Tartar Sauce Recipe
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I was frustrated with store-bought tartar sauce; one disappointing can after another. Solution: homemade tarter sauce. Making your own is really easy. It’s fresh and amazing for these salmon cakes fish sticks or breaded fish fillets.
See those fish sticks there – yeah, those are from Costco. Maybe one day, I’ll make my own fish sticks, but for now, these are really good (the Trident brand). Sometimes I find that I eat more tartar sauce than fish stick (sounds gross, but this sauce is THAT GOOD!). This recipe stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.
Ingredients for Tartar Sauce:
1 cup real Mayonnaise
1 cup finely chopped dill pickles
1 Tbsp dill (fresh or frozen), OR 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped onion is good too, but optional (I usually skip it)
How to Make Tartar Sauce:
This is really complicated so pay attention. Are you ready?…
1. Combine everything in a mixing bowl and give it a good stir.
Tartar Sauce Recipe
Homemade Tartar Sauce is way better than any store-bought version. This has just the right taste and texture. It's perfect for fish sticks, or with crab cakes or salmon cakes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup real Mayonnaise
- 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp dill fresh or frozen, OR 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 2 Tbsp onion finely chopped, optional
Instructions
-
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
-
Add more lemon juice or pickles if desired.
Natasha Kravchuk
Mushroom and Egg Salad Recipe 
Cod Fish in Tomato Sauce Recipe 
Spicy Sausage Asparagus Quiche (VIDEO) 
Crab Cakes Recipe (VIDEO) 
Braised Potatoes with Pork 
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe 
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I’m planning on making this tonight to go with your salmon patties recipe. Just curious, mayo and pickles last a long time in the fridge. Why would the sauce only last 5-7 days? Thanks
Hi Karen, it’s the combination of ingredients. It will last longer if you leave the dill and onion out.
Ok, this is a FABULOUS recipe! I actually was planning on making Costco fish sticks for dinner tonight but didn’t have any tartar sauce so began looking for a recipe. I literally just finished making it and I am super happy! Made a small batch, kind of eyeballed the portions – rehydrated some dried minced onions, chopped up 2 Claussen pickle slices, added light mayo (all I had), a splash of lemon juice, a tiny bit of garlic powder, sugar, and a little bit of dried dill, and YUM!!! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Janet! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Dill pickles make the difference – brilliant. Anything from a store is based on vinegar pickles.
I’ve used parsley and dill plus doubled the garlic but it’s personal preference.
Anyhow best tartar sauce ever.
Love it! Thanks for sharing your preference with us, that helps!
Your Directions are So Confusing. So which order do the ingredients go in?????
LOL 🙂
There is definitely room for creativity in the order you add the ingredients. Ha ha! Your comment made me smile.
This was very good although it made over 2 cups which I will have a hard time using over the next week or so. Will make 1/2 the recipe next time.
Thanks for your good feedback, Jan!
Actually a question. Is 1 cup relish correct? if I use 1 cup mayo and 1 cup relish, plus the other ingredients, why does the finished product only make 1 and 1/2 cups?
Hi Jan, once the pickles are mixed with mayo, it’s closer to 1 1/2 cups – maybe slightly more.
This is such a good recipe! I’ve never made tartar sauce before, always bought it. But I will never buy it again!
Sounds like you found a new favorite Ariel!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Hello, Natasha, you are an amazing cook can you share please the fried fish recipe that it shows in the picture along with the tartar sauce🤗
Thank you so much, Rima. I don’t have a friend fish tutorial or recipe but I’ll note that on our suggestions list.
Hi. I love this recipe best I ever made. We never have any left overs. But if we did , how long can it stay in the fridge .
Thanks Natasha. 😊
Thank you so much for your good comments. The tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Wish I new I to post my pics
Made beef Mongolian
Delicious
Also made tre lece cake this morning. 💕 Super amazing. Thank you for all that you share with us
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed those recipes! Thanks for your good feedback.
We were thinking of using dill pickle relish rather than chopping dill pickles. Do you think it would ake a good substitute?
Hi Willie, I haven’t tried relish but I think it could still work fine as long as it isn’t a sweet relish which would change the flavor profile.
I love homemade tarter sauce but I’ve used my Mom’s recipe for years and years. All I use is mayo, chopped dill pickles, chopped onion, and a bit of dill pickle juice.
No salt or pepper. I can honestly say it’s very good.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Yvonne. I’m sure your mom’s recipe is awesome too!
PERFECT!!! BETTER THAN STORE BOUGHT!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that with me!
So good. I am never buying tartar sauce again. Even my husband liked it and he never does. Thank you
So great to hear that, Linda. Thank you so much for your good feedback!
In my humble opinion, in needs a heaping tablespoon of sour cream to finish. I used parsley as opposed to the dill as that is what I had. Great recipe though!
That sounds great and I will have to try it. Thank you!
You left out the one ingredient that turns mayo into tartar sauce.
Tsk!
Hi Grace, I hope you give our tartar sauce a try before making your decision. It is excellent.
Just like mine except I add fresh garlic as well…. sooo yummy!!
Yum! Great idea! Thank you for sharing that Andrea!
You hare HILARIOUS ! Love it
Outstanding, what a treat! Made with my teenager and we used Vegenaise for mayo (which is great egg-free alternative), homemade dill pickles, and chopped up dill from our pickles because we didn’t have fresh. Ea-sy!! Compelled me to review. Thank you, Natasha!
You’re welcome! I’m happy
you enjoyed that!
This tartar sauce is amazing. I don’t care much for tartar sauce but everytime I cook fish I have to make this. Delicious
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for your wonderful feedback, Cassie.
I had to do a little improvising because I only had few ingredients on hand. What I came up with was; only about a Tbsp of mayo (and then since I ran out I used plain greek yogurt for the mayo part instead), pickle, fresh dill (which I think is totally the key to the tartar sauce), a few cracks of black pepper, and that’s it! I didn’t have parsley, lemon, sugar, or onion. But it still tasted great, and especially with your salmon cakes recipe!! My boyfriend loved that meal. Next time I will have to try adding the rest of the ingredients when I have them. But it’s nice to know it still tastes good with fewer calories, so you can’t go wrong there ;). Thanks Natasha!!
Sounds great! I’m so glad your were able to make it work. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Finally a tartar sauce that taste amazing!!!! No more trying store-bought brands and no more making other recipes. This is a winner! My family and I love it. The only ingredient I omit is the sugar. To me it doesn’t need it. The tangy-ness is perfect without it. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I love to watch your recipes.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
i like to add a little horseradish
How long can u keep tartar sauce in the fridge?
Hi Janie, The tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
I tried it with just parsley because I didn’t have fresh dill and then opted to add a dash of dried–definitely needs the dill. Awesome sauce
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Luci!
The BEST tartar sauce I have ever tasted!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Lynn! Sounds like you found a new favorite!
The sauce came out great. I thought the quantity was too much for my family as I wanted to whip up some tarter sauce to go with the kids fish sticks. Next time I will make half the quantity needed for the recipe so the rest won’t go to waste.
Thank you for sharing that with us! The tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Loved it! Didn’t have fresh dill but used some dried and added a 1/2 teaspoon of horseradish.
Nice to know that Lena. Thank you so much!
would love to have your batter recipe for the cod. Looks amazing
& if you make your own mayonnaise it’s even better & you know what’s in it (added preservatives, &c.).
Into your blender put: one egg, approx. 3 T vinegar OR lemon juice OR [I often use] orange juice, ¼ – ½ t sugar, ¼ – ½ t salt, one pitted green olive [if you want that “olive oil effect], aprox 2 t mustard [Dijon, or anything, really]; then, start with ¼ c sunflower oil, start whizzing, & drizzle in more oil….until it thickens and stops integrating the oil instantly.
That’s it.
Costs almost nothing.
Thanks for sharing that with us!
Love this recipe and thoroughly enjoy all your recipe videos. I used pickle relish instead of chopping up the pickles and it was darn tasty.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Can I use dried dill for this instead? It’s hard to get fresh herbs where I am. Thanks!
That should work too, Claire.
Hi Claire, we prefer fresh but that should work.
Gotcha. Thank you!!
Did not have dill pickles, decided to use what I had – pickled onions! It was great. I still used the dill and I added a small amount of horseradish as someone else recommended. It was great!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! It has been so long since I have had a delicious tartar sauce like this one!
I did do a couple of variations based on what I had available. I used dried parsley and honey to taste. I also didn’t chop the pickles, but instead coarsely shredded them and discarded the pickle juice that they released.
Thank you again for posting such awesome recipes! Keep it up!!!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can this be frozen for future use?
Hi Marr, I honestly have not tried freezing it but I would be concerned about the ingredients separating. It’s not typically recommended to freeze mayo.
Do you have a recipe for
PETCHA ???
Jelled Calves Foot ???
Milo
miloli1@aol.com
Hi Milo, sorry but I don’t have a recipe for that.
I have made my own tartar sauce for the same reason, store bought just isn’t satisfying. But, I use dill relish instead of chopped dill pickles.
Thank you for sharing that with me!
The recipe calls for dill. Did you use the seed, or the leaf? I have both available fresh from my garden, when in season.
Hi Antony, we used dill leaf.
How long in the refrigerator before it should be thrown out?
Hi Shelly, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Thank you! I just made it for tonight. Had a little taste, yummy! Can’t wait to see how it tastes tonight!! I have loved all your recipes I’d made and I love your videos! Your humor is contagious
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Shelly!
Homemade tartar sauce with pre-made mayonnaise.
Yeah, that sure is homemade.
Hi Kevin, you are welcome to make your own mayonnaise. If there’s a specific recipe you use to make your own mayo, I would love to hear about it. I think most people appreciate the shortcut of using a staple in people’s pantries without having to make a homemade version, but you definitely can.
Could we have your DIY mayo recipe, please?
Bet you’re a hoot at parties.
Natasha, thank you for the recipe!
SPEECHLESS, BEST I’VE EVER EATEN!!!
Short but sweet compliment! Thank you.
The best tartar sauce ever! Thank you.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
Yummy! I’ll be trying your version. I use pickle jar vinegar instead of lemon juice and sugar. I put my tartar sauce on fries, sometimes mix it in tuna or chicken salad. I am the only person in my family eating tartar sauce. More for me!
I hope you love it! We look forward to your feedback.
The is exactly what a place here in town made and the owner called it her secret recipe tartar sauce. Thanks a bunch!!
I’m so glad you found our recipe!
Love the tarter sauce. If you find yourself in a pinch try “House Autry” brand it’s not homemade but not bad
Awesome I’ll make sure to check that out. Thanks for your great review I appreciate it!
I am one of your biggest fans! Love your enthusiasm and just being lively. Recipes are clear and delicious. I just made the Salmon cakes and tarter sauce. Both 5 stars. Thank you
Fantastic feedback! Thank you so much for the great review and your nice comments. I hope you love all the recipes that you try.
make my own but I cheat on the diced onion I put a teaspoon of pickle juice in the bowl with a teaspoon of dehydrated minced onion wait 2 mins. and you got it . you could use the lemon juice instead
Thanks for sharing that with us, Brenda! I hope you liked it.
How long will this Tartar Sauce keep in the fridge please and thanks
Hi Dorothy, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days
I love this recipe, especially with the finely diced onion. Delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Absolutely delicious! I will never use any other recipe again!!! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Janet! Thank you for that wonderful review!
I’ve been making this homemade tartar sauce since I was young (50 yeas ago (;D). Now that I am a Type 2 diabetic the only change I make is to use Stevia instead of sugar. My Mom’s fried fish would not be complete without it. She dipped the fish in beaten egg, dredged it in saltine cracker crumbs and fried it in canola oil. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
This is awesome! We loved it. I will never buy tartar sauce again. Thanks bunches!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite Amanda!
With Lent coming up I wanted a salmon patty like my granny used to make. These were exactly the same! Tarter sauce is perfect too. Thanks so much.
You’re welcome and thanks for your good feedback too!
Totally fabulous. The man loves it too. Thanks a bunch.
You’re welcome, Vivian! I’m so glad you liked this recipe.
ngl im not sure ifi will be able to remember that method
Hi Ron, the recipe will stay on the blog when you’re ready to make it.
Simply the best tarter sauce recipe.
I’m so glad to hear it, Dee! Thank you for your great review!
Just finished making the salmon patties and tartar sauce…delicious! The mayonnaise really helped bind the patty. Thank you I’ll be making this again…maybe tomorrow!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that awesome feedback, Dr. B
My 13 yr old loves this. I think he has me make salmon cakes for the dip only. I add about 1/3 cup of homemade milk kefir and skip the lemon because I’m not sure if it’ll curdle. He’s none the wiser and gets probiotics. Plus I cut back on some of the mayo. Thanks for this.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed this!
I’ve been cooking since I was 9 years old, and now, in my mid 70’s, I learned a new trick!!! When my daughter wants finely minced onions, she uses the grater plate on her mandolin!!! I’m impressed, since two of my four girls like onion, but hate feeling it on their tongue! I love your site!!!
That’s genius! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
So yummy! Make it every time I make the salmon patties.
The best combination! Thank you for stopping by!
This is without doubt our favourite tartare sauce recipe, so simple and so easy. Tartare sauce is one of the few things we really miss since relocating to Portugal, so thank you
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
I just made the tartar sauce went exactly by the directions and went to eat it taste like I was eating Dillpickle’s not very good at all
Hi Randy, you should be able to taste the dill pickle in there and that is normally a good thing. Did you maybe add too many pickles or maybe cut them too large?
I’m not a dill pickle lover, so I use a dill pickle, & sweet relish too! I also add some horseradish, but that’s just me!!! I like a little zing!
How long can you keep Tarter Sauce in refrigerator.?
Hi Barbara, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days
Just made this. Substituted dill relish for the chopped pickles and sugar… So yummy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This is sheer perfection!!! I’m yelling omg with every bite!
That’s just awesome!!!
Tartar sauce absolutely luv it why would you put Sugar in an age old traditional recipe and where are the must have Capers I luv your recipes but this time you definitely got it wrong If It Ain’t broke Dont Fix It SUGAR Doesn’t make things better it just makes them Fatter
I love the negative reviews, such as “it just tasted like dill pickles” or “why add sugar and where are the capers”…I guess these people don’t eat much tartar sauce, tarter sauce is basically mayo, pickles, and lemon juice. And I’m sorry but as much as I love capers and do put them in my tartar sauce, they are not “must have” in tartar sauce, they’re not even classically in the recipe. This tartar sauce is good.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us, John!
I’m a stickler for good grammar and using punctuation marks. Your’s is awful and diminishes whatever you’re trying to say. I was reading reviews for the recipe and had to let you know so you can improve it.
Thank you for that feedback, Gina.
Gina you are rude AF and could have kept that to yourself.
Gina,
Your’s is?
When you are indicating possession, yours is the correct choice—not your’s. You do not need an apostrophe to indicate possession because yours itself is a possessive pronoun.
In this sense, yours is similar to other possessive pronouns like its, whose, and ours. None of these words requires an apostrophe since they are already possessive.
We’re all entitled to our opinion, but we should be grateful that Natasha has shared such a wonderful recipe with us!
My family loves this recipe, but I hate to say I’ve adjusted it just a bit. We do not care for a “sweet” tartar sauce, so we omit the sugar. We only use 1/4 cup finely diced dill pickles, but add about 1/4 tsp (or more!) of hot horseradish sauce. We always add the finely diced onion. Again, this is a personal preference. Thank you so very much for such a delicious alternative to store-bought, artificial tartar sauce!
I am glad that it worked great with some adjustments that you made. Thank you for sharing that with us and for providing a great review!
Wow.
“Your’s” is awful?
Your comment was intended satire, I hope.
I haven’t tried making the salmon patties yet but I did try the tartar sauce which I loved. I was wondering though if the cup of pickles to a cup of mayo was not too much, It tasted lovely just that I got the impression that maybe it should have been half to two thrids cup pickles and more lemon juice. Would it be wrong to add a little more lemon juice, and parsley?
My question, how do you fit in cooking for your family, caring for the kids and then answering all your fans comments??? It must be so overwhelmingly time consuming and tiring to sift through the myriad of comments, and answer each one. And for all the recipes that you have too!!! Do you have someone helping you with that as in m y mind, I cannot wrap it around the amount of time it would take to answer all those comments. But thanks for taking it!! And for your wonderful recipes and videos.
Hi Elizabeth, you can definitely change that up to your taste preference and it should still work fine. It has grown into something bigger than we could handle on our own and I have 3 assistants that help me behind the scenes to manage our community. There is no way I could possibly do it all alone. My assistants are amazing and help me so much.
The best tartar sauce I have ever tasted. Kudos Natasha and all the best. God bless you.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
I just made this tartar sauce and it was fabulous. One question: how long does it keep?
Hi Lorraine, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Darn, I was hoping for longer since it makes so much. Thanks
Wonderful! Quick easy and sooo good! Added onion powder and used dill relish.
I’m so glad you enjoyed that! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Sorry. Comment intended for the salmon patty recipe. DUH!
That’s okay! Thank you for that awesome feedback!
You’re a cook after my own butter-loving heart. These are delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, David! Thank you for that great review!
I followed the recipe exactly and that tasted nothing like good tarter sauce ugh
Hi Joseph, I haven’t had that happen but I am more than happy to troubleshoot. Was anything altered in this recipe by chance?
I just made this to go with lunch, som fish fillets I cooked in my Air Fryer. Easily the best tartar sauce I’ve ever had! The only things I changed was adding a little bit of onion powdee (instead of diced onion) and I added a bit golf celery seed.
I’m so happy to hear that, Sierra! Sounds like you found a new family favorite!
I’m making your Tartar Sauce.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Thank you.
Hi Judy, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Have kept this in the frig for months, still good
Ooh yep
.. that’s a cracker tartare!
So easy and it’s spot on I reckon!
I dropped in a tblspn of sweet mustard pickles and a tblspn of sugar and it was super sickly sweet.
No dramas It was easy to get it back under control with more mayo.
Beutifull …
I did get pumped on it so much that I tucked buck into the fridge a then snuck in a tblspn of cream also just coz I’m fiesty for experimental opportunities with my cooking.
Regards.
Killer job
I’m glad you enjoyed that Kym. Thank you for that feedback!
I realized too late we were out of Tarter Sauce to go with our fish. I Googled and found your receipe. It is 10x better than store bought like most things are better homemade. I don’t know why I waited so long to try making it. It was so good. My family loved it. Now I am looking at your other receipes to try. Thank you!
Sounds like you found a new favorite Dorothy! Thank you for that awesome review!
This is sooo good. I used dill, and garlic pickles. It was great with your Salmon patties.
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Paula!
I’ve always added a touch of Ketchup to my tartar sauce. I think I got that from my grandma. I don’t see any recipes that call for it online. Do I come from a crazy family?
Honestly, I haven’t seen or tried that combination. If you like it then you like it. Nothing wrong with that 🙂
Nah, it’s just a tartar sauce trying to be thousand island dressing. Sometimes my grandma used chopped sweet pickles instead of dill.
Delicious and SUPER fast and easy.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Hello there, dear Natasha! This is Sophia from Athens Greece I couldn’t help comenting on this recipe since it’s the first one of yours I tried. I just made it for my 18years old twins, hoping that it would get my son finally eat the fish he constantly avoids – since he’s a strict meat lover. I wanted you to let you know that… goal achived and I cannot thank you enough! As for my daughter (on the contrary huge fish_lover and vegeterian as well) was like “mmhhh mmhhh” while enjoying this beautiful sauce! Thank you! I found your channel on facebook by accident (as good things usually happen) then did some more research and I must say that I love the way you present everything about cooking. I love the simplicity, I love the clarity, plainess and neatless of your recipes, I love the touch of chic on the editing of your channel and videos.
I wish all the best to you and your family, keep up the great job and be sure that I’ve already marked several of your recipes to try in my kitchen asap. I really like them all and I’m so glad that I found your so fine meal_suggestions. Thank you very very much!
I’m so happy you love our recipes, Sophia! Thank you so much for the fantastic review and your encouraging words. I am smiling big reading your comment
I made this exactly as it says (unusual for me). It was perfect! I did use the onion (red onion) and fresh dill and let it all sit for about an hour or more. Served it with fresh deep fried cod sandwich. I won’t buy store bot again. Great!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I caught myself in a pinch today. I cooked fish and low and behold no tartar sauce. I came across your recipe and decided to give it a try “Very Good” I did have to alter a little bit because I didn’t have enough dill pickles so used a little sweet relish and turned out great. Will make from now on instead of store bought and make sure I have all the supplies. Thank you for sharing…
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
My favorite is: Mayo, Onion, Sweet Pickle Relish, lemon juice. My go to tartar sauce recipe.
That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing that!
Claussen pickles
Being from the South I’ve been making tartar sauce for years, but never with a recipe. the unknown variant is always the dill pickle. I’m curious if you have found a reliable favorite; my wife has never met a dill pickle she couldn’t eat, but I’m a bit pickier. Oh, by the way, never leave out leave out the onion…finely diced or even grated, amount to taste, Vidalia if you can get them or other sweet variety…just sayin’… 🙂
Bill
Hi Bill! We definitely prefer homemade over here! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
I’m assuming you use your aunt’s recipe. Have you ever tried halving the cokes before pickling?
Hi Bill, we usually put them in the jar whole – do you prefer to halve them?
I’ve only ever made bread and butter pickles before; but thought perhaps halving would mature them sooner. But on second thought that might also negatively impact crispiness…which by my reckoning is the holy grail of pickle making.
While I’ve got you…I’m not sure if I’ll be able to lay my hands on dill with the flower; would a teaspoon of dried dill be an acceptable alternative ?
Thanks again
I think that will work Bill! Let me know how you like that if you experiment!
how long will this keep in the fridge?
Hi Angela, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
If my mayo is good for a year from now, and seems to be the only real ing. that can spoil, why then do you say this only keeps 5/7 days in fridge? I’m making it now.
Hi Terry, it’s more for the onion and dill which are more perishable.
OK, thank you. I’m using a dry dill, so didn’t think of it that way. Terry
Should there be a little Cream of Tartar in Tartar sauce ??
Hi Bob, Cream of Tartar isn’t a common ingredient in tartar sauce. I’ve seen one recipe with it online which surprised me since Cream of Tartar is usually known for it’s usefulness in baking and not tartar sauce.
Hullo Bob. I replied on this quite sometime back. Yes, you do need a bit of cream of tartar in it – 1/8 to 1/4 tsp, depending on howmuch tanginess you want in your sauce. Modern tastes may have changed, but that is how my 1916 vintage grandmother taught me back in the 70’s. The cream of tartar gives it that little something extra that modern sauces miss. It is also how TARTAR sauce got its name.
Trident’s fish sticks are the best. I have been a supplier of their packaging and the QC is outstanding. I have watched them made on the line and what a QC job they do. You will not know how well their QC is, above the industry. Did you know the largest consumer of fish sticks is Germay??
That’s amazing!! Thank you for sharing that with me!
I worked QC in Our fish plant, and at the end of every day I worked the Mince Machine for fish sticks. It was comprised of all the trimmer’s V-Bones from the days work and never quality checked for parasites. Have not ate a fish stick since..
This is basically the same recipe I have used for years, but I also add some capers.
That’s so awesome! Thank you for sharing that with me, Farrel!
Excellent recipe.. My mom always made homemade tartar and cocktail sauces. My question is, what mayo or salad dressing do you prefer for recipes like this particular one? It’s always a toss up for me between Hellmans and Miracle Whip… What is your go-to mayo?
Hi Shawnee, I always use Real Mayonnaise and not miracle whip and I do go between different brands – Hellmans’s or Best Foods, or Real Mayo.
Best to make sure the mayo does NOT contain canola oil.
If you have a source of freshly laid eggs, homemade is best. Youtube has great videos on how to easily make fresh mayo using a stick blender, and you control the ingredients and flavor.
Thank you for sharing that DJ.
I just gotta jump in here, lol, there is (to me) NOTHING to compare to the taste of DUKES Mayo, it’s mild, and just makes alllll taste so much better, there is to me a slight bitter aftertaste with other mayos. I buy the regular and the lite, love it! And using it now with this.
Yeah Terry! Another Duke’s fan!!!! Nothing better!
Dukes and Hellman’s…same company…both good.
Just recently found Duke’s and am waiting to open it. Good to see a positive review on it. I am fussy about maho and wonder why sme folks don’t realize Hellman’s is mayo and Miracle Whip is saad dressing and has sugar in it. Mayo does not.
