tartar sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is tartar sauce high in nightshades?
Is tartar sauce high or low in nightshades? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
Related checkers
Compare tartar sauce across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why nightshades food checker matters
Nightshades are a plant family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Some people find that avoiding nightshades helps with joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammatory conditions, though research is limited.
- Complete elimination for 30 days gives the clearest picture
- Watch for hidden nightshades in spice blends and sauces
- Paprika and cayenne are nightshades often overlooked
- Sweet potatoes are NOT nightshades - they're safe
- Goji berries are nightshades
Sensitivities
What tartar sauce contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where tartar sauce fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about tartar sauce
Tartar sauce is graded high FODMAP (D), and the culprit is not the mayonnaise base but everything stirred into it. Sweet pickle relish, chopped onion and shallot bring fructans, and the sugar in the relish adds excess fructose on top. It also grades poorly for SIBO and low fermentation diets and comes out pro-inflammatory (E) thanks to the refined seed oil and added sugar. Beyond the FODMAPs it is a smear of moderates rather than one big trigger: borderline gluten, sulfites, histamine, histamine liberation, tyramine, salicylates and glutamates, none severe alone. That combination is why two tablespoons alongside fried fish can cause more trouble than the fish did.
Watch for
- Graded high FODMAP (D) with moderate fructans (C).Sweet relish, onion and shallot are the usual sources, and they are chopped small enough that you cannot pick them out.
- Moderate excess fructose (C) from the sugar or corn syrup in sweet relish, so it stacks with a sweet glaze or a soft drink at the same meal.
- Borderline on gluten (C), which is brand dependent rather than inherent.Malt vinegar is made from barley and some jars use wheat-derived thickeners, so a coeliac needs to read the label rather than assume a sauce is safe.
- Moderate sulfites (C) and moderate histamine plus histamine liberation, all carried in by the pickled cucumber, capers and vinegar rather than by the egg or oil.
- Graded pro-inflammatory (E) and poorly for DASH, reflecting the seed oil, sugar and salt load in a commercial jar.
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Nightshades Guide
Everything you need to know about nightshades sensitivity and smart food choices.
Nightshades are a plant family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Some people find that avoiding nightshades helps with joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammatory conditions, though research is limited.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Nightshades sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in nightshades and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Nightshades, consider these strategies:
- 1Complete elimination for 30 days gives the clearest picture
- 2Watch for hidden nightshades in spice blends and sauces
- 3Paprika and cayenne are nightshades often overlooked
- 4Sweet potatoes are NOT nightshades - they're safe
- 5Goji berries are nightshades
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is tartar sauce high in Nightshades?
Nightshades: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat tartar sauce if I'm sensitive to Nightshades?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Inflammation, AIP, and EoE Compatible next for a fuller picture.