Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe

Tartar sauce is a creamy and tangy condiment. People serve it with fish and seafood dishes.

A good Sauce can turn simple recipe into a perfect dish.

At Texas Roadhouse, their grilled shrimp and salmon are so good. But to be honest, it’s not just the grilled shrimp and salmon. Their tartar sauce is amazing.

I must say it was better than the other tartar sauce I was used to tasting.

Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce adds a certain level of flavor to any seafood dishes. It’s enough to take a dish from just average to over the top.

Now, people who judge a seafood place by its tartar sauce can get the same Texas Roadhouse taste at home.

I dared to create this copycat Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe. It tastes the same as what Texas Roadhouse serves at their restaurant.

What is Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is a cold, creamy sauce. The sauce is mainly made with mayonnaise. People add pickles, lemon juice, and herbs to it.

Some versions also add capers or mustard for extra flavor. The sauce has a smooth texture with little bits of pickle that give it crunch. It tastes tangy and a bit sweet.

Most people use it for fried fish, fish sandwiches, crab cakes, and shrimp.

The sauce came from France a long time ago. Now it is a common condiment in America.

You can buy it at stores, but homemade tartar sauce tastes much better and takes just a few minutes to put together.

What Makes Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce So Special

There are many versions of tartar sauce, but the Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce stands out for a few simple reasons.

1. The right balance of creaminess, tang, and crunch – The sauce isn’t too thick or too sour. It has the perfect mix of creamy mayonnaise and crunchy pickles. Each bite feels smooth with a light crisp texture.
2. Use of high-quality mayonnaise and pickles – Texas Roadhouse uses top-quality mayo and fresh dill pickles, which make the flavor stand out. The creaminess of the mayo and the briny crunch of the pickles work together perfectly.
3. Secret touch of lemon and seasoning that adds restaurant-style flavor – A bit of fresh lemon juice gives brightness to the sauce, while Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard add that special depth you often notice in restaurant sauces.
4. Fresh ingredients matter – Texas Roadhouse makes their tartar sauce in small batches using real lemon, dill, and good pickles, which keeps the flavor bright and fresh

What is in Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce

• Mayonnaise (½ cup) – It’s the main base that gives the sauce its creamy texture. It blends everything together. You can use any good-quality store-bought mayonnaise, or homemade mayo if preferred. For a lighter version, low-fat mayonnaise also works well.
• Fresh Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon) – Lemon juice adds brightness and tang to the sauce. It helps balance the richness of the mayo. If fresh lemon is not available, bottled lemon juice can be used, but fresh gives better flavor.
• Capers, chopped (1 tablespoon, optional) – Capers bring a salty, briny taste that deepens the flavor. They’re optional but highly recommended for a restaurant-style finish. If unavailable, you can skip them or add a few extra chopped pickles.
• Dill Pickle, finely chopped (1 small pickle or about 3 tablespoons) – Pickles add crunch and tang. Use dill pickles for the best flavor. Sweet pickles can change the taste, but in a pinch, they can be used for a slightly sweeter twist.
• Chopped Fresh Dill (1 tablespoon) or Dried Dill (1 teaspoon) – Dill gives a fresh herbal touch. Fresh dill works best, but dried dill also provides good flavor if that’s what you have.
• Worcestershire Sauce (½ to 1 teaspoon) – This gives a savory flavor that rounds out the tanginess. It adds depth without overpowering. Soy sauce or a small pinch of salt can be used as a mild substitute.
• Dijon Mustard (½ teaspoon) – Mustard brings a gentle kick and balances the creamy texture. If Dijon isn’t available, yellow mustard can be used instead for a softer flavor.
• Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper (to taste) – These are simple seasonings that bring all the flavors together. Use just enough to balance the sauce without making it salty.

Equipment Needed

1. Mixing Bowl – For combining all ingredients.
2. Measuring Spoons – To get the right balance of each ingredient.
3. Measuring Cup – For the mayonnaise.
4. Whisk or Spoon – To mix the sauce until smooth.
5. Cutting Board and Knife – To chop pickles and dill finely.
6. Small Container with Lid – For storing the finished sauce.

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce

Step 1 | Prepare the Ingredients

Finely chop the dill pickle and fresh dill. If you’re using capers, chop them into tiny pieces too. This helps the sauce stay smooth and easy to spread.

Step 2 | Add the Base Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, add ½ cup of mayonnaise. This will be the creamy base for your tartar sauce.

Step 3 | Mix in the Lemon Juice

Pour in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and stir until it’s well combined with the mayo. This adds a bright flavor and slightly thins the sauce.

Step 4 | Add the Flavor

Stir in the chopped pickles, dill, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and capers (if you’re using them). Mix well so all the ingredients blend evenly.

