The Best Vegan Tartar Sauce Recipe (Super Easy!)

Creamy, tangy and refreshing homemade vegan tartar sauce (aka tartare sauce) packed with fresh dill. Ideal for vegan fish recipes!

Imagine a vegan tartar sauce so creamy and tangy, it makes your vegan fish and chips taste like you’ve just stepped off the boat in Whitby. This vegan tartar sauce is packed with classic flavour, fresh dill, and a tangy twist from dill pickles, making it the perfect companion for all your vegan seafood recipes. It's got that dreamy, creamy texture you'd expect from a traditional tartar sauce but with a plant-based twist that’ll have you dipping everything in sight!

Tartar sauce is the unsung hero of any good fish and chips recipe. Without it, you’re just eating chips and something fish-shaped. It’s the tartar sauce that brings it all together, helping to maintain that illusion of traditional seafood dishes. A good tartar sauce isn’t just a condiment; it’s a game-changer. So, let's dive into why this vegan tartar sauce is an absolute must-have for your next vegan fish and chips night.

Jump to:

• What is Tartar Sauce?
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• Ingredient Substitutions
• Serving Suggestions for Tartar Sauce
• The Best Vegan Mayonnaise for Tartar Sauce
• Storage Suggestions
• Vegan Tartar Sauce FAQs
• Vegan Tartar Sauce

What is Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce, or tartare sauce as we say in the UK, is a mayonnaise-based sauce traditionally served with seafood. It’s known for its creamy base and tangy flavour, often enhanced by pickles, capers, and fresh herbs.

This classic condiment is a staple for anyone who loves that classic tartar sauce flavour with their crispy fries and vegan seafood recipes. This, in my opinion, is one of the most refreshing vegan tartar sauce recipes out there because it uses plenty of fresh ingredients and herbs, rather than dried herbs. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

To whip up your own vegan tartar sauce, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients. As usual, the full recipe is listed at the bottom of the page in the recipe card, so scroll down if you’re in a hurry!

• Vegan mayonnaise (I recommend my vegan kewpie mayo)
• Silken tofu (or sub for vegan yoghurt)
• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice (or sub for apple cider vinegar)
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cornichons (aka dill pickles)
• Capers
• Fresh dill (or dried dill)
• Fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper

Ingredient Substitutions

Sometimes, you might not have all the ingredients on hand, but don't worry! Here are some easy substitutions that work just as well:

• Silken Tofu: Substitute with non-dairy yogurt to maintain that creamy texture.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Apple cider vinegar is a great alternative that adds a lovely tang.
• Dijon Mustard: Yellow or wholegrain mustard can be used in place of Dijon.
• Cornichons: Swap for a tablespoon or two of sweet pickle relish or dill relish!

Making Vegan Tzatziki is a breeze. The full recipe is at the bottom of the page, but here’s a simple breakdown of the steps involved.

Serving Suggestions for Tartar Sauce

This homemade vegan tartar sauce isn’t just for vegan fish recipes. It’s versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes:

• Veggie Burgers: Add a dollop to your vegan burger for an extra zing.
• Vegan Onion Rings: Dip those crispy rings into this tangy goodness.
• Vegan Scallops: A perfect match for your plant-based seafood delights.
• Tofu Nuggets or Vegan fish Sticks: Transform your nuggets or fish sticks (aka fish fingers) with this creamy condiment.
• Crispy Fries: A classic combination that never fails - french fries and delicious vegan tartar sauce.
• Vegan Crab Cakes: Thanks for the reminder! I need to write a recipe for these!

The Best Vegan Mayonnaise for Tartar Sauce

Since vegan mayonnaise is the main ingredient here, it’s worth getting it right. Here are three options for the best type of mayo for this recipe:

• Vegan Kewpie Mayo: I personally swear by my vegan kewpie mayo recipe, which adds a delicious umami kick. Also making your own vegan mayo gives you extra street cred. 
• Hellmann’s: My go-to for store-bought vegan mayo. It's silky smooth and super creamy.
• Heinz: Another simple classic that tastes just like the original.
• Follow Your Heart: A leader in vegan alternatives, and this mayo is a winner too!

Storage Suggestions

Once you’ve made your vegan tartar sauce, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about a week, but trust me, it’s so good it probably won’t last that long!

Vegan Tartar Sauce FAQs

This vegan tartar sauce is bound to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s simple, delicious, and brings a classic flavour to your plant-based dishes. Don’t forget to take pictures of your creations and tag @schoolnightvegan on social media. We’d love to see how you’re enjoying your vegan tartar sauce!

For more delicious vegan recipes, check out my posts on vegan ranch dressing, my vegan fish tacos (also great with vegan tartar sauce), and my vegan scallop pasta, made with oyster mushrooms!