Try this homemade tartar sauce, and you’ll never want store-bought again. This has amazing flavor and texture with every bite. It’s perfect as a dip for fish sticks, crab cakes, or a spread for seafood sandwiches.

Try this quick and easy tartar sauce recipe and you'll never want store-bought again! | NatashasKitchen.com

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Homemade Tartar Sauce

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.

My Aunt Anna taught me how to make this Tartar Sauce recipe – she learned it in culinary school, and this is the recipe they made in their restaurant. I’ve probably made this a hundred times, and my fishstick-loving teenage son makes it regularly. It’s our go-to because it’s so easy to make, has simple ingredients and keeps really well in the fridge.

See those fish sticks in the photo – 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 sticks (sounds gross, but this sauce is THAT GOOD!). This recipe stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.

Tartar Sauce Video

Watch my easy video tutorial, and you’ll have this recipe memorized in no time!

Try this quick and easy tartar sauce recipe and you'll never want store-bought again! | NatashasKitchen.com

Ingredients for Tartar Sauce

  • Real Mayonnaise – you can use your favorite storebought mayo or homemade mayonnaise
  • Dill pickles – I prefer baby dills for extra crunch since they have more surface area.
  • Dill (or) Parsley – you can use fresh or frozen – it adds freshness.
  • 1 tsp lemon juice – freshly squeezed is best
  • 1 tsp sugar – this balances the sauce, but you can add it to taste
  • Pepper – freshly cracked smells and tastes the freshest
  • Onion – it’s 2 Tbsp of chopped onion, and it’s optional (I usually skip it when I’m feeling lazy to chop an onion).
Tartar Sauce Recipe

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. Done!

Tartar Sauce Recipe-8

Serve Tartar Sauce With

There are so many great uses for Tartar Sauce, from a dipping sauce to sandwiches. Outside of fish sticks, we love it with:

Try this quick and easy tartar sauce recipe and you'll never want store-bought again! | NatashasKitchen.com

Storing Tartar Sauce

Homemade Tartar Sauce keeps really well in the refrigerator. Transfer to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate. It is best enjoyed within 1 week but can last up to 2 weeks.

Tartar Sauce Recipe

4.98 from 952 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Try this quick and easy tartar sauce recipe and you'll never want store-bought again! | NatashasKitchen.com
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.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 servings or 1 1/2 cups total
  • 1 cup 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.

Nutrition Per Serving

196kcal Calories1g Carbs1g Protein21g Fat3g Saturated Fat12mg Cholesterol334mg Sodium22mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar51IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C10mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Tartar Sauce Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
196
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
12
mg
4
%
Sodium
 
334
mg
15
%
Potassium
 
22
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
51
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
10
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Tartar Sauce
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 196
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
Try this quick and easy tartar sauce recipe and you'll never want store-bought again! | NatashasKitchen.com

More Homemade Condiments and Sauces

4.98 from 952 votes (608 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Rachel Bailey
    February 15, 2025

    I have made this tartar sauce countless times exactly as given and it is the most amazing tartar sauce! Everyone is serve it to with fish and chips raves about it! If you want a fantastic recipe, this one is the end all be all! Nova Scotian born and raised!

    Reply

  • Lydia Sansanowicz
    February 15, 2025

    Question: What brand baby dill pickles do you recommend? There are many to choose from with different tastes. Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 15, 2025

      Hi Lydia! I don’t have specific brand to recommend. I have used a few. I prefer baby dills.

      Reply

  • Tamerat Letta
    February 15, 2025

    I love tartar sauce. I am going to try and make this. I will use it with everything I can. Thank you for this.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 15, 2025

      You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Tamerat!

      Reply

  • Nadine Wright-Koser
    February 15, 2025

    I must say, this is the same recipe I have been using for over 50 years! I found this recipe the first time in a Recipe Copycat book from the 70’s for McDonald’s tartar sauce.
    For the last five years I have been adding capers to this recipe which added a nice little addition.

    Reply

  • Louella
    February 14, 2025

    Hi Natasha, never mind fish. I have used this tartar sauce recipe on tuna, salmon, chicken, egg salad, ham and cheese and a BLT sandwich. I cannot be without it. Thank you for this recipe.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 14, 2025

      Agreed! It’s delicious on so many other things.

      Reply

  • Travis Castillo
    February 9, 2025

    Just what I needed for the Gorton’s fish filets I was saving for a night when I’m too lazy to cook. Store-bought tartar sauce costs too much for such a tiny bottle. There’s a dozen mustards, mayos, and ketchups, but only two different tartar sauces at my local HEB for some reason.

    Reply

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