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
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hi
so think your posts r great
haven’t tried your receipts .. yet,, but plan on soon
thank you
Thanks, Linda. Hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
Amazing! Awesome! Easy! And perfect! We fried some fish and had roasted asparagus, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts for the side. This was perfect!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Heidi! Thank you so much for sharing that great review with me.
I have been making tartar sauce like this for years, but I also add capers. Not everyone likes them, but if you do, they are a nice addition. I also added fresh parsley, finely chopped, because I had some in the crisper. I literally just made this tonight to have with halibut!
Thank you for your suggestions, glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Very tasty sauce, I mix half and half Greek yoghurt and kewpie Mayo instead of all Mayo.
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing and we’re glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Just spotted it keeps a few days in the fridge. I also forgot to give you a rating, it’s way better than tge allowed 5 stars.
Thank you, Susie. We appreciate that!
Wow, amazingly delicious. I’ll never buy store bought Tartare Sauce ever again. I made it exactly as stated and without onions. Btw, how long does it keep in the fridge?
Thanks for the great review, Susie. The tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
I was in a pinch for tarter sauce. This is fabulous. I did add 1 teaspoon of grated onion. Thank you for a great recipe. No more store bought .
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Ann!
Little bit finer cuts, no sugar and 2 tbsp of white wine instead of lemon. Perfection.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was the best tartar sauce that I have tasted added the onion
excellent
That’s so great, Ann! It’s my favorite also!
Sour cream is a good alternative to mayo for a healthier tartar sauce, cleaner with a less oily taste.
Thanks for the tip, Daniel!
Add a couple of TB of Trader Joe’s chili lime mayonnaise. Wow! Can also add some hot sauce or ground chilis to taste.
Sounds delicious!
This tartar sauce is so good! Very easy and quick to make as well. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Brooke. Thank you for your good comments and feedback!
Live the recipe. It is also a good recipe to mix with tuna for a great sandwich!
Sounds good, Carol. Enjoy!
I added some garlic powder, paprika and vinegar! The vinegar gave more tang!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Chasity!
Love this! I use Bubbies dill pickle relish (no sugar added) to make my life easier, and also because it’s DELICIOUS! But your additions make this spectacular! For those in the Treasure Valley, you can find Bubbies in the refrigerated section at Boise CoOp. Thanks, Natasha!
Thank you for sharing, Haley! I appreciate the review and I am so happy you enjoy this recipe.
Very good the best easy fast the only thing next time I will last the dill pickles in my small chopper
Awesome
Thank you for sharing, Lorraine. I am happy you enjoyed this recipe.
Delicious! Like some of the other people that have posted I was making fish for lunch and the tartar sauce I had in my refrigerator was expired so I googled tartar sauce recipes and yours was the first one that popped up I did not have everything I subbed miracle whip for the mayonnaise dried parsley for the fresh parsley and pickle relish for the pickles and it actually turned out delicious although I will try it the other way when I have all of the ingredients but don’t be afraid to sub out what you don’t have it came out delicious!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Julie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I just made this and and it is….just that good. I added the optional onion. I will NEVER buy tarter sauce again. Thank you so much for this recipe.
You’re welcome, Donna. Yes, that’s right! No more store-bought tartar sauce moving forward!
This was wonderful! I will always have these staples on hand…(or dried dill and parsley rplacements)
Thank you for sharing!.
You’re welcome, Susan. Thanks for your good comments and feedback!
what’s the shelf life of this tartar sauce? We have some type of fish several times a week. It would be great to be able to make a batch for a week or so.
Hi Lynda, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days. You can use it to top other fish recipes.