Tartar Sauce Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I use chopped green olives with the pimento..finely chopped fresh green onion (or any onion if not available) sometimes bread &butter pickles if you don’t have olives … m..many ways to change. It up !?!
There sure are! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Delicious. I used relish instead of pickles. I added mustard.
I refrigerated before serving on
Crab cakes and arugula.
Ty
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Tried this tonight for the first time. My hubby loved it. I had to use dry parsley & dill, didn’t have the fresh on hand. He already had cooked the fish & decided he wanted tarter sauce. I had to mix something quick. Won’t buy the stuff in the jar again. This was quick & simple. So much better for you without all the sodium! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Thank you for the wonderful review!
Hi Natasha…just wondering what you mean by ‘real mayonnaise’? Love your recipes!
Hi Marcia, the packaging/ bottle should say “Real” on it. We used Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise.
can you use dry dill instead of fresh for the tarter sauce?
can you use dry dill for the tarter sauce?
Hi Helene, we prefer fresh but that will work.
I am making it now with dry and I read that you use 1/3 the amount.
Hi Helene, that will work too. I hope you love it!
Did you do your own mayo? I’m not trying to be cleaver just asking. Fish fingers, it’s so easy to make yourself from fresh fish. Make the effort and you’ll find it even better even though I understand that you’re happy with it now. Just take the next step and you might be even happier. Happy cooking!
Hi Goran, I love that suggestion and thank you for sharing! A homemade mayo tutorial would be fun.
Hello Natasha,I’m from Philippines.So thankful that I found your channel because I love all your recipes its simple and taste good.and this tartar sauce awesome! Iove mayo it’s always been my best choice for sauces.wow,thanks to this.
Hi Chariz, that’s so great to hear. Thank you for sharing that with us, I’m glad that you’re enjoying my recipes!
First time leaving a rating on a recipe but this one deserves it for sure. We didn’t want to go out and buy jarred sauce so I found this recipe and WOW, we will never buy jarred sauce again. This was delicious on the grouper sandwiches my husband made last night. Thank you so much!
Hello Pam, you are very welcome! Thank you for your awesome review and feedback, we appreciate it!
Another excellent recipe for the tartar sauce. I didn’t have the pickles but had unsweetened dill relish. Worked perfectly!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that great review, Patricia!
My husband couldn’t find any tartar sauce at the store so I found your recipe and whipped this up for him. He was definitely pleased with the outcome. We’ll never buy it from the store again! Thank you
We never buy it anymore either! This is so fresh and tasty! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Monica!
I don’t know about onions but i added 2 table spoons of Vodka 🙂
How did it go?
I made the salmon cakes and tartar sauce. Both were delicious! I added a bit of chopped pickled jalepenos to the sauce to give it a little spice – it worked well.
Hello Kitty, I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the salmon cakes and this tartar sauce. Thanks for your awesome review!
I made the salmon cakes and tartar sauce for dinner, and they were excellent. The tartar sauce at the supermarket has some scary ingredients listed, but this was very quick, easy and delicious. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Jude. I’m glad you liked this recipe!
Wonderful last minute in home date night. Fresh fish in a rice flour mix, topped with this great recipe and most ingredients from our garden thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
How long does this stay good? It’s lent season and we have quite a bit left over!
Hi Shantel, I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe. The tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Very easy and delicious i used the small grater on my cheese grater to add around 1 tsp of onion/juice and dried dill because it was all I had available very quick sauce and tasty
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing that with us, Sal and I’m glad you loved this recipe.
I always make a homemade tartare sauce. My version doesn’t have lemon or sugar, but does have capers. I also add some of the liquid from the pickles (called gherkins here in Australia!).
Thanks for sharing, Deb! I hope you can try our version too.
Soooooo delicious! I made it with homemade bread and butter pickles/onions so I didn’t add any sugar. The dill adds a pop of fresh flavor! I halved the recipe because usually we have a lot left over but we didn’t have any left this time. It’s a keeper. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Love this tartar sauce recipe! So easy, so good, and much better than store bought tartar sauce! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Colette! I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe!
We made it last minute. It was easy, quick and delish. LOVE IT.
Glad you loved it, Michael! Thanks for your great review.
