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.
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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!
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).
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!
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:
- Crab Cakes
- Shrimp Cakes
- Fish Tacos
- Salmon Patties
- Onion Rings
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Grilled Salmon Sandwich
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
Ingredients
- 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
Filed Under
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!