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Copycat Captain D’s Tartar Sauce

Copycat Captain D's Tartar Sauce - recipe card
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This creamy tartar sauce perfectly mimics the signature tangy, sweet, and slightly briny flavor of Captain D’s version. Made with a base of mayonnaise and sweet pickle relish, with a subtle hint of onion and lemon, it’s the ideal accompaniment for fried fish, shrimp, or crispy fries. The flavors meld beautifully after a short chill.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) full-fat mayonnaise (such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s)
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) sweet pickle relish, drained of excess liquid
  • 1 tbsp finely minced yellow onion (about 1/4 of a small onion)
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1/4 lemon)
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of full-fat mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish that has been lightly drained in a fine-mesh sieve to remove excess liquid. Pressing the relish gently with the back of a spoon ensures the sauce won’t become watery and maintains its intended thick, creamy consistency.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of finely minced yellow onion (mined to about the size of a grain of rice), 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. The lemon juice and Worcestershire provide the subtle tang and umami depth that distinguishes Captain D’s version from standard tartar sauces.
  3. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together until evenly incorporated, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure no pockets of seasoning remain.
  4. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if desired — add an extra pinch of salt for more savory punch, or an additional teaspoon of relish for extra sweetness. The sauce should be well-balanced: creamy, tangy, with a faint sweetness and a clean onion finish.
  5. Transfer the finished tartar sauce to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the onion to soften slightly, resulting in a more cohesive and authentic taste.
  6. For best results, chill the sauce for 2 hours or overnight. The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits. Stir gently before serving to reincorporate any separated liquid.
  7. Serve alongside crispy fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes, or as a dip for french fries. The sauce can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container.

Notes

Store the tartar sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Before each use, stir well to recombine any separation. Do not freeze, as the mayonnaise-based emulsion will break upon thawing. If the sauce thickens too much after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and stir in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: captain d's tartar sauce, copycat tartar sauce, seafood sauce, homemade tartar sauce, easy condiment, no-cook, quick, creamy, tangy, fried fish sauce

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/copycat-captain-ds-tartar-sauce/