Key findings
- 1Commercial tartar sauce compounds processing layers; the mayonnaise base has its own ingredient list, then relish and stabilizers add more
- 2High fructose corn syrup or sugar often appears in the relish component, adding sweetness most people do not expect in tartar sauce
- 3Homemade tartar sauce is one of the easiest condiments to make at home, requiring only mayo, chopped pickles or capers, lemon juice, and herbs
Why is Tartar Sauce ultra-processed on average?
Tartar sauce is a compound condiment built on top of an already processed base. Commercial mayonnaise provides the foundation (soybean oil, eggs, vinegar, EDTA), to which manufacturers add sweet pickle relish (cucumbers, high fructose corn syrup, vinegar, xanthan gum), dehydrated onion, modified food starch as a thickener, and additional preservatives. In our analysis, tartar sauce products average 23.0 ingredients and a Processing Score of 9.4, which is Level 4. Homemade tartar sauce (mayonnaise mixed with chopped pickles, capers, lemon juice, and dill) is dramatically simpler, but the commercial version must survive months of refrigerated shelf life, which demands stabilizers and preservatives that a home cook would never use.
How 115 tartar sauce products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Tartar Sauce brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a tartar sauce label
- 1
The ingredient list is layered; the mayonnaise base has its own sub-ingredients, then the relish adds more
- 2
Modified food starch and xanthan gum are thickeners used to prevent separation during shelf storage
- 3
EDTA (calcium disodium EDTA) appears in both the mayo base and sometimes the overall product
- 4
Homemade tartar sauce (mayo, chopped pickles, lemon juice, dill) is far simpler and takes under 5 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
Is tartar sauce unhealthy?
Tartar sauce is calorie-dense due to its mayonnaise base (roughly 70-80 calories per tablespoon) and commercial versions contain preservatives and modified starches. In our analysis, tartar sauce products average a Processing Score of 9.4, which is Level 4. Homemade versions using quality mayo and fresh ingredients are simpler.
What is tartar sauce made of?
Traditional tartar sauce is mayonnaise mixed with chopped pickles or relish, capers, lemon juice, and herbs like dill or parsley. Commercial versions add modified food starch, xanthan gum, EDTA, potassium sorbate, and sometimes high fructose corn syrup to the relish component.
Can I make tartar sauce at home?
Yes. Mix mayonnaise with finely chopped dill pickles, a squeeze of lemon juice, and optional capers and dill. This takes under 5 minutes and is far less processed than the store-bought version.