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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
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.
Can I substitute fresh dill or parsley with dried? If I can, how much should I use? Thank you!
Hi Dawn, we prefer fresh for best flavor but dry will work too. Add it to your taste preferences. A general rule of thumb for the dried-to-fresh herb ratio: Use one-third the amount of dried herb for the fresh herb called for in the recipe.
Question for Natasha – did you use a white onion or yellow? Looking forward to making this!
Hi Megan, I used yellow onion.
It was delicious! I will use this every time instead of store bought – thanks
Glad to hear that, Barbara!
I love this recipe, extremely tasty. thanks for sharing. 5 stars all the way.
I made it with the salmon cakes which turned out delicious.
Thanks so much for the 5 stars and great feedback!
I love this recipe, extremely tasty. thanks for sharing. 5 stars all the way.
This was soooo delicious I was tempted to just eat it with a spoon! So easy to make. I’ll never buy tartar sauce again. Next time I make tuna salad I’m going to add this. I think it will be fantastic!! Thank you Natasha. I am never disappointed with your recipes.
You’re so welcome, Dawn! I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe and all the recipes you’ve tried. Thank you for your wonderful review.
How long can this be kept when refrigerated? Thank you.
Hi Sonja! I have a note in the blog post above. This recipe stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.
5 stars all the way! I love this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing.
This recipe is delicious enough to eat with a spoon! I used Dave’s spicy sweet pickles, dill pickles, and pickled shallots plus about a tsp of each of the brines from the respective jars. I chopped the pickles, shallots and onions in a mini food processor and added dried dill and parsley, 1/2 tsp sugar, lemon juice and mayo. After tasting it, it went in the fridge where it will sit until it gets served with scallops tonight. Never again will I buy processed tartar sauce. Thank you for a great recipe!
Thank you for trying my recipe, Debbie! I’m glad it was enjoyed.
Well Natasha I would just like to say that folks should use your recipe as a guide line mix and add to your own taste. I use sweet and dill pickles plus some juice from both with mayo and dried dill and homemade celery salt and a bunch of chopped onion. You totally have the base recipe down that is so much better then anything the stores offer I just wish folks would start with your recipe and modify to there own taste instead of complaining. Step out of your bubble folks and experiment for your own taste.ty Natasha for posting the recipe we have both almost neen making the same for years
Hi Bob! Thank you so much.