Beer Battered Fish Dipping Sauce: Top 7 Recipes You Must Try
The perfect beer-battered fish isn’t complete without a flavorful dipping sauce. While the crispy, golden crust of the fish offers satisfying crunch, the right sauce can elevate the meal to a new level.
Whether you prefer something creamy, tangy, spicy, or sweet, the right sauce will complement the savory beer batter perfectly.
Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the most popular dipping sauces to pair with beer-battered fish. Each comes with its own recipe, variations, and tips to help you get the perfect balance of flavors.
1. Classic Tartar Sauce
This timeless favorite is a must with fried fish. Tartar sauce is creamy, tangy, and herbaceous, featuring the zing of pickles and capers with a hint of lemon.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickles, capers, dill, and lemon juice.
- Stir until evenly mixed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill in the fridge for 15–30 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: Add a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity, or substitute dill pickles with bread-and-butter pickles for a sweeter variation.
2. Garlic Aioli
Rich and garlicky, aioli adds depth and complexity to beer-battered fish. It offers a smooth texture with a punch of garlic that complements the fried exterior.
Ingredients:
- 2 garlic cloves, mashed into a paste
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks while slowly drizzling in olive oil until the mixture thickens and emulsifies.
- Add the garlic paste and lemon juice.
- Season with salt and mix well.
- Let it chill for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Variation: Add a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor twist.
3. Malt Vinegar Mayo
If you love the traditional fish-and-chips flavor, malt vinegar mayo is your go-to sauce. This blend of creamy and tangy will remind you of the classic British pub favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp malt vinegar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Whisk the malt vinegar into the mayonnaise until smooth and well combined.
- Add black pepper and salt to taste.
- Let the sauce rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving Suggestion: Serve alongside fries for the full fish-and-chips experience.
4. Spicy Remoulade
A bolder, spicier alternative to tartar sauce, remoulade brings heat and zest to beer-battered fish. This Creole-inspired sauce is packed with flavor and perfect for spice lovers.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Creole mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more hot sauce as desired.
- Chill for 15 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: Swap out hot sauce for sriracha to add a bit more heat and complexity.
5. Sweet Chili Sauce
For an Asian-inspired flair, sweet chili sauce delivers the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Its sticky texture makes it a great complement to crispy fish.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions:
- Mix sweet chili sauce with rice vinegar and lime juice in a small bowl.
- Stir in the minced garlic.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later use.
Variation: Garnish with chopped cilantro for a fresh, herbal twist.
6. Lemon Herb Yogurt Sauce
Light, tangy, and refreshing, this yogurt-based sauce is a great alternative to heavier mayonnaise-based dips. It brings brightness to beer-battered fish, balancing out the rich flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Add chopped parsley and dill, then drizzle in olive oil.
- Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Pro Tip: Add grated cucumber for a Tzatziki-like twist.
7. Honey Mustard Sauce
Sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy, honey mustard sauce is a versatile dip that pairs well not only with fish but also fries, chicken, and sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and vinegar until smooth.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more honey if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestion: Use as a dipping sauce for fried seafood platters to complement multiple flavors.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
- Storage: Most of these sauces can be kept in the fridge for 3–5 days in an airtight container.
- Pairings: Experiment with different beers to complement your chosen sauce. For example, a pilsner goes well with garlic aioli, while an IPA might enhance the heat of spicy remoulade.
- Leftovers: These sauces also work great with sandwiches, wraps, or as dips for fries and vegetables.
With these sauces in your culinary toolkit, your beer-battered fish will never be boring. Which one will you try first? Or better yet, mix and match a few for a dipping sauce flight!
Conclusion
No matter your taste preference, one of these seven dipping sauces will complement your beer-battered fish perfectly.
From the familiar comfort of classic tartar sauce to the bold punch of spicy remoulade, these sauces are guaranteed to add flavor and excitement to every bite.
Whether you’re serving fish at a casual dinner or an elevated seafood feast, experimenting with these sauces can create delicious, memorable meals.