Name: Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Vegenaise (or any vegan mayonnaise); 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon pickle juice; 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (to taste); 2-4 tablespoons dill pickles, small dice; 1 tablespoon shallots, minced; 2-3 teaspoons capers, minced; freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt (to taste); 1-2 tablespoons parsley/dill, chopped; 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish sauce; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon chives, chopped

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Once you learn how to make this easy vegan tartar sauce recipe, you'll never buy it at the store store again. It's creamy and bright thanks to mayo, mustard, pickle juice and lemons; and ready in only 5 minutes! Delicious with vegan fish sticks and vegan fish tacos, it elevates baked veggies, sandwiches, and burgers too.

Bowl of tartar sauce on tray of breaded cauliflower wings.

Just like most vegan sauces and condiments, making your own vegan tartar sauce is super quick and easy and it's way better than store bought varieties.

Here's more incredible sauces and dips that are simple to make at home: vegan honey mustard sauce, lemon vinaigrette, sweet and spicy tahini, vegan tzatziki.

Ingredients for Dairy-free Tartar Sauce

This plant-based tartar sauce uses vegan mayonnaise (no eggs) and dijon mustard to make the creamy base.

Bowls of ingredients for vegan tartar sauce like vegan mayo, mustard and pickles.

These are the other key ingredients you'll need:

Vegan Mayo: I use Vegenaise (find it in the refrigerated aisle), but any vegan mayo will work.

Dijon Mustard: adds a tangy depth of flavor.

Dill Pickles & Capers: add a salty, briny flavor.

Lemon Juice: (fresh is best) for brightness to lighten the tartar sauce and add tanginess.

Fresh Herbs: chopped dill and parsley add freshness and enhance the sauce flavors.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

This vegan tartar sauce is super versatile, here's a few ideas for customizing ingredients to suit your personal preference (or what you have on hand):

Mix up the pickles: dill pickles are classic, but gherkin pickles, bread and butter pickles or sweet relish are good subs. They add all the crunch with a hint of sweetness.

Go garlicky: fresh (minced) garlic is optional (but our family loves it).

Make it lighter: sub a combination of half vegan sour cream and half vegan mayo.

Play with the herbs: chopped chives are a delicious flavor complement to tartar sauce.

Spice it up: horseradish adds a potent punch of spicy flavor (freshly grated or prepared horseradish).

Add some heat: a tablespoon (or two) of sriracha adds a nice kick of heat to this tartar sauce.

How to Make 5 Minute Tartar Sauce

Are you ready to get started? Let's do it . . .

Chop the pickles, shallots, garlic, herbs.
Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl or jar.
Chill - store in the fridge until ready to use. The tartar sauce will thicken up as it chills.

That's it!

How to Serve Vegan Tartar Sauce

Other than seafood and vegan fish tacos, here are a few ways to enjoy homemade tartar sauce:

Crispy baked or fried appetizers: crispy cauliflower wings, onion rings, gluten-free fried pickles or cauliflower meatballs are perfect for dipping in tartar sauce.

Grilled or roasted veggies: jazz up your roasted cauliflower, carrots, crispy Brussels sprouts or corn on the cob with a drizzle of homemade tartar sauce.

Potatoes: serve with crispy smashed potatoes, baked potatoes or french fries instead of sour cream.

On sandwiches, burgers or wraps: slather it on veggie sandwiches, vegan burgers or tofu wraps instead of hummus, guac or mayonnaise.

Bowl of vegan tartar sauce topped with chopped parsley and capers.

More Vegan Sauces

If you love this vegan sauce, here's a few more I think you'll enjoy:

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Vegan tartar sauce on a plate of fried cauliflower.

Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce Recipe

This homemade vegan tartar sauce condiment is easy to make in 5 minutes! It's the best! Tastes just like the original made with Vegenaise, Dijon mustard, pickles, capers, and lemon juice. No eggs, no dairy, gluten-free too!

Author : Tracy Halasz

Servings: servings

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

INGREDIENTS

½ cup Vegenaise (or any vegan mayonnaise)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon pickle juice
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (to taste)
2-4 tablespoons dill pickles, small dice
1 tablespoon shallots, minced
2-3 teaspoons capers, minced
freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt (to taste)
1-2 tablespoons parsley/dill, chopped

Optional Add Ins

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chives, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl whisk together the vegan mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, and lemon juice.
Add the chopped dill pickles, shallots, and capers to the mayo. Stir to combine.
Taste and correct seasoning adding salt and pepper, fresh chopped herbs, and horseradish if you want a spicy kick.
Chill in fridge until ready to use.

NOTES

Too acidic?: If the tartar sauce is too acidic, add ¼ teaspoon maple syrup.

Too rich?: If the tartar sauce is too rich, add more pickle juice or lemon juice.

Garlic: I add a small clove of garlic for extra flavor and because we LOVE garlic!

Storing: Store any leftover tartar sauce in a covered jar or container for up to 4 days.

Freezing: I don't recommend freezing vegan tartar sauce.

This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

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Comments

5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce