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6 Of The Best Substitutes For Tartar Sauce

Maria Foster
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by Maria Foster

Tartar sauce is a condiment that everyone should have in their kitchen. It is incredibly versatile, and you can use it in so many dishes, you don’t have to stick to just fish!

Substitutes For Tartar Sauce

Having tartar sauce in your kitchen is always a good idea, but there will come a time when you need it, but you don’t have it.

You might be making a dish for someone who can’t eat it too, and finding a good substitute is definitely a challenge if you don’t know where to look. 

But don’t worry! We are here to help you. In this article, we have put together a list of 6 of the best substitutes for tatar sauce that you should definitely consider trying for yourself.

Each of these substitutes is perfect to use when you can’t get hold of the real thing, and they each offer something unique and different when you use them in your dishes. 

Tartar sauce might seem like it’s too unique to have any good substitutes, but after you are done reading here you will see that there are plenty of great substitutes out there.

The six we have included in this list are easily the best, and they will replicate the consistency and in some cases, the flavor perfectly. 

These substitutes are absolutely fantastic when you can’t get hold of the real thing and they are also great just on those days when you want something a little bit different. 

Below, you can find out everything you need to know about each of the six substitutes. So read on to find out more about each of them and work out which one is the best substitute for you to use. 

SubstituteProteinFiberCalories
Sriracha Mayo Sauce0.2g0.2g79 kcals
Thousand Island Dressing0g0g114 kcals
Tzatziki Sauce5.35g0.2g92 kcals
Remoulade Sauce 0.4g0g83 kcals
Garlic Aioli0g0g90 kcals
Hummus3.33g3.30g233 kcals

What Is Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce is a type of condiment that is typically served alongside fish dishes. It is made from ingredients such as mayonnaise, cucumber pickles, capers, and finely diced onions.

Tartar sauce actually originates from France, but the earliest known written recipe for Tartar sauce was actually published in the American version of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1895. 

It is incredibly popular amongst the general public, and it is still served alongside fish dishes all over the world.

You can easily buy it in grocery stores and in most other places that sells food, but it’s quite common and easy to make it at home for yourself too. 

It is known for its unique flavor, and it can be hard to replicate if you don’t know what the main ingredients are, but once you do, it’s quite easy to make for yourself. 

Nutritional Value Of Tartar Sauce

CaloriesProteinFatCarbohydratesSugar
63 kcals0.3g5g4g1.2g

Tartar Sauce Substitutes

1. Sriracha Mayo Sauce

The first substitute on our list is Sriracha Mayo Sauce. This is a fantastic alternative to tartar sauce, especially if you prefer your sauces on the spicier side.

It is actually made out of Sriracha hot sauce and mayonnaise, so you can easily make this at home for yourself. 

Sriracha Mayo Sauce can work as a condiment for any dish, but it is especially great when it comes to seafood dishes. This is why it is such a fantastic alternative to tartar sauce, and in some cases, you might even find that you prefer it! 

If you want to make Sriracha Mayo Sauce for yourself, all you have to do is mix equal parts of Sriracha hot sauce and mayonnaise together in a small bowl or cup.

It really is that simple and easy! Sriracha Mayo Sause is incredibly versatile as well, so you can even mix in some other ingredients to experiment with the flavor profile. 

2. Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island Dressing is actually one of the most common substitutes for Tartar sauce, and you will find that most people turn straight to this condiment before anything else. 

This condiment is made using a ketchup base, and then it is usually made up of other ingredients, some of which include horseradish, pickles, relish, chives, and onion.

It has a delicious flavor that is very distinct, and like the other sauces on this list, it pairs incredibly well with seafood. 

Like Sriracha Mayo, you can also make your own Thousand Island Dressing at home. All you need is mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, seasonings, and other related ingredients.

Thousand Island Dressing can be made in a few different ways, so you never have to have it the same way twice! 

Lots of people actually prefer Thousand Island Dressing to Tartar sauce, and this is because it is quite lively in its flavor. 

3. Tzatziki Sauce

Made using cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes dill or mint, Tzatziki is a type of traditional Greek sauce and it is a popular alternative to use when you cant get your hands on Tartar sauce. 

It’s not quite an exact replacement, and it’s not as close in flavor as some of the other options on this list, but it’s a great alternative to Tartar sauce because it has a delicious creaminess and consistency that pairs incredibly well with fish-based dishes. 

