Simple Homemade Tartar Sauce
This simple homemade tartar sauce comes together in just 5 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! Creamy, tangy, and so much better than store-bought versions, it’s the perfect companion for all your favorite seafood dishes.
Skip the bland store-bought options and whip up this flavorful sauce recipe instead. The fresh herbs and zesty lemon juice make all the difference, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to the jarred stuff again!
Looking for more homemade condiments to elevate your meals? Try my Copycat Big Mac Sauce for burgers, Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce for tacos, or Roasted Garlic Aioli for an amazing dipping sauce!
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better Than Store-Bought: This homemade tartar sauce has a fresher taste and better texture than anything you’ll find at the grocery store, with no preservatives or artificial ingredients.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes with minimal prep work – just mix everything in a bowl and you’re done!
- Versatile: Perfect as a dip for fish sticks, as a spread for seafood sandwiches, or as a condiment for fish and chips.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences – make it more tangy, more herby, or more creamy depending on what you like.
What is Tartar Sauce?
Tartar sauce is a creamy condiment traditionally served with seafood dishes. Its base is usually mayonnaise, combined with chopped pickles or relish, herbs, and lemon juice for tanginess. The sauce originated in France but has become a staple accompaniment for fish and other seafood around the world. This homemade version elevates the classic with fresh herbs and balanced flavors.
Tartar Sauce Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base that holds everything together. Use full-fat mayonnaise for the richest flavor and texture.
- Finely minced onion – Adds a subtle bite and aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Make sure to mince it very finely for the best texture.
- Sweet pickle relish – Provides a touch of sweetness and essential pickle flavor that defines tartar sauce. The small pieces dispersed throughout the sauce add wonderful texture.
- Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the sauce with acidity and freshness. Always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best flavor.
- Fresh parsley – Adds color and a mild herbaceous flavor that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and complements seafood beautifully.
- Fresh dill – Brings a distinctive flavor that’s perfect with fish. Its slightly tangy, grassy notes are essential for an authentic tartar sauce.
Substitutions and Additions
- Pickle options – Instead of sweet pickle relish, you can use finely chopped dill pickles with a pinch of sugar. Bread and butter pickles also work well.
- Herb variations – If you only have dried herbs, start with ½ teaspoon each of dried parsley and dill (dried herbs are more potent). You can also use all parsley or all dill based on your preference.
- Add capers – For a more complex flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of finely chopped capers.
- Substitute Greek yogurt – Replace up to half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version with a slight tang.
- Add Dijon mustard – For a bit of heat and complexity, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
- Worcestershire sauce – A few drops can add depth of flavor and umami notes.
How to Make Simple Homemade Tartar Sauce (step-by-step directions)
STEP 1. Place mayonnaise, minced onion, sweet pickle relish, fresh lemon juice, minced parsley, and minced dill in a small bowl. (Photo 1)
STEP 2. Whisk all ingredients until thoroughly combined and smooth. (Photo 2)
STEP 3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – add more lemon juice for acidity, extra relish for sweetness, or additional mayonnaise if flavors are too strong.
STEP 4. For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
STEP 5. If desired, garnish with additional fresh herbs before serving. (Photo 3)
Recipe Tips
- Finely mince the herbs and onion for the best texture – you don’t want large chunks in your smooth sauce.
- If your sauce tastes too tangy, add a little more mayonnaise to mellow it out.
- For extra flavor, try adding a small splash of pickle juice from the relish jar.
- Make this sauce ahead of time if possible – the flavors develop and improve after resting in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the consistency by adding a small amount of water or extra lemon juice if it’s too thick.
Storing Tips
- Storage: Store leftover tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerator: This sauce will keep well for 3-4 days when properly refrigerated. The sauce may begin to separate if it sits too long – simply stir again before serving.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as mayonnaise-based sauces don’t freeze well and can separate upon thawing.
- Make ahead: This sauce actually improves with time as the flavors meld together, making it perfect for preparing a day ahead of your seafood dinner.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade tartar sauce pairs perfectly with seafood dishes like fish fillets, Lemon-Garlic Jumbo Shrimp, or Baked Halibut. It’s also delicious with homemade fish sticks or as a spread on fish sandwiches.
For a complete meal, serve your seafood and tartar sauce alongside Cheesy Crash Hot Potatoes or Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes for a delicious fish and chips dinner at home!
You can also use this versatile sauce as a dipping sauce for Easy Homemade Pretzels or as a flavorful spread on sandwiches like a Club Sandwich.
Recipe FAQs
This homemade tartar sauce will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. If it separates a bit, just give it a good stir before serving.
Yes, you can use dried herbs, but they’re more potent than fresh. Start with about ½ teaspoon each of dried parsley and dried dill, then adjust to taste. Fresh herbs do provide the best flavor, especially for a condiment like tartar sauce.
Sweet relish adds a hint of sweetness that balances the tanginess of the lemon juice, while dill relish creates a more savory, herbaceous flavor profile. Both work well in tartar sauce – it’s really a matter of personal preference.
Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise for a lighter version. The texture will be slightly different, and the flavor will have more tang, but it still makes a delicious sauce.
While tartar sauce is traditionally served with seafood, it’s also delicious with french fries, onion rings, sandwiches, or as a dip for fresh vegetables. It can even add a tangy kick to burgers or chicken sandwiches!
Need More Homemade Condiment Recipes? Try These:
Simple Homemade Tartar Sauce
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl (Small)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (236 ⅗ ml) mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons finely minced onion
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place mayonnaise, minced onion, sweet pickle relish, fresh lemon juice, minced parsley, and minced dill in a small bowl.1 cup mayonnaise,3 tablespoons finely minced onion,2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish,1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice,2 teaspoons fresh parsley,2 teaspoons fresh dill
- Whisk all ingredients until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – add more lemon juice for acidity, extra relish for sweetness, or additional mayonnaise if flavors are too strong.Salt and pepper
- For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
- If desired, garnish with additional fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Finely mince the herbs and onion for the best texture – you don’t want large chunks in your smooth sauce.
- If your sauce tastes too tangy, add a little more mayonnaise to mellow it out.
- For extra flavor, try adding a small splash of pickle juice from the relish jar.
- Make this sauce ahead of time if possible – the flavors develop and improve after resting in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the consistency by adding a small amount of water or extra lemon juice if it’s too thick.
Nutrition Information
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