Your Steak Would Be Better With This Go-To Condiment For Fish

Salt, pepper, butter, and maybe a sprig of rosemary — that's usually all that's necessary for a satisfying steak. Yet, every so often, when the palate calls for twists and changes, this classic dish may need just a bit more. As sophisticated as steak is known to be, you don't always have to go above and beyond with elaborate ingredients to make a difference. Sometimes even something as simple as tartar sauce can do wonders. It's not exactly a conventional pairing, but much like coffee-rubbed steak and other odd ideas, it's well worth the culinary risk.

Tartar sauce is mostly used as a trusted companion for bringing life to your favorite seafood without taking all the spotlight. But this mayo-based condiment's magic is also effective with steak. Upon first taste, you'll notice how well its creamy taste offsets a steak's meaty richness. Then there's also a zingy hint of acidity from the lemon cutting through the overall fattiness as well as a delectable tanginess courtesy of the capers and pickles. In fact, the flavors aren't a million miles from a classic béarnaise sauce, which is well-known for pairing with steak. Hiding in the undertone are herbaceous notes that play right into the rosemary's aromatic touch, not to mention an exquisite sweetness dancing the background, subtly contrasting the overall savoriness. As all of these flavor nuances unfold together, you get a steak that's anything but ordinary. It's simultaneously comforting and refined — a duality that helps the dish fit into almost any occasion.

Unsurprisingly, tartar sauce is good for more than just fish, thanks to its versatility. A stellar dipping sauce for fish sticks, fried chicken, and French fries, it can no doubt accompany your steak under the same role. Nothing beats the joy of biting into a juicy piece of meat coated in this luscious sauce and tasting the complex flavors as they unravel onto your taste buds. A drizzle over the steak also works wonders for a quick, effortless transformation. And if you're stuffing steak into burgers or sandwiches, you can spread the sauce onto the bread in place of the usual mustard and ketchup.

Don't forget you can also get creative with the tartar sauce itself and go beyond the original ingredients. Consider playing with ingredients that complement steak's natural taste. Fresh herbs that this sauce often uses are dill and parsley, but rosemary might also be a good idea for tying in with the steak. You can even blend in a splash of red wine to give the sauce a deeply sophisticated twist, playing up the beef's deep, rich notes. Reach for smoked paprika or cayenne pepper if you want a kick of heat alongside the tang, or horseradish to impart a peppery bite, or chop up some mushrooms for an earthy, umami touch. Feel free to customize the sauce to fit your personal taste and discover even more indulgent ways to ring the changes in the way you enjoy steak.