I do this but if I don’t have dill pickles a little green relish works too
Thank you for sharing that with us, Bonnie!
Thanks so much for including all the comments; I got some great ideas from them. I can’t eat pickles, so I think I will try finely chopped pickled okra (I get it at Walmart). The vinegar has already reduced the slime, and I’ll rinse it and pat dry to further reduce it. I really appreciate your blog.
I’m so happy that was helpful! I hope you love this recipe!
This Tartar Sauce recipe is the same way my son makes his homemade version except instead of sugar he uses Old Bay!! SO good!!! I will have to show him your version!! Love all your recipes AND your videos!!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review 🙂
I make this recipe with a slight variation. I substituted the bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds for a Keto friendly version. The cakes and tartar sauce are to die for!
Natasha, thank you for sharing this recipe. I recommend your channel to everyone! This is a definite hit at potlucks.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Jen 🙂 I’m so happy you found a favorite on our blog!
I am never ever buying tartar sauce again. I use my home made dill pickles and I didn’t skimp with the seasonings.I used onion powder,just a little. Wonderful stuff ! I can’t wait to check out other recipes on your blog.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!.
This is an excellent recipe.
I used my own homemade mayo and my MIL’s carrot pickles instead of dill pickles. I also added a minced clove of garlic, but otherwise followed the recipe as written.
A keeper I will make again and again.
Sounds like you found a new favorite! Thank you for sharing your awesome review with me!
What kind /brand of dill pickles do you use? I love to eat pickles but I only like the good deli type ones like boars Head or claussen; but I’m thinking the cheap “picklier” ones that are bright green might add more flavor?
Hi, I think you’re right about the cheap picklier ones – they seem to add more of a vinegary punch, but the Boars Head and Claussen are also good.
Tartar sauce should include the same ingredients as a steak tartar: pickles, shallots (not onion), and capers. There should be enough acid from the capers and pickles, plus that in the mayo, to not need to add lemon juice, though it’s a question of taste. As are the optional parsley or dill. Generally, if you need these other ingredients, there’s too much mayo and not enough capers, pickles and shallots.
In your recipe, there are certainly not enough capers!
Thank you for sharing that with us!
Made it last night to go with fishcakes. Only had cornichons pickled with chili. Wow did that add a fantastic kick! Thanks Natasha.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
YOU ALREADY HAVE SO MANY HAPPY FANS, BUT I JUST HAVE TO COMMENT ANYWAY. THIS STUFF IS TO DIE FOR! HUSBAND, 2 TWEENS AND A TEEN INHALED IT WITH SLOPPY SALMON PATTIES TONIGHT.
THANK YOU.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review 🙂
I use cilantro instead of dill in mine and never had the exact measurements- I use to hate fish till I started making my own tartar sauce -can’t wait to try yours with dill- also add a little sour cream
I hope you love it, Sue!
How long will this keep in refrigerator?
Hi Elaine, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Can I use dill pickle relish rather than cutting up dill pickles?
I haven’t tried relish but I think it could still work fine as long as it isn’t a sweet relish which would change the flavor profile. 🙂
I added some lemon zest for a little more lemon flavor
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Really super alagoshus good
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Simply amazing! This is my go to recipe. I always double the recipe and add a tbsp on minced garlic as well. The onions are a must for me but I beyond mince them so my kids don’t even know I added any! Thanks for a superb recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Thanks for the recipe! I was making fish and chips last night and realized our bottle of tartar sauce was expired! I didn’t have ALL your ingredients on hand, but I had mayo, tangy dill relish, lemon juice and fresh cracked pepper. So I can’t say I made your recipe exactly, but you certainly inspired me (and helped with knowing proportions to make my own). I’ll never buy store-bought tartar sauce again, especially since it always seems to expire before I can finish it!
I love that you were able to make this work, Monica!! Thank you for the wonderful review!
easy and delicious went amazing with the salmon cakes ! 🙂
Isn’t it the perfect combination! Thanks for your feedback!
This tartar sauce is awesome. I will never buy store bought again. I’d give it 10 stars…its that good.
Wow! Thank you for this amazing review, Addison!
