For Fish Sandwiches With 10X More Zing, Ditch The Tartar Sauce For This Condiment Instead

In general, fish sandwiches have a fairly standard form. The filet is breaded and fried, or perhaps seasoned and blackened, then popped onto a bun and topped with tartar sauce. In some cases there may be vegetables like lettuce, in others, no — but that tartar sauce is inevitable. Or, rather, it seems like it is. In truth, there are plenty of other options available for saucing a fish sandwich, and one of the best is a familiar accoutrement for seafood of all kinds: cocktail sauce.

Compared with the delicate and creamy tartar sauce that's typically slathered across a fish sandwich, cocktail sauce is positively zingy. Classic cocktail sauce recipes typically use ketchup, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and lemon juice to make a condiment that is sweet, salty, tangy, and packs plenty of punch. For those looking for a bit more from the condiment, cocktail sauce can be upgraded with ingredients like chili paste for a spicy kick or even a splash of aromatic tequila. In contrast to mayo-based tartar sauce, cocktail sauce is also quite light, with the acidity and zesty kick helping to cut through the fat and balance out a piece of fried fish.

Cocktail sauce is largely associated with shrimp, whether it's in the ubiquitous shrimp cocktail appetizer or simply a ramekin for dipping served alongside a pile of fried shrimp. Interestingly, however, cocktail sauce was actually originally paired with oysters, so any concerns about a mismatch with fish can be tossed out along with the shells. Sweet and tangy, with that earthy horseradish bite, savory cocktail sauce is a powerhouse of flavor for a fried fish sandwich — especially when compared to boring old tartar sauce.

Once the standard tartar sauce is nixed from the menu, don't be surprised if a whole slew of fish sandwich sauce ideas start cropping up in your mind — there is more than one way to dress that fried filet, after all. Almost a middle ground between tartar and cocktail sauces, Marie Rose is a creamy, pink British cocktail sauce made with ketchup, mayonnaise, lemon, and Worcestershire, and sometimes other ingredients like brandy, depending on the recipe. Southern remoulade sauce is another condiment with a similar base, enhancing mayo and ketchup with horseradish, aromatics, and plenty of spices. Those looking to zing up their fish sandwiches, but not willing to let go of the creaminess of tartar sauce, would do well to use either of these.

If the zing isn't necessary, but a change in sauce is, there are also lots of different mayonnaise-based options out there. Fish sandwiches are delicate in flavor by nature, so they can pair with just about anything. A drizzle of homemade chipotle mayonnaise brings smoky heat to the table, whereas a wasabi mayo delivers that same sort of horseradish punch instead. With sriracha mayo, the jalapeño heat is balanced with a subtly sweet richness. Otherwise, there's always good old, scratch-made garlic aioli for a simple aromatic boost.

The best bet for pleasing a group is probably to make a few different options from this list. Purists might cling to their boring old tartar sauce, while adventurous others will take quickly to zingy cocktail sauce. The rest can meet in the middle, perhaps, with a swipe of each on the bun.