The Good Stuff Simple Swaps – Every Wednesday I share a new Good Stuff Simple Swap, one simple change that helps clean up your everyday eats without overhauling your whole pantry. You can find all the past swaps here!
Lent starts this week, and for many of us, that means a lot more fish on the menu. But have you ever looked at the back of a standard squeeze bottle of tartar sauce?
Most of the big brands are built on a base of soybean or canola oil and packed with high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives like EDTA, and even artificial dyes like Yellow 5 just to make it look “rich.” I call it “cream of crap” sauce because it’s basically a bottle of industrial oils and sugar disguised as a savory topping.
The Simple Swap: Trade the Squeeze Bottle for a Cleaner Option
The fix is easy: swap out those industrial oil-based sauces for a brand that uses real food ingredients. We are looking for sauces that use heart-healthy fats (like avocado oil) and skip the high-fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes.
My “Good Stuff” Store-Bought Pick
If you want the convenience of a bottle without the junk, there is one brand I found that passed the test!
- Primal Kitchen Tartar Sauce: This is the gold standard. It’s made with avocado oil, organic eggs, and zero added sugar. It is also Paleo and Keto friendly.
Why This Swap Matters
The reason we make this swap is all about the two main pillars of tartar sauce:
- The Oil: Standard brands use soybean or canola oil (seed oils), while our “Good Stuff” pick uses avocado oil.
- The “Extras”: We are skipping the Yellow 5 dye and the corn syrup that big brands use to flavor-match their cheap ingredients.
Make it Yourself in a few Minutes
If you can’t find this brand at your local store, don’t worry! I usually just whip up a quick batch at home using my favorite clean mayo and pickles. It’s actually cheaper and tastes even better.
Get my 5-Minute Cleaner Tartar Sauce Recipe here!
Tartar Sauce FAQs
Why is there high-fructose corn syrup in my tartar sauce?
Manufacturers add high-fructose corn syrup to balance out cheap, acidic vinegar. When you use high-quality ingredients like real lemon juice and avocado oil, you don’t need the it!
Is the Yellow 5 dye really necessary?
Not at all. It’s only added to make the sauce look a certain shade of “yellow-ish.” Since it’s purely cosmetic and can be an inflammatory trigger for some, it’s one of the first things I look to avoid.
Does natural tartar sauce taste different?
Yes, it tastes much fresher! You’ll actually taste the dill and the lemon rather than just a heavy, syrupy creaminess. It brightens up your fish instead of masking it.
This post contains affiliate links. Ingredient information is shared for educational purposes only. Product formulations can change.
You can find all the past swaps here and don’t forget to check back next Wednesday for the next Good Stuff Simple Swap!
