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We’ve all been there. We all had the random leftovers that we’re not quite in the mood for, but then again, we know we have to use them. Whether to prevent food waste or free up space in the refrigerator, it’s important to have recipes and formulas to reinvent those leftovers into something else. This Whole30 Pickled Carrot Tartar Sauce is one such recipe, where we reinvent leftovers to create something totally new – and delicious!
Reimagining Leftovers into New Creations
You don’t have to sacrifice flavor when using up all your leftovers! I mean, most of the time you can just reheat them and eat the same meal again, but with a little bit of imagination, leftovers can be completely transformed. All you need is a little bit of background on the different axes of flavor, which will help you make smart substitutions.
For example, one of the ingredients in traditional tartar sauce is finely chopped dill (cucumber) pickles. If we drill down on those pickles, the flavor profile is a combination of sour/acidic notes, a little bit of salt, and a solid texture. So if we want a substitute for the traditional pickles, we’ll want something that also touches on the sour parts of our taste buds and adds volume to the sauce. So, while we can’t substitute lemon juice for the pickles (not solid), and we shouldn’t substitute brussels sprouts (not acidic), we can look at, say, my spicy pickled carrots as a perfect alternative.
If you’re interested in more ways to think about creative ingredient substitutions, definitely let me know in the comments section!
Farmers Market Ingredients and Substitutions
Pickled Carrots
I’m sure you’ve noticed that many vendors at the farmers market sell more than just fresh vegetables. Often, they’ll have their own preserved foods, and among those, lots of pickles. I’ve seen tons of different pickled vegetables at the farmers market, ranging from the classic cucumbers, to carrots, green beans, and cauliflower. Any of these pickled vegetables can be used in this tartar sauce recipe, which is a great way to use up the one or two leftover pieces.
Don’t throw out the brine, though! You can totally use that to make delicious marinades.
Want to make your own pickled carrots? My recipe is over here!
Dill
Dill is a key flavor to tartar sauce. Fresh dill is best, as you really get the herbal punch. You won’t need much, as a little bit goes a long way; this is a great use for the last few sprigs of dill hanging out in the fridge.
Tips and Tricks
There was once a time that if you wanted a Paleo or Whole30 compliant mayonnaise, you had to make it yourself. And while it’s not necessarily hard to make, it definitely isn’t convenient to make your own homemade mayo each and every time you need a little bit.
Now, we have quite a few options for a decent premade mayo that isn’t filled with junk ingredients. My favorite is the Chosen Foods Keto Mayo, which is made with coconut MCT oil. It has a rich umami flavor that I really enjoy. Others prefer the Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayonnaise; not my favorite (so I’m not linking it), but I know lots of people swear by it. Either way, I do recommend trying one of these cleaner premade mayos; they’re better for you, and I prefer the taste profile.
Serving Suggestions
Whole30 Pickled Carrot Tartar Sauce is the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of fish. My particular favorite is crispy skinned salmon. This method from Serious Eats is both foolproof and fast; the key is ensuring the salmon is dry before you place it in the hot skillet.
If you’re looking for something a bit more kid friendly, serve this tartar sauce with fish sticks. But this isn’t just for kids. Fish sticks are a quick hack for making fish tacos. Spread a little bit of this pickled carrot tartar sauce on a tortilla, add a fish stick, and top with some shredded cabbage, and boom! Quick weeknight fish tacos.
Tartar sauce also pairs surprisingly well with crispy roasted potatoes. Think of tartar sauce like souped up, more flavorful mayonnaise, a classic pairing with French fries.
What about the leftovers?
Store your Whole30 Pickled Carrot Tartar Sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Don’t put it in the freezer; it’ll split when you thaw it and not be very appetizing.
Whole30 Pickled Carrot Tartar Sauce
It's important to have recipes to transform leftovers into something new. This Whole30 Pickled Carrot Tartar Sauce is one such recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp capers, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp pickled carrots, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp stone ground mustard
- 1/2 cup Whole30 compliant mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, stir all ingredients together except for the salt and pepper. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste.
- The tartar sauce will become more flavorful as it rests; this sauce can be made several days in advance.