Excellent tartar sauce. I used scallions and add a touch more lemon juice. I placed the pickles, herbs (I used both dill and flat parsley) and scallions in my food processor to get them all finely chopped.
Great idea! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Hi, Natasha!
I follow you from Danmark (for the time being, as I live in Panama) and I love your recipes.
Me, when I make tartar sauce, I like to make it with 2/3 cup mayonnaise and 1/3 cup greek yogurt (well-drained) and I also add a tablespoon of mustard. I too don’t like the onion, so I leave it out. The rest of the ingredients I use are just the same as in your recipe.
(I have to tell you that my whole family is crazy about this sauce – we absolutely love it!)
Wish you all the best!
That’s so great, Vio! Thank you for sharing your version with us. I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe.
I love tartar sauce, and this was delicious and so easy!! One question – how long should it keep in the fridge?
I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe. The tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Lovely flavours that compliment the fish.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I had never made my own tartar sauce before but our bottle had expired. I made this and added a bit of extra Mayo and yellow mustard. It is so fresh tasting. I’m never buying it again. Thanks!
This does sound good. I usually add capers to mine, but not everyone is a fan.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Wow! The best tartar sauce ever. You weren’t kidding about it being better than store bought! Hands down a keeper! Made this to go with your salmon cake recipe. Utterly fabulous!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
You are simply amazing Natasha! Love everything about you! The recipes, the cleanliness, your pretty face and the fun you add to the videos. Its an utter pleasure watching you unfold magic in your kitchen and we get to enjoy the same! Bless your heart. Stay safe and healthy!
Hi Amy, thank you so much for the sweet and thoughtful comment. I sure appreciate you!
Excellent recipe!! I don’t even like tarter sauce. I made this for my husband and I ended up eating most of it. Thank you very much for sharing.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Shiela!
Delicious tartar sauce thank you for sharing. I substituted a couple shakes of onion powder for the onions and it was great.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Don’t worry Natasha, I love tartar sauce so much I even like to dip french fries in it. It’s great, lol.
HI NATASHA, CAN WE SUBSTITUTE PICKLES FOR SOMETHING ELSE?
Hi Annie, I honestly haven’t tried anything else for this recipe. Someone shared this “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!”
The best tartare sauce and soooo simple !! I have tried so many sauces over the past years and wasn’t really happy with any of them. Thanks a million for this simple recipe !!! Love gron Canada
Leslie
You are most welcome, Leslie. It’s my pleasure to be able to share recipes that you enjoy!
This looks very good (and easy!) I scrolled many of the comments, so if someone has already asked this, I missed it….you suggested fresh or frozen??? dill, what about dried? How much would you suggest, same amount or less? Thanks so much!
Love all your recipes.
May I ask what Brand and kind of dill pickles do u use for this.
Thank you for your help.
Hi Nanci, I have used a variety with great results: Nalley, Mt Olive, Vlasic, etc. I would suggest using your favorite dill pickles. I’ve also used full-sized dill pickles and baby dills. Both work great. Just avoid the sweet dills like the bread and butter types.
Thank you
Love your videos. I like to use bread & butter pickles in the tartar sauce. I like the tang. Just sayin. Barb from Anaheim, CA
Sounds good, Barbara. Thanks for sharing!
I made your tartar sauce! It was delicious!!
Glad you loved it, Ann!
This is AMAZING!!! So simple. My husband tried it and he does not generally care for Tarter Sauce and called it “Damn Girl…Thats good!!! Sauce.
I put the pickles in a mini chopper and they were done in seconds. Super quick. Was a great compliment to our shrimp dinner.
5 Stars for this one.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
These sound so good. Do you use Italian parsley or curly parsley in your cooking?
Hi Vi, we used dill for this recipe but parsley is a great substitute. You can use Italian parsley for this recipe. I hope that is helpful!
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.
Willie, I’m sure you have already discovered your answer. I did use dill relish and it was fine, just not the juices. I also use local honey for my sweetener rather than sugar when I make this.
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.
Thanks ! Just made it tonight and it was delicious, will make more fish just to have the tartar sauce again.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that with me Betsy!
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!!
dont forget dried should be much less than fresh.
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!