options at the grocery store. Since yogurt also contains gut-healthy probiotics, calcium, and protein, it’s a great way to up the nutritional content of this recipe.
Don’t Skip The Fridge
Many sauces, dressings, and dip recipes (including this one) recommend refrigerating the final product for a while before you consume it. There’s a reason for that. This is to let the flavors meld or come together.
Each ingredient in this tartar sauce has a unique, individual flavor profile. But you don’t want to taste each ingredient by itself; you want to experience them combined, with those flavors and aromas developing into more seasoned, complex notes. That’s what happens in the fridge and why it’s so key to make sure you give your tartar sauce time to chill. It needs at least half an hour of chilling, but will taste even better the next day!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
This tartar sauce stays fresh for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can make it ahead and enjoy it all week long on a variety of tasty dishes. Give it a good stir each time you open it, as the ingredients may separate a bit in storage.
Serving Suggestions
Vegan tartar sauce may seem strange at first, since fish is not vegan. However, you can enjoy this sauce as a tasty dressing, dip, or topping for so many other things. It’s a delicious dip for Crispy And Healthy Baked Tofu. Try it with these vegan buffalo patties or cauliflower fritters, and be prepared to fall in love with the bold flavors.
You don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy this dairy-free tartar sauce, however! It is a lighter, more wholesome 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!
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise or dairy-free yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons shallots minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine vegan mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped dill pickles, chopped fresh dill, minced shallots, lemon juice, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Stir the mixture well and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice according to taste.
- Refrigerate the tartar sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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