A great tartar sauce can turn an ordinary fish dinner into something your family actually gets excited about. This homemade tartar sauce will be your secret weapon for making even the pickiest eaters clean their plates!
Making homemade tartar sauce is a game-changer, and I can’t believe I spent years buying those tiny, overpriced jars at the grocery store! This creamy, tangy sauce comes together in minutes with simple ingredients in your fridge.
I love this recipe because it strikes a balance between tangy and creamy, with just enough texture from the chopped pickles to make it interesting. While store-bought versions often taste artificial and overly sweet, this homemade tartar sauce recipe lets you control exactly what goes into it. This sauce adds personality to your seafood without overwhelming it.
For anyone who thinks tartar sauce is just glorified mayonnaise, this recipe will change your mind. Each ingredient contributes to creating a sauce that’s bright, fresh, and way more exciting than store-bought tartar sauce.
I’ll show you how to whip up this classic condiment in minutes, share some tips for customizing it to your taste, and give you plenty of serving suggestions. It will have everyone reaching for seconds of fish night – and maybe even asking when you’re making fish again.
Looking for more easy-to-make condiments? Try Chick-fil-A sauce, Polynesian sauce, Arby’s horsey sauce, or homemade Arby’s sauce.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Mayonnaise: I always use full-fat mayo for the best flavor and texture.
- Dill Pickles: I prefer to finely chop my own pickles rather than using relish. It gives the sauce a better texture and a fresher taste.
- Dill
- Parsley
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best! But use bottled if you don’t have fresh lemons.
- Sugar
- Black Pepper
🥣How to Make Tartar Sauce
- Grab a medium mixing bowl.
- Measure out your mayonnaise and add it to the bowl.
- Add your finely chopped dill pickles, fresh dill, and parsley to the mayo. The finer you chop these ingredients, the better they blend into the sauce.
- Sprinkle in the sugar and black pepper, then add the lemon juice.
- Mix everything together until well combined. I use a rubber spatula to make sure everything gets incorporated evenly.
🍴Serving Ideas
You know how sometimes the simplest condiments can make a meal go from good to great? That’s precisely what this homemade tartar sauce does! I love serving it with just about any seafood dish that comes out of my kitchen. My family especially goes crazy for it with fried fish.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use this tartar sauce:
- Pair it with air fryer fish and chips for the ultimate fish fry experience.
- Serve alongside crab cakes or salmon patties as a classic accompaniment.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for fried shrimp or calamari.
- Spread it on fish sandwiches or po’ boys.
- Add a dollop to fish tacos for a creamy finish.
💭How to Store
Store your homemade tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because it’s mayo-based, you’ll definitely want to keep it cold. When properly stored, it will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
Here are a few simple storage tips I’ve learned:
- Always use a clean spoon when serving to prevent contamination
- Don’t leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours
- Stir it before serving if any separation occurs
- If it becomes too thick during storage, thin it out with a splash of pickle juice or lemon juice
While it might be tempting to make a huge batch, this sauce is so quick to whip up that it’s better to make smaller amounts more frequently to ensure the freshest taste. Fresh tartar sauce makes all the difference when serving those fish dinners!
⭐Tips & Tricks for Perfect Tartar Sauce
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- The pickles are really the star of this recipe! Chop them finely and evenly.
- If you want to adjust the consistency, you can add a splash of pickle juice to thin it out. I sometimes do this when serving it with fish sticks – my kids prefer it a bit thinner for dipping!
- You can alter the recipe to suit your taste. Add some finely chopped onions or capers. Or use bread and butter pickles for a sweeter version.
- Turn this into a spicy remoulade sauce by adding ½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.
- This sauce actually gets better after it sits for a while! I often make it a few hours before serving to let the flavors meld together. Just keep it covered in the fridge.
⭐Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!
Tartar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon dill finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Measure out your mayonnaise and add it to a medium mixing bowl.1 cup mayonnaise
- Add your finely chopped dill pickles, fresh dill, and parsley to the mayo. The finer you chop these ingredients, the better they blend into the sauce.3/4 cup dill pickles, 1 tablespoon dill, 1 tablespoon parsley
- Sprinkle in the sugar and black pepper, then add the lemon juice.1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Mix everything together until well combined.
Notes
- This keeps for 1 week in the fridge.
- If you want to adjust the consistency, you can add a splash of pickle juice to thin it out. I sometimes do this when serving it with fish sticks – my kids prefer it a bit thinner for dipping!
- You can alter the recipe to suit your taste. Add some finely chopped onions or capers. Or use bread and butter pickles for a sweeter version.
- Turn this into a spicy remoulade sauce by adding ½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.
- This sauce actually gets better after it sits for a while. I often make it a few hours before serving to let the flavors meld together. Just keep it covered in the fridge.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
good sauce but I kick it up with a teaspoon of horseradish