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
I viewed several recipes and decided on this one based on simplicity, ratings and reviews. I had all of the ingredients on hand and whipped it up. It was delicious!
Easy and great tasting recipe. I’ll definitely make this again. Thanks!
Dear Natasha,
I love your cheerful, upbeat presentation and delicious recipes. Thank you for all you share with us.
Blessings for you and your family,
Susan Heacock
Thank you for that wonderful compliment, Susan! I’m so glad to hear you’re loving our videos and recipes.
Can this tarter sauce be frozen? I made this last night and still hadn’t a lot left. It turned out awesome! Living in the Mississippi Delta we eat a lot of catfish so tarter sauce is a staple at my house
Hi Heather! It keeps well in the refrigerator for a week but I think its texture will change if it’s frozen and it will separate.
this recipe made my dad change his mind on tartar sauce
Tasty. Does go great with her salmon cakes recipe which is delicious.
I made tartar sauce but didnt save it. When I started looking for it I found your name. Thank goodness I remberedyou name. I love your recipes.
Excellent!
How long is tartar sauce good for after making?
Hi JP! I’m glad you liked the recipe! See my note above, this recipe stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.
I cook dinners almost every night. I get all my recipes online and save my favorites in folders on my laptop. Out of hundreds of recipes, Natasha’s Kitchen is by far the majority source. If you come up in any search, I just immediately go to yours, as it is reliably the best 5 star recipe I will find.
I’m so happy you love our recipes! Thank you so much for the fantastic review and your encouraging words. I am smiling big reading your comment, Lisa!
You are great to watch I make a lot of your dishes
I use half the dill pickle and my husband and I love it to death. Never store bought for us from now on.
We adore this great site! Thank you Natasha!!!
You’re very welcome!
I live in Florida so tartar sauce is a must around my home, this is an awesome recipe taste just like moms.
You’ll never have to make home made again, that’s so great, Shawn!
Always a winner. make exactly as written, with the onions. Have tried other recipes and this is the only recipe I use now. Also, great as a spread on hamburgers!
I just made this tartar sauce after reading the reviews and it is definitely better than what I usually make. I cheated a little and used pickle relish and went light on the sugar since I find the relish sweet enough. Slathered it on freshly made salmon cakes and I don’t know which is better – the salmon cakes or the tartar sauce. Great flavor combinations.
Thank you for sharing, Marilyn! I’m glad you decided to give this recipe a try.
Natasha,
A little off topic but my daughter-in-law aka my daughter by another mother, is Ukrainian and loves your salmon cakes and tartar sauce. I make them for her every week.
We both have your cookbook and have written the recipe for the salmon cakes on the inside cover. I love your blend of Ukrainian and American recipes especially the multiple recipes for cabbage and potatoes.
Thank you, Marilyn! I’m so glad you’re both enjoying the cookbook!
This is my very favourite tarter sauce recipe and everyone always raves about it. Question though…..how long would you say it would keep in the fridge? I want to make enough for the guys for their week long fishing trip but I wouldn’t want it to spoil.
Hi Shelley! This recipe stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.
Just the best sauce. Won’t use anything else. Easy recipe I like to grate the onion.
Wow! And with Costco Trident fish sticks- double wow!
great easy to prepare
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
natasha. do you make potato bread or buns? I`m going to try myself
Hi Karen! I do not, but you can view all of my recipes in the Bread category here.