Homemade Tartar Sauce
You know I’m all for a kitchen shortcut when it makes sense, but when it comes to tartar sauce? The homemade route wins every single time! It’s creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of punchy — and the best part is, it takes less time to make than it does to fish a jar off the grocery shelf (pun intended — sorry!). Grab a lemon, your favorite mayo, a few pantry basics, and let’s upgrade your fish dinner situation.
If you love the idea of making your own sauces, I think you’ll also enjoy my homemade pesto recipe. It’s so good for using as a salad dressing, stirring into pasta, and drizzling over pizza!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own tartar sauce. Please note that you’ll find a printable recipe card towards the bottom of this post, and it covers everything you need to know, including measurements and instructions!
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of your tartar sauce. I use full-fat for richness, but feel free to sub in light mayo or even Greek yogurt if you want to lighten it up a bit.
- Finely minced onion: Adds that savory backbone and a tiny bit of crunch. Make sure it’s finely chopped so it blends right in rather than overpowering.
- Sweet pickle relish: Classic tartar tang with just the right amount of sweetness. You can swap in dill relish if you prefer a more sour bite.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens everything up and cuts through the richness. Add more if you like it extra zippy.
- Fresh parsley: For freshness and a touch of color. Dried parsley works in a pinch, but fresh really makes a difference here.
- Fresh dill: A must for that traditional flavor. If you’re not a dill fan, you can skip it—but I promise it adds that something-something.
- Salt and pepper: Don’t forget to season!
How To Make Tartar Sauce
- Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth and well combined. Give it a taste and tweak as needed—if you like it a bit punchier, add a splash more lemon juice; if you want a sweeter vibe, stir in a little extra sweet pickle relish. Too tangy? Just mellow it out with a spoonful more mayo. Season with salt and pepper until it tastes just right to you.
- For the best flavor (and honestly, it’s worth the wait), cover and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let all the flavors cozy up together.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover tartar sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just a heads up—because it’s mayo-based, the sauce can start to separate a bit as it sits. No big deal though! Just give it a quick stir before serving and you’re good to go.
Recipe Notes
I used fresh herbs in this tartar sauce for a vibrant, bright flavor, but if you’re using dried, start with just ½ teaspoon each of dried parsley and dried dill. Dried herbs are more concentrated, so a little goes a long way—adjust to taste once everything’s mixed. I went with a combo of parsley and dill because I love the balance, but feel free to use all parsley or all dill if that’s what you’ve got on hand (or what you prefer!).
Serving Ideas
This homemade tartar sauce is a classic pairing with crispy fish and chips—honestly, it’s a must. It also works beautifully with fish sandwiches, crab cakes, shrimp, or even as a dip for fries and roasted veggies. Try it dolloped over baked salmon or spooned onto a fish taco for a tangy, herby boost.
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup 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
- Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth and well combined. Give it a taste and tweak as needed. Season with salt and pepper until it tastes just right to you.
- For the best flavor, cover and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let all the flavors cozy up together.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if you're feeling fancy.
If you give this homemade tartar sauce a try, I’d love to know what you think! Don’t forget to leave a star rating and comment below — it helps others find and trust the recipe, and it totally makes my day too.
