One of my all-time favorite condiments. I eat this on practically everything…burgers, fries, fish, waffles. J/K on the waffles but now that I think about it I might try it.

I’m very particular about my tartar sauce. It needs to taste almost exactly like the tartar sauce that you get at Frisch’s Big Boy. Not Bob’s Big Boy, or any of the ones that serve Russian dressing on their Big Boy’s (NOT a Big Boy by the way. š ) In other words, no sweetness. I do not like it with sweet pickles. Of course that’s a matter of taste! But that’s how we prefer it.

The seasonings are critical as well. Slightly less than 1/4 cup finely (very very finely) diced onion, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/8th tsp MSG (also called Accent if you buy it at the store). I know there’s a lot of hullaballoo about MSG sensitivity, but if you research it, it’s really found in quite a bit of normal commercially produced foods (Ranch Dressing, Doritos, etc. etc) You can omit it, but it definitely tastes better with. Onion powder and MSG really amp up the Umami.

Mix with just over a cup of mayonnaise and just under 1/2 cup of dill pickle relish. If you want it less runny I suppose you could strain out the juice but some of the flavor is going to go with it.

Mix and salt to taste (between 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon typically does it for me).

Put in a jar. Lick the spoon. If you’re wondering about the funky measurements, it’s partially to fit in a quart jar and partially to suit taste. I have made this for years with no set measurements, just an add and a tweak. I know I like mine very pickle-y, but if you don’t back off on that some. Same with the onion power, salt and cayenne. I use these lids for Mason jars when I’m using them for sauces, condiments and salad dressings that don’t need to be water-bath canned. They can be re-used. Love them. Using a Mason jar funnel is super convenient as well.

Serve on hamburgers (SO GOOD)

And with fried fish and duck fat fries!!!
IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE YOU WILL ALSO LIKEā¦
Tangy Tartar sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp MSG or Accent
- 1/4 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4 cup very finely diced onion just shy 1/4 cup
- 1/2 cup dill pickle relish just shy 1/2 cup
- 1 cup mayonnaise just over 1 cup
Instructions
- Combine and add to quart jar. The measurements are not exact so as to fit into a quart, and obviously this it to taste as well. I like it really tangy!
[…] And tartar sauce. […]