Gordon Ramsay Tartar Sauce Recipe

This Gordon Ramsay Tartar Sauce is a tangy and creamy recipe, which is made with sharp capers and fresh dill. It’s a restaurant-quality sauce, ready in about 10 minutes, plus chilling time.

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Gordon Ramsay Tartar Sauce Ingredients

240g high-quality mayonnaise
15g Dijon mustard
15g capers, drained and finely chopped
30g cornichons or dill pickles, finely chopped
5g freshly squeezed lemon juice
5g white wine vinegar
1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)
15g fresh parsley, chopped
15g fresh dill, chopped (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Tartar Sauce

Prep the Fresh Ingredients: Take the time to finely chop the capers, cornichons (or pickles), shallot, fresh parsley, and fresh dill. A fine, consistent chop is key to the sauce’s texture.
Mix the Creamy Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and white wine vinegar until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Combine the Sauce: Gently fold the finely chopped capers, pickles, shallots, and fresh herbs into the mayonnaise base.
Season and Chill: Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the tartar sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Recipe Tips

Why use fresh lemon juice? Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for this sauce. The bright, clean acidity is essential and cannot be replicated by bottled juice, which can have a dull or bitter aftertaste.
Why does the chop size matter? Finely dicing all the solid ingredients (capers, pickles, shallots, herbs) is crucial for a luxurious, restaurant-quality texture. Large, clumsy chunks will make the sauce feel amateurish.
Why do I have to chill the sauce? Don’t skip the chilling time. Resting the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes is the most important step for flavor. It allows all the individual sharp, briny, and fresh flavors to meld together into a cohesive and delicious sauce.
What kind of pickles are best? Stick to sharp, briny pickles like cornichons or dill pickles. Do not use sweet relish, as its sweetness will disrupt the tangy, savory balance that makes this sauce so good.

What To Serve With Tartar Sauce

This bright, tangy sauce is the perfect accompaniment for all kinds of seafood.

Classic fish and chips
Fried calamari or shrimp
Crab cakes or fish cakes
On a fish sandwich or with fish tacos

How To Store Tartar Sauce

Refrigerate: Store the tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. The flavor often gets even better the next day.

Tartar Sauce Nutrition Facts

Calories: 211kcal
Protein: 1g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Sodium: 350mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s recommended. Making it at least a few hours or even a day ahead will result in a much more flavorful sauce.

How can I make the sauce thinner or thicker?

This sauce is naturally thick. If you prefer a thinner consistency for drizzling, you can whisk in a tiny bit more lemon juice or a splash of water until it reaches your desired texture.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

It is highly recommended to use fresh parsley and dill for this recipe. Their bright, vibrant flavor is a key component. Dried herbs will not provide the same fresh, zesty taste.

Try More Recipes:

Gordon Ramsay Madeira Sauce Recipe
Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Apple Sauce Recipe