An easy recipe for tartare sauce, with a clever twist to make it healthier and only 4 ingredients. Ideal to pair with chips. Vegetarian.
Ed and I are generally creatures of habit. Â Every two or three weeks, come lunchtime, we’ll deem it a fish & chips day and Ed will whizz off on his Micro scooter to Bailey’s in Fulham (widely acknowledged for the excellence of their fish and chips), and come back with haddock and chips. Whilst he has gone I’ll lay the table, warm the plates and assemble all manner of condiments – after all fish & chips is mainly about the dips and sauces isn’t it?
Fish and chips on a Friday is such a British tradition, it was served every friday at school and then at university. Once a week is far too much for us these days, but we do like our fish and chips when we have it.
Tartare (or tartar in North America) sauce is a vital addition to our fish & chips, and I whip up a batch of sauce fresh every time. Â If you have leftovers pour them over some grated carrot and cabbage for a quick and easy ‘slaw.
I discovered some years ago that you can thin mayonnaise down with yoghurt, to a ratio of about 1:2 without that much impact on the flavour but at the same time significantly reduces the calories. It is trick that I often use, you will find it in my healthy potato salad and my healthy Coronation chicken Fewer calories equates to more chips surely?
An easy recipe for tartare sauce, with a clever twist to make it healthier, and only 4 ingredients. Ideal to pair with fish and chips. Vegetarian.
- 1 tbs mayonnaise
- 2 tbs low fat plain yoghurt preferably Greek or thick
- 1 tbs capers – drained and chopped
- 1 tbs gerkins – drained and chopped
- A few drops of the gerkin or caper vinegar
- Salt & Pepper to taste
-
Simply mix all the ingredients together, season to taste.
- This recipe is 2 Weight Watchers Smart Points
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If you want a fantastic chip recipe, try Kavey’s recipe for Heston’s triple cooked chips!
What is your favourite dip for chips?  You might also like my homemade kebab shop chilli sauce – also ideal for chip dipping.
Elizabeth
Mmm yum! I make something similar, but never thought to put gherkins and capers in it. Gorgeous!
Helen
Fewer calories. More chips! I love my reasoning!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
This looks wonderful! I love making my own tartare sauce but haven’t tried using yogurt – great idea.
Helen
I usually use just capers as someone not too far from me eats the gherkins!
[email protected]
I adore tartare sauce, luckily we have 2 decent fish & chop shops near us so I can make this when we next have out Fish Friday supper!
Helen
There is nothing like a take out fish and chips!
Jo of Jo's Kitchen
What a great idea for making tartare sauce healthier. I will try this!
Eat Your Heart Out
Oh this will make a great addition to our Friday night chippy ritual! Px
Gary
I remember finding out what was in tartare sauce from a Gary Rhodes book. I would’ve never have guessed it was capers that make it! Always good to have a standby sauce recipe.
Helen
We love capers so much Gary. Especially if paired with anchovies. Just so good.
Jennifer Tammy
I’ve been wanting to figure out a healthy alternative to store-bought tartar sauce, thanks for doing the work for me ;)
Helen
this is far better and fresher than store bought!
Camilla @FabFood4All
Thank for this fab recipe as we’re huge fans of Tartare Sauce and if we run out I now know to make my own:-)
Helen
So easy to make your own Camilla.
Emily
Sounds brilliant! Can’t have fish and chips without some good tartare!
Helen
Indeed you cannot!
Kavey Favelle
Oooh yes, great way to reduce calories without losing flavour! Cunning idea I love it. The Heston chips are bloody marvellous, by the way, well worth the effort!
Helen
I had a lesson from Ashley Palmer Watts in the way of the Heston chip a few years ago. So delicious.
Nadia
Haha love the image of your husband on his Micro scooter! I need one of those in my life (the scooter I mean :P). After reading this post I’m craving fish and chips so badly with a side of your tartare sauce!!
Helen
It is actually National Fish & Chip day today! Ed’s scooter is amazing, so super speedy!
Dannii
This is how I make ours too. Anything that has Mayo in it, I sub half of it for yoghurt and can’t even taste the difference.
Helen
I suspect no one would notice the substitution in ingredients unless you actually told them.
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet
As a saucy kind of a girl, this is right up my alley. If it’s a healthy version, even better!
Helen
I know you are a saucy girl!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I am glad to see that you use capers and hand chopped gherkins instead of relish! I totally agree that is the way to go. I so wish we had a place to get great take out fish and chips here so I could pair this with it!
Helen
Capers and gherkins are a staple in my fridge.
Julia @ Happy Foods Tube
Omg! I haven’t eaten tartare sauce in years! Must try your version!
Helen
it is the only accompaniment to fish and chips.
Noel Lizotte
I have trouble finding tartar sauce that I truly like. Your recipe sounds as if it may be the solution! I love when I can control what goes into a sauce / recipe.
Helen
I far prefer my own recipes – no additives in this one.
Kelly @ trial and eater
I never thought of making my own tartar sauce! Looks so easy too!
Helen
so easy to make.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Mmmm. perfect! I love the tip about thinning it down and lessening the calorie content with some yogurt! I love fish and chips and can’t wait to try your tartar sauce recipe.
Helen
I use the yogurt trick all the time for anything with mayo in it. Such an easy substitution.
Joanna
I love the sound of this tartar sauce made with greek yogurt. It’s a great healthy alternative for adding next to a fish dish.
Helen
Yogurt is a great substitute for anything with mayo in.
Duncan Smith
Nothing beats fish and chips with a good dollop of tartare sauce. Great idea to make your own, this sounds delicious.
Carly
I have fond memories of fish and chips at a beach side cafe on the coast at Dunwich, Suffolk. Always served with a slice of lemon, peas and tartare sauce. Simply the best! Brilliant to be able to make your own at home.
Kerry
My son used to love tartare sauce when we had it at restaurants, until he found out there was gherkins in it. He now refuses to eat it. Maybe I can tempt him back with this recipe idea.
Lisa Dodds
I have never thought of making this sauce, it sounds really good to have with fish and chips.
Pete Thomas
Tartar sauce sounds really good. Bet it would be great with potato wedges.