Step 5 | Season the Sauce

Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix, taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 6 | Check the Texture

The sauce should be thick but smooth enough to scoop easily. If it feels too thick, add a few drops of lemon juice or a teaspoon of pickle juice to thin it slightly.

Step 7 | Chill Before Serving

Spoon the sauce into a container with a lid and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time helps the flavors blend beautifully before serving.

Tips for Getting That Authentic Texas Roadhouse Taste

• Don’t Skip the Worcestershire Sauce: It may seem like a small detail, but it adds that deep, savory flavor you taste in restaurant-style tartar sauce. Just a few drops give the sauce a rich, balanced taste.
• Adjust the Pickle Texture: Cut your pickles into very small pieces so the sauce stays creamy but still has a little crunch. You can add more or less depending on how chunky you like it.
• Let It Rest Longer: While chilling for 30 minutes is fine, letting it sit for a few hours – or even overnight – makes it taste even better. The flavors blend together and become smoother.

What to Serve With Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce

The most common pairing is fried fish. Beer-battered cod, fried catfish, or fish sticks all taste great with tartar sauce.

Fried shrimp is another classic choice. The cool, tangy sauce balances the hot, crispy coating perfectly.

Crab cakes love tartar sauce too. The creamy sauce complements the sweet crab meat.

You can also serve it with grilled salmon or grilled shrimp, just like they do at Texas Roadhouse. The sauce works with baked fish as well.

Try it with fish tacos for a creamy topping.

Some people even use it as a dip for French fries or onion rings. It’s also good spread on a fish sandwich.

Really, any seafood dish will taste better with this sauce on the side.

How to Store the Tartar Sauce

Store your leftover tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sauce will stay good for up to 1 week. Keep it in the coldest part of your fridge, usually the back of a middle shelf.

Do not leave the sauce out at room temperature for more than two hours. The mayonnaise can spoil when left out too long.

When you want to use the sauce again, give it a good stir. Sometimes the liquid separates from the solids during storage. A quick stir will bring everything back together.

Check the sauce before you use it. Look for any signs of spoilage like an off smell, mold, or a strange color. When the sauce looks or smells wrong, throw it out.

Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe FAQs

1. Can I make this tartar sauce ahead of time?

Yes, it’s a great idea to make the sauce ahead of time. When tartar sauce sits in the refrigerator for a few hours, the flavors blend together even better.

You can prepare it one day before serving. Just keep it covered and chilled. Before using, give it a good stir to keep it creamy and smooth.

2. How to thicken runny tartar sauce?

If your tartar sauce turns out too thin, add a little more mayonnaise. Stir it slowly until you get the texture you want. Another trick is to refrigerate it for 30 minutes; the sauce will thicken naturally as it cools.

3. Can I use vegan mayonnaise to make this recipe?

Yes, vegan mayonnaise works perfectly as a substitute. It will still give you the same creamy base, and the flavor will stay very close to the original. Just make sure to use unsweetened vegan mayo for the right balance.

If the tangy flavor is too strong for you, you can balance it out. Add one or two more tablespoons of mayonnaise. This will make the sauce creamier and milder. You can also reduce the amount of lemon juice by half.

4. Can I use this sauce for non-seafood dishes?

Yes, it works well as a dip for fries, chicken tenders, or even vegetable sticks.

5. Why does my tartar sauce taste too sour?

Too much lemon juice can cause that. Add a spoon of mayonnaise or a pinch of sugar to balance it out.

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Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe

Yield: About 1 cup (8 servings)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Make creamy, tangy Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe in just 10 minutes! Perfect for seafood lovers who want that restaurant-style flavor at home.

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Ingredients

• ½ cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 tablespoon Capers, chopped (optional)
• 1 small Dill Pickle, finely chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
• ½ to 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Finely chop the dill pickle and fresh dill. If you’re using capers, chop them into tiny pieces too. This helps the sauce stay smooth and easy to spread.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, add ½ cup of mayonnaise. This will be the creamy base for your tartar sauce.
3. Pour in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and stir until it’s well combined with the mayo. This adds a bright flavor and slightly thins the sauce.
4. Stir in the chopped pickles, dill, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and capers (if you’re using them). Mix well so all the ingredients blend evenly.
5. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix, taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. The sauce should be thick but smooth enough to scoop easily. If it feels too thick, add a few drops of lemon juice or a teaspoon of pickle juice to thin it slightly.
7. Spoon the sauce into a container with a lid and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time helps the flavors blend beautifully before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: (Per Serving – Approx. 2 tablespoons)
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 125Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 1gSugar: .5gProtein: .2g

The Texas Roadhouse Tartar Sauce Recipe is quick, creamy, and full of flavor. With a few simple ingredients, it brings that same Texas Roadhouse taste to your table.

It’s easy to prepare – perfect for anyone who wants a fresh and tasty sauce for their next seafood dish.