Table of Contents

Introduction

When you found yourself at a seafood stand or a fish fry run by a family, you realized that tartar sauce is not just a condiment, but the secret handshake of the seafood industry. And since you were fortunate to have tried Kings Inn Tartar Sauce Recipe, you will know that it hits in a different way.

Funky, creamy, and a bit mysterious, this sauce has also formed a legend of its own. No longer will you need to get that stuff off the shelf; this is the tartar that you go back and re-dip your fried shrimp with and take an unimpeded spoonful when you are alone.

What is Kings Inn Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce is a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, pickles, and sour spices at the very heart of it. However, the Kings Inn Tartar Sauce Recipe goes a step further, being smoother, better balanced, and a good match to fried fish, hush puppies, crab cakes, or even the French fries.

It would be better to consider it the classy cousin of your generic tartar sauce, the one that it is by adding just the right balance of crunch, zing, and creaminess.

The Story of My Discovery

I was introduced to Kings Inn Tartar Sauce Recipe by chance. I was on a road trip along the coast, that impulse buy trip, the one that is just driven by the desire to drink a cup of coffee, fill up with snacks at the gas station, and have fresh seafood on the way.

One resident had recommended Kings Inn, which had been sworn at by him up and down as having changed his life as a result of having their fried fish and tartar sauce combination.

I turned my head away–because, to tell the truth, how do you think tartar sauce could be? But then I tasted it. It struck me that all the hype was true.

And then the creaminess hit, followed by that slight blast of acidity with the pickles, and then a slight sweetness that made it all addictive. I even requested to have an extra side to bring home, and that night I was dipping potato chips in it. No shame.

Equipment List

There is no need for you to have a professional kitchen in order to make this sauce. Here’s all you’ll need:

A medium mixing bowl
A sharp knife to chop pickles and onions.
Measuring spoons & cups
A whisk or spoon for mixing
A jar with a lid for storage

Ingredients

The ingredients of Kings Inn Tartar Sauce Recipe include the following:

1 cup mayonnaise (the creamy base)
2 tbsp dill pickles, chopped fine (to add crunch and tang)
1 tbsp sweet relish (to add some sweetness)
1 tbsp onion, extremely fine minced.
1 tsp lemon juice (to add lightness)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, to add richness)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
Pinch of salt (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1

The pickles and onions must be chopped very finely to ensure the sauce remains smooth.

Step 2

Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard to a bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Step 3

Add chopped pickles, relish, onion, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.

Step 4

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 h and then serve. This enables the flavors to blend.

Step5

Pair with fried catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, crab cakes or even roasted potatoes.

Secrets to Success (a.k.a. “Mysteries of Flavor”)

This is what makes this recipe a success each and every time:

Texture matters – Finely cut your ingredients; no one wants thick tartar sauce.

Balance the tang – Pickle or relish may overwhelm the sauce. Taste as you go.

Lemon juice alone (fresh)- Bottled lemon juice simply does not provide the same level of brightness.

Chill time = magic – Days off the hour in the fridge; it is when the flavors actually open up.

Play with herbs – a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley will put it on another plane.

What makes this Kings Inn Tartar Sauce Recipe always a winner?

The recipes of tartar sauces are many, but this one stands tall due to its balance. It is creamy without being heavy, tangy without being sour, and sweet without being cloying. It is the ideal match with seafood and fried stuff due to not merely sitting on the top but optimizing the tastes.

It is also really easy to prepare and to make. Most of the ingredients are likely to be available in your fridge. And after you have it, you will never go back to store-bought. This is one of those little things that make a good meal memorable.

Flavor Profile

Well, what does the Kings Inn Tartar Sauce taste like?

Creamy & smooth from the mayo.
Fruity and sharp with lemon juice and pickles.
Sweet and leveling out of the relish.
Salty and full of onion, garlic, and pepper.

Bold enough to stand its own in the company of fried foods, yet at the same time versatile enough to serve as a spread on sandwiches or even a dip to accompany fried foods.

Final Thoughts

The Kings Inn Tartar Sauce Recipe is so beautiful because it is not just a condiment, but it is a tradition, a taste of a bit of seafood culture delivered right in your kitchen. When you whip it and serve it with crispy fried fish or golden hush puppies, you will know why it has such a cult.

And stir up a bowl, and put one in your refrigerator. Believe me: you will be reaching for it much more frequently than you think. And who knows–you may even be dipping potato chips in it at midnight, like I was.

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