Have you ever tasted the delicious tartar sauce at Texas Roadhouse and wished you could recreate it at home? With just 8 simple ingredients, you can now make an authentic copycat version of this tangy and creamy condiment in your own kitchen. Keep reading to learn the easy tartar sauce recipe straight from the famous steakhouse chain!
When making your next burger or serving up fish and chips, take them to the next level by pairing them with this restaurant-quality tartar sauce. The blend of mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, onion, and seasoning perfectly complements seafood, burgers, sandwiches, fries, and more. Making this versatile sauce yourself saves money compared to constantly dining out just to enjoy it!
Why You’ll Love This Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce
There are plenty of reasons this tartar sauce recipe deserves a permanent spot in your refrigerator’s condiment lineup:
The Creamy, Tangy Flavor Can’t Be Beat
Each creamy, cool bite packs the perfect balance of tang and sweet. The mayonnaise and vinegar provide rich creaminess and a punch of acidity while the sugar, pickle relish, and mustard supply sweet and savory notes. Customize the flavor proportions to match your tastes – add more relish for extra tang or increase the sugar for additional sweetness.
It Comes Together in Just 5 Minutes
Skipping takeout and whipping up this easy recipe means going from hungry to happy in mere minutes. Simply gathering a few ingredients and whisking up the sauce takes no time at all. Making tartar sauce couldn’t be more effortless!
You Can Control Ingredients to Avoid Allergies
If food allergies are a concern, making your own tartar sauce ensures you control everything that goes in it. Substitute ingredients as needed to tailor it to your dietary needs. Explore alternate seasonings like lemon pepper or cajun spice for varieties everyone can enjoy.
It Stores Well for Months in the Fridge
While fresh tartar sauce tastes best, this recipe holds up beautifully for ages when properly stored. The high oil and acidity content prevents bacterial growth, allowing the tartar sauce to maintain peak quality refrigerated for up to 2 months.
How to Make Copycat Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce
Recreating the Texas Roadhouse tartar sauce requires just 8 ingredients likely already in your pantry and fridge. Follow these simple steps:
Gather Your Tartar Sauce Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
Make sure your mayonnaise lists vinegar in the ingredients – this adds necessary tartness. For safety, choose pasteurized eggs and refrigerated products.
Select Equipment to Mix and Store
To mix and serve the sauce, have ready:
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Storage container with lid
- Cutting board and knife (to mince onion)
Use a clean mixing bowl so flavors don’t get contaminated. Glass storage containers work best for fridge stability.
Blend All Ingredients Until Smooth
Add all ingredients to your mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously or stir with a spoon for 1-2 minutes, ensuring everything incorporates smoothly.
Scrape the sides and bottom to fully blend. Mixing longer develops maximum flavor.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning
At this point, taste your creation! If needed, tweak tartar sauce to your preferences:
- Add more salt, pepper, or sugar to change flavor strength
- For more tang, incorporate another teaspoon or two of vinegar or relish
- Thin with milk or mayo if consistency seems too thick
Customizing saltiness, sweetness, and tartness makes this your signature sauce.
Chill Sauce for Best Flavor
Before serving, refrigerate tartar sauce covered for at least 30 minutes – longer is even better. This allows time for flavors to meld and deepen.
Once chilled, give a final stir to recombine right before enjoying or transferring to ramekins.
And that’s all it takes to whip up this copycat Texas Roadhouse favorite! Drizzle it over crispy fries, flaky fish, juicy burgers, and more.
Recipe Variations
Change up this top-rated tartar sauce with simple modifications:
- Fold in chopped pickles or capers for extra crunch
- Replace Dijon with another mustard variety like yellow or stoneground
- Swap minced onion for 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Include hot sauce or horseradish to add a kick of heat
- Blend in fresh parsley, chives, dill, or other herbs
- Stir in grated Parmesan for a creamier, richer sauce
Feel free to substitute aioli or ranch dressing as the base. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Of course this tartar sauce pairs fabulously with seafood, but why stop there? Use it to upgrade all kinds of dishes:
Burgers and Sandwiches
Slather on beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, and more
French Fries and Tater Tots
Dip crispy fries and tots or bake it right on top
Veggies
Coat cooked green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, and other fresh veggies
Eggs
Top deviled eggs or scramble it right into morning eggs and omelets
Cheese and Crackers
Spread over cheddar slices, mozzarella sticks, soft pretzels, or buttery crackers for an instant appetizer
Salads
Drizzle over potato, tuna, chicken, and pasta salads
Baked Potatoes
Spoon on baked russets or sweet potatoes along with bacon, cheddar, and scallions
With so many possibilities, your homemade Texas Roadhouse inspired tartar sauce makes the perfect multi-purpose condiment!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Tartar Sauce
Like many oil and egg-based products, homemade tartar sauce keeps fresh surprisingly long when handled properly:
Storage
Keep refrigerated in an airtight container, using within 5 days for absolute best quality and up to 2 months for acceptable flavor.
Freezing
For maximum shelf life up to 4 months, freeze extra tartar sauce in a freezer bag or airtight tub. Thaw overnight when ready to use.
Reheating
If separated, gently stir back together before serving. For best texture, do not microwave – simply let sit at room temperature to slowly warm back up.
With proper storage methods, you can enjoy your leftover tartar sauce for lunches, dinners, and parties all month long!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about whipping up this top-rated Texas Roadhouse recipe? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Does it need time to thicken in the fridge?
No – the mayonnaise makes an instantly creamy, thick consistency without setting time required.
Can I prepare it in advance?
Absolutely! Blend up a double batch and refrigerate in a sealed container up to 8 weeks.
What’s the difference between tartar sauce and cocktail sauce?
While they look similar, tartar sauce uses mayonnaise while cocktail sauce uses ketchup or chili sauce as the base.
Is commercially bottled tartar sauce just as good?
Nothing beats the fresh, homemade version! Bottled products often swap in cheap oils, use preservatives, and lack flavor.
How spicy does the mustard and black pepper make it?
The small mustard and pepper amounts add just a slight bite – increase measurements for extra zing.
So don’t hesitate to get mixing! This easy 8-ingredient Texas Roadhouse tartar sauce awaits your burgers, fish sticks, and fries.
Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe
This easy home copycat recipe for Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce delivers the perfect creamy, tangy topping for seafood, burgers, fries and more using just 8 pantry ingredients and 5 minutes active time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, minced onion, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
- Taste the tartar sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add more salt, pepper, or sugar based on your preference.
- Refrigerate the tartar sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
- Once chilled, give the tartar sauce a final stir before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 90Total Fat: 10gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 203mgCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0g
Conclusion
With such simple preparation and ingredients easily kept on hand, there’s no reason not to add this copycat Texas Roadhouse tartar sauce recipe into your regular repertoire. The luscious, bright flavor takes seafood, sandwiches, veggies, and apps over the top. Make a batch to become the MVP of all your upcoming meals!