This easy Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe combines fresh dill, mayo, and pickles to create a creamy, tangy dip that tastes better than any store-bought version. It’s the perfect pairing for fish!
I make a lot of homemade sauces and dressings, like fish taco sauce and ranch dressing. I’ve been making this homemade tartar sauce for years, too, and it’s one of our favorites. It’s the perfect accompaniment for our much-loved fish sticks, but it’s so good with any seafood.
And I have to say, out of all the homemade condiments I make, this tartar sauce recipe is truly one of the easiest. I have no problem whipping this up again and again because it takes just a handful of ingredients and five minutes. Plus, it lasts in the fridge for up to a week, so we can enjoy it multiple times.
Why This Is The Best Tartar Sauce Recipe
- Only 5 main ingredients. This easy tartar sauce recipe starts with mayo, pickles, onion, and fresh dill, plus a squeeze of lemon juice. That’s it! The only other thing I add is a bit of pepper to taste.
- Ready in 5 minutes. Yes, really! That’s literally the time it takes to prep this condiment. It can be enjoyed immediately, so it’s perfect for whipping up while your fish is cooking.
- Endless ways to use it. The dill pickle flavor in this tartar sauce makes it ideal to pair with so many things. Seafood is the obvious pairing, whether it’s fish sticks, breaded shrimp, or baked fish, but it works with fries, chicken, and other things, too.
Key Ingredients
Here’s an overview of the 5 main ingredients in this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact measurements.
- Mayonnaise – Using real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip or another mayo-like product, is key to a good tartar sauce.
- Dill pickles – Chop into fine pieces so they evenly distribute and there are no big chunks of pickles.
- White onion – Be sure to dice these as finely, or finer, than the pickles.
- Fresh dill – Fresh dill really amps up the dill flavor and adds so much to the sauce. In my opinion, it’s one of the things that sets this apart from store-bought sauce.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed if possible! The acidity is needed to balance the mayo.
- Sugar – A tiny amount of granulated sugar balances all of the flavors in the sauce.
How To Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
It takes less than 5 minutes (literally) to whip this up!
- Combine the ingredients. Add everything to a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Enjoy or chill. Feel free to enjoy immediately. If you want a thicker sauce, cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Recipe Tips & Variations
I don’t have many tips to share since this easy tartar sauce recipe is…well, so easy. But there are a few variation options to consider!
- Onions are optional. Some people like onions in their tartar sauce and some don’t. You can eliminate the onions, if desired. In my opinion, they add great flavor to the mix.
- Choose your favorite pickles. If you prefer sweet pickles instead, go for it. That’s the best part about homemade food.
- Chill before using. You can absolutely whip this up and enjoy it immediately. But if you have time, I recommend making it in advance so it has time to chill. This gives the flavors time to meld and the sauce thickens a bit.
- Can I just use relish? Some recipes do use pickle relish instead of dicing the pickles. I prefer to just dice the pickles myself. They tend to be crunchier and then I’m in full control of the flavor.
- Other mix-in ideas. Capers are another popular tartar sauce ingredient that can add a briny element. We don’t love them, so I don’t add them, but feel free to try it out. A splash of hot sauce can add a spicy twist, or Worcestershire sauce for deeper savory notes.
Ways To Use It
Our #1 use for this homemade tartar sauce is air fryer fish sticks. I swear, more tartar sauce gets eaten than fish!
It’s also great with other fish and seafood, like Southern crab cakes, baked tilapia, fried shrimp, and baked salmon. We also use it as a spread on copycat filet o’ fish sandwiches and salmon burgers.
Don’t limit it to seafood, though! Tartar sauce also makes a great dip for French fries, onion rings, and hush puppies.
How Long Does It Last?
Homemade tartar sauce is best enjoyed within 1 week. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. I do not recommend freezing it.
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups real mayonnaise
- 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons white onion finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill minced
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until fully combined.
- You can use it immediately, or if you would like it to thicken up a bit, cover and place in the fridge for at least two hours.
Last Step:
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