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Homemade Tartar Sauce

Photo: Getty Images

BY The Editors

PUBLISHED March 5, 2024

One of our favorite spins on homemade mayonnaise.

 

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Homemade Tartar Sauce

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Makes 1 cup 1x

Time 10 minutes

Units Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup good-quality vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped sweet pickles or capers
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, white wine vinegar, or fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. To make by hand: Put the yolk and mustard in a medium bowl. Beat together with a whisk. Begin to add the oil in dribbles as you beat, adding more as each amount is incorporated. You’ll notice when a thick emulsion forms. Then you can add the remaining oil a little faster. Depending on how fast you beat, the whole process will take about 5 minutes. To make by machine: Put the yolk and mustard in a blender or food processor and turn the machine on. While it’s running, add the oil in a slow, steady stream. When an emulsion forms, you can add it a little faster (and scrape down the sides as necessary), until all the oil is incorporated.
  2. Stir in the pickles or capers by hand. Add salt and pepper, then stir in the vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Use immediately.

— Recipe from How to Cook Everything: Completely Revised Twentieth Anniversary Edition 

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