There are no capers and dill pickles in this recipe though, so expect the flavor to be a lot milder than actual tartar sauce, but for some people, this will be a welcome change! 

Like most of the other sauces on this list, you can make Tzatziki sauce at home.

All you need to make your own batch is thick Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, some salt and pepper, and fresh parsley or chopped dill leaves.

It is an incredibly refreshing sauce that you will absolutely love, and you will definitely find yourself making it again and again. 

4. Remoulade Sauce

Remoulade Sauce is similar to Tartar sauce in both texture and color, but when you try it for the first time, you will see that it tastes quite a bit different.

It is primarily made using mustard, pickles, capers, and herbs, so you can expect a strong, but herby taste when you try it for yourself. 

Remoulade Sauce has become an incredibly popular accompaniment to seafood dishes over the years, and some people will opt to have it instead of Tartar sauce because it offers something a bit different while still complimenting your meal. 

To make the most out of this condiment, the best kinds of dishes to eat it with include grilled or fried seafood! You can eat it with any seafood really, but these two styles are easily the best. 

If you are looking for something that is a little different from Tartar sauce but is still somewhere in the same ballpark, Remoulade Sauce is a fantastic choice for you to try. 

5. Garlic Aioli

Made from mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice or vinegar, Garlic Aioli is a fantastic substitute for Tartar sauce.

This sauce is seasoned with both salt and pepper to give it an extra depth of flavor and it will really enhance whatever dish you are eating. 

You can buy Garlic Aioli in many grocery stores, but it is so incredibly easy to make at home. All you need to do is gather all the ingredients listed above and throw them into a blender or food processor. 

For those of you who aren’t a big fan of garlic, you can adjust how much is in the sauce. Remember, the more garlic you use, the stronger the flavor will be! 

Like Remoulade Sauce, Garlic Aioli is especially great when combined and served alongside fried and grilled fish, but you can really enjoy it with whatever dish you plan on making.

It also works incredibly well as a dip for all potato-based dishes (including fries!) and it’s even great for dipping vegetables in too. 

It is a lot more garlicky in taste than Tartar sauce, but it is a fantastic substitute to use when you can’t find the real thing, or you just want something a little different. 

6. Hummus

Hummus might seem like a strange substitute for Tartar sauce, but you will actually be surprised how well it works when you can’t get hold of the real thing! 

It is made using ingredients such as chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, olive oil, and salt, and you can swap out these ingredients to suit your taste.

It is an incredibly versatile condiment that works with practically any food you pair it with. 

What makes hummus even better is that it is usually vegan-friendly, but if it’s not, it’s always vegetarian-friendly, so you can serve it to more people.

If you are having a dinner party or hosting anyone with specific dietary needs, this is a great substitute to use. 

Fried Fish With Tartar Sauce

Fried fish is an incredibly popular dish and it is quite easy to make at home for yourself.

This recipe also includes tartar sauce in the fished dish, which really adds a whole new depth of flavor that you will absolutely love. 

Fried Oysters & Tartar Sauce

Fried oysters are another popular dish that can be enjoyed with tartar sauce, and this recipe will definitely become one of your favorites.

The oysters are fried in a delicious breadcrumb batter, and when you dip them in the tartar sauce for the first time, you will absolutely love how good it tastes! 

Fish Fingers, Chips & Tartar Sauce

Fish fingers & chips is a classic British dish that consists of fried fish “fingers” and delicious chunky fries.

When you add in the tartar sauce it really takes this dish to the next level. This is one of those recipes that the whole family will enjoy. 

Conclusion

So there you have it! 5 of the best substitutes for tartar sauce.

Of course, these substitutes will never compare to the real thing, but they are absolutely fantastic options to use when you don’t have any other options. 

Each of these substitute sauces is great to use if you don’t have the real thing, but they also offer you a fantastic alternative if you just want something a little different.

Tartar sauce is always great with any fish-based dish, but these substitutes will make the whole experience a bit different. 

Next time you find yourself in a position where you can’t use tartar sauce, give some of these alternative substitutes a try.

Each of them has something unique to offer and you won’t be disappointed with how much flavor they add to your meal! 

About Maria Foster
Maria Foster
Maria Foster is a mother of 3 and she and her husband of 23 years share their home with 2 faithful dogs. Besides being CEO of the household and active in her community, Maria is the lead contributor to Food Champs and loves to try new food ideas and kitchen accessories to make easier and more delicious meals.
Maria Foster
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