Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce

Vegan tartar sauce is a mix of vegan mayonnaise, pickle relish, lemon juice and chopped dill, stirred together and left to sit for a few minutes so the flavours combine. It takes about five minutes to make with no cooking involved, and works as a dip or condiment for vegan fish sticks, crab cakes, burgers or roasted vegetables.

Tartar sauce and its origins

Tartar sauce and anything “fishy” or fried is truly a match made in heaven. The creamy condiment is said to have originated in France after the creation of the other beloved culinary staple, the mayonnaise, around the middle of the 18th century. The mayonnaise giant Hellman’s is the first company to sell a version of what we now know as tartar sauce around 1920.

It is basically a rémoulade, which is a cold sauce with many variations with a mayonnaise or aioli base. Depending on where it is found it can have capers, gherkins, dill, parsley, chopped up hard-boiled eggs or even olives. In the United States, the basic recipe calls for mayonnaise, dill pickles, and plain dill.

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After some trial and error, we have come up with our own vegan, plant-based tartar sauce version with the deliciously tangy and creamy flavour that we all know and love.

This is a great vegan tartar sauce recipe because:

• It couldn’t be easier or simpler to make.
• It requires just a few simple, ready-to-find pantry ingredients.
• It is egg-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
• It can be made with easy homemade vegan mayonnaise, or if you’re pressed for time, your favourite store-bought one.

For the Ultimate Vegan Tartar sauce, you will need:

• Vegan mayonnaise of your choice. This is the basic ingredient for the tartar sauce. You can choose your favourite vegan mayonnaise from the grocery store, or you can make your own, which is just as yummy with easy-to-get ingredients, in just about 2 minutes.

I have made this tartar sauce using various brands of vegan mayonnaise, but to be honest, I prefer to make it with my homemade version.

• Or homemade vegan mayonnaise. For a delicious homemade vegan mayonnaise, you will need plant-based milk. Soy milk works best, but you could use another type of plant milk, oil, apple cider vinegar, and salt. Blend with an immersion blender, and voilà, you have your own vegan mayonnaise.
• Pickle relish. Again, you can use your favourite store, either a bought one or simply finely chop up some pickles. Sweet pickle relish can also be used if that is your preference.
• Lemon juice. This is optional, but it adds a zingy and fresh note to your tartar sauce. You can either add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or opt for bottled if you don’t have fresh lemons on hand.
• Dill. Last but not least, fresh chopped dill adds that special something to tartar sauce and brings the flavour profile to another level. I have tried the tartar sauce with dried dill, and it also works well.

Instructions for our Ultimate Vegan Tartar sauce

1. In a bowl, mix by hand the vegan mayonnaise, pickle relish, lemon juice and dill.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes for the flavours to meld, salt to taste if needed, and serve!
3. If preparing for later, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until needed.

It’s as simple as that. Next time you are craving tartar sauce, you can whip it up yourself in a few minutes without having to run to the store.

Vegan Tartar Sauce variations

Since this recipe is quick to make, here are some variations to try.

Classic Vegan Tartar Sauce

This classic vegan tartar sauce goes well with anything from vegan burgers to vegan fish cakes, vegan calamari. It could also serve as a salad dressing for pasta or potato salads.

To the basic recipe, I just add a dash of vegan Worcestershire sauce and finely chopped onion or shallots.

Mustard Tartar Sauce

Another variation for mustard lovers, combining two favourite condiments.

It adds a kick to the sauce and the combination with the maple syrup pairs well with French fries, thick-cut oven-baked wedges, vegan burgers, and any kind of wrap.

Parsley Tartar Sauce

A version with the addition of hot sauce, parsley, capers, and brine.

It will go with anything that you want to brighten up and give a healthy kick to.

The capers and the hot sauce give the sauce a distinct punch.

Dill and Garlic Tartar Sauce

Packed with subtle hints of garlic and dill, this version really takes the tartar sauce to another level.

Don’t forget to add the juice from the pickles.

Pair it with vegan burgers, vegan hot dogs and sausages, vegetables, or chips.

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Ingredients

Basic recipe:

• ½ cup vegan mayonnaise,
• Salt, pepper to taste,
• 1 Tbsp of dill relish,
• 1 tsp of chopped dill,

Classic Vegan Tartar Sauce

• 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 small onion or shallot, finely minced

Mustard Tartar Sauce

• 2 tsp mustard
• 1 tsp maple syrup

Parsley Tartar Sauce

• 2 tsp hot sauce
• 1 handful parsley, finely chopped
• 2 capers
• 1 tbsp. caper brine.

Dill and Garlic Tartar Sauce

• 3 small pickles, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. pickle juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 handful dill, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Prepare the basic recipe and add ingredients for the variations.
2. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl.
3. Mix well.
4. Serve or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FAQs

Is vegan tartar sauce egg-free?

Yes. This tartar sauce uses vegan mayonnaise instead of an egg-based mayonnaise, so the whole sauce is egg-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.

What do you serve with vegan tartar sauce?

It works well with vegan fish cakes, vegan calamari, vegan burgers, chips or wedges, and plain vegetables, or as a dressing for pasta or potato salad.

How do you store vegan tartar sauce?

Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge until you need it.

• How to make Vegan Tartar Sauce
• Plant-based Tartar Sauce
• Untimate Vegan Tartar Sauce
• Vegan Tartar Sauce ingredients
• Vegan Tartar Sauce variations