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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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
So quick and easy and delish!!! I always use recipes from your page, I research recipes and yours are always the best!! It was great with my seared scallops!!
That’s so great to hear, Rebecca!
I wasn’t really sure about the quantity of pickles. I used 2 very large pickles (homemade) and it chopped to a half cup volume diced in my food processor. Does this sound about right for 1 cup of mayo?
Hi Katie! You can always add more if needed. Just add to taste.
So good and easy. I didn’t have fresh dill but used Trader Joe’s ” In a pickle” seasoning and instead of sugar added sweet pickle relish. Chefs kiss for a wonderful recipe! Perfect for my fish sticks
Awesome recipe, I shared with my family and friends, used this sauce for fish and chicken sandwiches both👌
Tried today for the first time. Added a touch more lemon and pepper, but marvelous. Will definitely make again.
We used this tartar sauce recipe tonight with our fried cod, and it was fantastic! We changed it up a smidge for the fish sandwiches we’re having tomorrow by adding just a smidge of prepared horseradish to the recipe. Yes, we used a bit more dill pickle, lemon juice, and black pepper for the original recipe.
The very best! I refer to your page for so many wonderful things.
I’m so happy you’re loving the recipes here, Beverly.
I used sweet pickles instead of dill pickles. Eliminates the need to add sugar
This is just so good! I made it with and without onions (preferred without) and with dill and then again with parsley, and prefer the dill. Delish!! (and i love that the recipe is easily reduced. I usually just make for 2 people!
Excellent tarter sauce; so good it can be used as a dip 😋😋
It really can be! Its that good!
I didn’t have pickles or fresh dill so I used dried dill and capers! It was awful.
Hi Ronda! I hope you get to try the original recipe sometime. We love this sauce.
Oh, for sure. The caper and juice made everything sloppy.
Tartar sauce was delicious. I didn’t have any deal so I use parsley and I really like onions in my tartar sauce, but I didn’t have any onions so I put in onion salt and I had recently made homemade pickle relish and I use that and a half a cup of regular dill pickles and oh my goodness delicious thank you so much for sharing. I just wish you would stay longer.
Chopped dill pickles, not dill relish; I believe that is the part that will make this work!
I have been trying to make my own. Now I will make yours.
Ohmygoodness.. I’ve never left a review for a recipe before and I try an online recipe at least once a week.
This tartar sauce is AMAZING. You really could almost eat it by itself. IT IS SO GOOD!!
Easy & perfect! Way better than store bought!
Everything you make is incredibly delicious!😋
Aw, thank you. I’m happy you’re enjoying the recipes.
I have made this several times, it is very good! Much better than store bought and not chock full of names you can’t pronounce.
This is the Absolute Best Tartar Sauce I have ever had….and that’s a ton.I love dipping fish,chicken,fries and vegetables in it .I make a fresh batch every week Thank you Natasha.
Hi Gina! That’s so great to hear. Thank you for the feedback.
How long will leftover tartar sauce keep in fridge?
Hi Shelley! See my note in the post above. This recipe stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.
Sounds good. Thanks.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Matthew!
I have a lady in visiting me from the UK, and of course she wanted fish and chips. When I realized I forgot to get tartar sauce, I found this website, and she told me it was the best part of the meal 👍
I’m so glad you found this recipe! Thank you for sharing. That’s so great to hear.
I’d thought that I’d skip supper tonight, until I ran into this recipe, so now I have flounder thawing for later. Thanks for the recipe! There’s always something “off” about mine, so now I’m making your recipe mine. Thank you!
Hi Sandra! You’re very welcome. I’m so glad you come across this recipe. Have a great dinner!