This cajun tartar sauce recipe is creamy, packs a ton of flavor and comes together in just a few minutes. It has just enough kick to tingle your tastebuds and pairs wonderfully with your favorite seafood dish.
As a Louisiana native, it should come as no surprise that I have had my fair share of seafood. Crawfish, catfish, shrimp, crab you name it! While dining at some of my favorite seafood restaurants around town, I am always asked if I want any cocktail or tartar sauce with my meal and I always *practically yell* tartar sauce please! I really love when it’s an in house tartar sauce that’s made fresh at the restaurant. This inspired me to create my own version to enjoy at home.
Why You Will Love It
- Better than store bought
- Easy to make
- Delicious on just about anything
This is one of those recipes that you will turn to instead of opting for a store bought version. This cajun creamy tartar sauce pairs so well with fried fish, shrimp and crab cakes …even salmon.. and is super easy to make at home. The flavors build upon each other beautifully and has just enough heat to satisfy the spice cravers in your family. The next time it’s seafood night at home, pull out this recipe and whip up the best homemade tartar sauce you’ve ever had.
What you will need to make it
- Mayonnaise – Make sure you go with the good stuff here (we use and love Blue Plate).
- Dill pickle relish – The recipe calls for dill pickle relish, not sweet pickle relish. Be sure to grab the right one when making this tartar sauce. Dill is an important part of the base flavor profile of the tartar sauce.
- Minced Onion – I used sweet onion because it is my favorite but yellow and red onion would work in this recipe as well.
- Fresh chopped dill – Provides a distinct flavor and herby aromatics.
- Fresh chopped parsley – Helps to highlight the other flavors in the sauce.
- Lemon juice – Balances everything and adds zing.
- Cajun Seasoning – The star of the show!
- Garlic Powder – I mean everything is better with garlic.
- Hot sauce – Adds a spicy kick and highlights the cajun flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce – One of my favorite condiments that ties everything together.
Substitutions and swap outs
There are dried versions of both dill and parsley. You can use the dried versions if you prefer to or if you only have those available on hand. Your tartar sauce will be just as delicious if you need to swap these out!
If you do not have fresh lemons on hand, bottled lemon juice in the place of fresh juice works just fine.
Step by step process for making homemade tartar sauce
Making this tartar sauce is as simple as adding all ingredients to a bowl and mixing well until creamy.
Top tips for homemade tartar sauce
- This tartar sauce will be delicious right after mixing the ingredients together, however, for the ultimate flavor experience it is recommended that you cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour before serving with your favorite seafood. This gives the ingredients and flavors some time to interfuse and balance together.
- A note on cajun seasoning: Start with the recommended amount of cajun seasoning and adjust to taste. You can add more for a more intense flavor.
FAQs
This homemade tartar sauce recipe will stay fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep it covered.
It is not recommended to freeze tartar sauce. The emulsified ingredients will separate and become watery when thawed.
Cajun Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
- 2 tbsp chopped sweet onion
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cajun seasoning
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
I will try this one soon, looks like a great option for home made sauce.