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
Can this be frozen for future use?
Hi Marr, I honestly have not tried freezing it but I would be concerned about the ingredients separating. It’s not typically recommended to freeze mayo.
Do you have a recipe for
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Milo
miloli1@aol.com
Hi Milo, sorry but I don’t have a recipe for that.
I have made my own tartar sauce for the same reason, store bought just isn’t satisfying. But, I use dill relish instead of chopped dill pickles.
Thank you for sharing that with me!
The recipe calls for dill. Did you use the seed, or the leaf? I have both available fresh from my garden, when in season.
Hi Antony, we used dill leaf.
How long in the refrigerator before it should be thrown out?
Hi Shelly, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
Thank you! I just made it for tonight. Had a little taste, yummy! Can’t wait to see how it tastes tonight!! I have loved all your recipes I’d made and I love your videos! Your humor is contagious
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Shelly!
Homemade tartar sauce with pre-made mayonnaise.
Yeah, that sure is homemade.
Hi Kevin, you are welcome to make your own mayonnaise. If there’s a specific recipe you use to make your own mayo, I would love to hear about it. I think most people appreciate the shortcut of using a staple in people’s pantries without having to make a homemade version, but you definitely can.
Could we have your DIY mayo recipe, please?
Bet you’re a hoot at parties.
Natasha, thank you for the recipe!
SPEECHLESS, BEST I’VE EVER EATEN!!!
Short but sweet compliment! Thank you.
The best tartar sauce ever! Thank you.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
Yummy! I’ll be trying your version. I use pickle jar vinegar instead of lemon juice and sugar. I put my tartar sauce on fries, sometimes mix it in tuna or chicken salad. I am the only person in my family eating tartar sauce. More for me!
I hope you love it! We look forward to your feedback.
The is exactly what a place here in town made and the owner called it her secret recipe tartar sauce. Thanks a bunch!!
I’m so glad you found our recipe!
Love the tarter sauce. If you find yourself in a pinch try “House Autry” brand it’s not homemade but not bad
Awesome I’ll make sure to check that out. Thanks for your great review I appreciate it!
I am one of your biggest fans! Love your enthusiasm and just being lively. Recipes are clear and delicious. I just made the Salmon cakes and tarter sauce. Both 5 stars. Thank you
Fantastic feedback! Thank you so much for the great review and your nice comments. I hope you love all the recipes that you try.
make my own but I cheat on the diced onion I put a teaspoon of pickle juice in the bowl with a teaspoon of dehydrated minced onion wait 2 mins. and you got it . you could use the lemon juice instead
Thanks for sharing that with us, Brenda! I hope you liked it.
How long will this Tartar Sauce keep in the fridge please and thanks
Hi Dorothy, the tartar sauce keeps covered and refrigerated for 5 to 7 days
I love this recipe, especially with the finely diced onion. Delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Absolutely delicious! I will never use any other recipe again!!! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Janet! Thank you for that wonderful review!
I’ve been making this homemade tartar sauce since I was young (50 yeas ago (;D). Now that I am a Type 2 diabetic the only change I make is to use Stevia instead of sugar. My Mom’s fried fish would not be complete without it. She dipped the fish in beaten egg, dredged it in saltine cracker crumbs and fried it in canola oil. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
This is awesome! We loved it. I will never buy tartar sauce again. Thanks bunches!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite Amanda!
With Lent coming up I wanted a salmon patty like my granny used to make. These were exactly the same! Tarter sauce is perfect too. Thanks so much.
You’re welcome and thanks for your good feedback too!
Totally fabulous. The man loves it too. Thanks a bunch.
You’re welcome, Vivian! I’m so glad you liked this recipe.