Tartar sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment most commonly served with fish and seafood. It's made from mayonnaise mixed with chopped pickles (or pickle relish), lemon juice, and herbs. The pickles give it a slightly sour, briny flavor that cuts through the richness of fried fish.

You'll often see tartar sauce served alongside fish and chips, fish sticks, fried shrimp, or crab cakes. The cool, tangy sauce provides a refreshing contrast to hot, crispy seafood. Some versions include capers (small pickled flower buds), onions, or mustard.

The sauce originated in France, where it was named sauce tartare. Many restaurants make their own versions of tartar sauce, adjusting the amounts of pickle, lemon, and herbs to create their signature flavor. Some people love it so much they use it on sandwiches or as a dip for French fries.