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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Just like everything you make, this was simple and yummy. I think one of the best things about all your recipes and I have made many, is that you make it simple without some exotic ingredient so home cooks can easily make any of your wonderful recipes. Loved it.
Hello Dayna, that’s wonderful feedback. Thank you for sharing that with us! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Thanks so much for sharing this amazing recipe! I realized we had run out of our usual tarter sauce (K^*%t) and needed something quick since all the grocery stores were closed. Found your recipe and tried it, and the entire family LOVED IT! In fact, they loved it so much they asked me to stop buying the grocery store brand I had been using for as long as I can remember! It’s so quick to make, delicious and full of flavor, and I know exactly what is in it. Thank you again for sharing your wonderful recipe! *Kids told me to comment so other families would benefit from the homemade version of tarter sauce too!
Love it, thank you for sharing that wonderful feedback with us!
I would dearly love to try some of your fantastic looking recipes, but when it says click here for recipe and I click…nothing happens! Can’t get the recipe to open at all! What is the matter?
Hi LIn-Lin, I recommend trying out another device or internet connection as all my recipes are working at the moment.
Delicious! I just added 1 clove of garlic and it was amazing 😋
Thank you for sharing, Wilma. I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe.
Hello again. Since I was sick with covid and recovered thank God. Well I had alot time on my hands so I discovered you on the utube channel. Can’t wait to try your recipes so easy. Ooh Can’t wait till your cookbook comes out.
Hi Debra! I’m glad you found my channel. I hope you love my recipes. Let us know which ones you try and how you like them. 🙂
Made this last night to serve with pan seared Rock Fish. This is without a doubt the best Tartar Sauce I’ve EVER had ANYWHERE. The freshness imparted by the fresh parsley, the brightness from the fresh squeezed lemon juice and the bit of chunkiness from the finely chopped dill pickle and onion. I have fresh dill growing in my garden so I’ll try that next time. I might even try substituting greek yogurt for a different taste. I don’t buy premade dressings or sauces like Tartar sauce because I find great recipes like this.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Maria!
Mayo is the worst! I made it with Greek yogurt and it was a hit!
Thank you Natasha. I just made the tarter sauce and it is delicious. I ask my daughter if she like tarter sauce and she said no and I said well I won’t make any and she said oh if you are going to make it then. After I made it she tasted it and gave me a thumbs up. Thank you again. Stay safe and take care.
Sounds like you found a new favorite, Twila! I’m so glad you both enjoyed it!
I substituted lime juice for lemon because I didn’t have lemon, dill relish drained for dill pickle, dried dill weed, lowrys garlic salt with parsley, minced garlic and the rest the way your recipe called for and it was awesome! Thank you, better than any bought tartar sauce!!!
That sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Very simple yet bang on!! I was making some last minute fish and didn’t have tarter sauce and I was in a rush so I always look for something quick and simple and this recipe is exactly what I was looking for 🙂
So glad you found this recipe, Natalie. Thank you for sharing.
Skip the sugar, onion and pickles. Use sweet relish instead.
Oh that’s Brilliant. Love shortcuts and of course less work. 😉
This is so good and a great recipe. Please try a few minced capers in the mix. Game changer.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Deeanne!
in a pinch, I’ve used relish, but freshly chopped pickles sounds much better!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Your recipe says 1 cup of pickles chopped. Is that one cup of chopped pickles or one cup of pickle slices chopped? I want to make this but I’m confused. One cup of chopped pickles sounds like a LOT!!
Hi Coleen, 1 cup measured after they are chopped. 🙂
What is the shelf life after it’s made if it’s stored in an airtight container?
Hi Melissa, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Saw this recipe pop up on FB, last night and since I was out of tartar, I thought…oooo let’s try Natasha’s, since everything I’ve made of hers has been really good! OMGosh, so easy and delish! I will never buy store bought again! I liked this one because it is made with dill pickles, not sweet, which I can’t stand. I think next time…and there will be a next time, since I’m a tartar girl, not ketchup…I will add a bit more dill, and maybe some garlic. It’s better if you! let the flavors blend overnight! You won’t be disappointed in this recipe, TY Natasha! : )
Excellent! So glad you found this recipe. Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Cindy. 🙂
We ran out of store bought tartar sauce and I k ew I had seen your recipe for it lately. Easy to make and everything was in the house for it. What could be easier? It is delicious too and I am not a tartar sauce lover generally. Great with popcorn shrimp.
Glad you enjoyed this tartar sauce recipe, Andrea! Homemade is always better, so good to know that you liked it!
This was very good and easy. I had to go buy dill though and the rest was wasted. Can I use dried dill with decent results? Thank you.
Hi Monica, I haven’t tried it with dried dill, it truly is best with fresh dill. If you happen to try it thought, I’d love to know how you like that!
I’ve used dehydrated dill and it was still very delicious. It also stayed “fresh” in the refrigerator for over two weeks. If using dried dill, refrigerated for about an hour before using. This is the best tarter sauce recipe ever!
Hi Janice! That’s great to know. Thank you for the feedback.
Any remaining fresh dill can be frozen and used in the future, to prevent wastage.
I have made this recipe several times now and absolutely love it. Made it tonight and everyone loved it as well. Thank you for the recipe
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Cheryl!
Made this tonight to put on our cod. Added honey instead of sugar plus added some capers. It was amazing.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Melinda! Thank you!
You add such flair to everything you do. It’s so engaging and captivating to watch you prepare and cook. You give detailed information and exceptional visual effects to keep us wanting to watch more. Thank you to you and your family for making an everyday thing more fun and interesting.
That is so heartwarming, thank you for your kind words and good feedback. It helps inspire us to do more recipes for you all!