This is so good! I make it just as the recipe specifies.
Very satisfying and I liked the hint of lemon. Goes great with our beer-battered cod we like to eat.
Thank you!
Yes! So perfect with beer battered cod! Thank you for the awesome review, Joy!
This is my first time making Tartar Sauce. It’s really good. I didn’t have dill or parsley so I just left them out. Yummy!
That’s so great! Thank you for sharing that with us!
This recipe was awesome. Best tarter sauce recipe I’ve ever made. I only substituted Vegenaise for the Mayo for a slightly healthier option. I also used 1/2 Tspn of Dill and 1/2 Tbspn of Parsley. Thx for sharing your recipe!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Michelle! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Dear Natasha! I make home made dill pickles,my grandma recipe,I always use the dill from the pickles for recipes like this and for my yogurt tziziki,the dill flavor is so much richer than the fresh ones in this kind of recipes ! When people ask me how do I get this flavor in this recipes I tel them “my secret”!!! You really should try!!! But then you will need my grandma’s perfect and sooo eazy to make recipe!!! “Estusha”s dill pickles” ! I will be more than happy to share it offcors!!! 😊💗I will make your Tartar and I will put chopped fresh chives instead of onions(not cooked onions are to sharp for me I use green onions or chaives)and I will let you know how it was(for us here in tel Aviv -beautiful Israel!)by the way,is it fish in the photo next to the Tartar? Look’s solo yummm! Can I have the recipe?? And exactly what fish you used? Thank you very very much! And so sorry for the loooooong massage!!! Dont know what happened to me today…sorry!😏☺️😍
Hi Yaeli! Yes, please share that with us, we love to hear about new recipes from our readers. I really appreciate the longer but thoughtful messages!recipe here, please enjoy!
This is the best tartar sauce ever! And you’re right, no more store bought ones for me ever again! And I love love love your salmon cake recipe and have made it many times now and it’s always a big hit with the family. Thank you Natasha for all your amazing recipes!
You are very welcome. Thank you for giving this recipe a try!
I don’t like tartar sauce, do you think it’s going to taste good with some lemon aioli?
Hi Yailenne. Which recipe are you referring to? 🙂
Oh sorry! I was talking about the salmon cakes recipe. I’ve just try it and it was awesome!
Oh thank you for clarifying! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
My husband loved and I did too
Hi Sarah! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
I added a tbsp of capers [well-drained] – it was really tasty
That sounds really good! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This recipe was awesome including the tartar sauce recipe! Just make sure you follow the directions to the T. Be certain to use unsalted butter and the salmon/croquettes will turn out awesome! I even made the homemade tartar sauce it was simply marvelous! I think my friend for sending this to me through Facebook. I think it was Olivia thanks a lot! Love you!
Thank you for your thoughtful review! I’m so happy you all enjoyed this!
Hi! Greetings from Brazil! The land of barbecue parties, sunny beaches and great carnival balls! I do love american recipes.
Is there any sour cream recipe? Unfortunately in Brazil there is no sour cream ready to use and we do have to prepare it at home. Can you Help me? Thanks a lot, Mucio
Hi Mucio. Sour Cream is a fairly simple recipe including whipping cream and buttermilk. I would recommend a simple google search for a recipe. I hope this helps.
Looks like something to make tonight.
Awesome! Enjoy!
Has anyone tried this recipe with sweet pickles instead of dill pickles? I would leave out the sugar if I used sweet pickles.
Yes! Some of readers reporting this working great with sweet pickles!
Holy moly this is good. I left out the sugar since I like my tartar sauce more on the tart side and used my own homemade mayo. I’m a tartar sauce on everything kind of girl and now that I can make it at home makes me so happy. Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you for the wonderful review!
Thank you so much for the tartar sauce recipe! I will never buy store bought again. It’s easy and fresh, and the onion gave it that certain something! I will be subscribing and following your blog so that I don’t miss a thing!
I’m so happy you discovered our blog. Welcome! 🙂
I loved your recipe so much, I saved it on the computer. Then my hard drive went belly up. I had to search for it again by telling it I wanted a recipe that used 1 cup dill pickles. Best recipe ever. I use a spice grinder to finely chop the dill pickle.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for that great review!