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This Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe takes about 5 minutes to toss together, is packing way more flavor than anything you’d buy at the store, and is perfect for serving up with your favorite fish!
Growing up, I never really ate tartar sauce, mostly because I didn’t know what it was and that meant it was probably scary and gross. 😉
The first time I tasted tartar sauce though, I was hooked.
I went through a phase where I ordered fried fish at restaurants, just so I could eat copious amounts of tartar sauce. I’d even dip my fries in the stuff. It’s so good, you guys.
This recipe for tartar sauce is perfect, because it’s so easy to whip up from pantry staples. You’ll never have to go without again!
Perfect for serving with your air fryer catfish, or just keep it easy and bake up some fish sticks. 😉
Making your own sauces and dressings is such an easy way to elevate your dinner. A few other favorites include our creamy chipotle sauce, tzatziki sauce,and our viral Carolina BBQ sauce.
Ingredient Notes:
Mayo – You’ll need some mayonnaise for this tartar sauce recipe as it will make up the base of the sauce, so make sure to pick up a good brand that you enjoy! I’m a Kraft girl myself.
Pickles – I use minced dill pickles along with minced fresh dill in this homemade tartar sauce, but sweet pickles work well too. Maybe even spicy pickles? I think my homemade tartar sauce is pretty perfect as is, but feel free to play with the flavors and make it your own!
Lemon Juice – This adds the perfect tangy flavor and it goes so well with seafood. Use fresh squeezed if you have it! No lemon juice? Just add a little vinegar or pickle juice instead!
Onion Powder – This is really all the seasoning that I add to this tartar sauce recipe, but you can also add in other seasonings like garlic, parsley, or seasoned salt. Minced onion is also a nice replacement for the onion powder!
What Readers are Saying!
“Just finished making this tartar sauce for the 6th or 7th time. Your recipe beats what is sold in stores and served in restaurants. Thanks, too, for the tip that the left-over portions can be refrigerated for up to 10 days, since we eat fish about every three or four days and none is wasted! ?” – DEE
How To Make Tartar Sauce:
Mix: This is just about one of the simplest recipes there is! To make tartar sauce you’ll need some minced pickles and dill, so prepare those first and then add them to a mixing bowl along with the mayonnaise.
Next you can add in the lemon juice and the onion powder. Now stir all that up until it forms into a creamy white tartar sauce!
Chill: This homemade tartar sauce recipe tastes best if you can let it chill in the fridge for an hour or two before serving, but if you’re in a rush, go ahead and dig in.
Serve this easy tartar sauce with my low carb salmon patties!
Helpful Tip!
Tartar sauce is low carb!
That’s right – tartar sauce is low carb!
If you’re following a keto diet, be sure to use mayonnaise that is free of soybean oil to make your tartar sauce. Avocado oil mayo is a good choice.
If you prefer to use sweet pickles, you’ll want to get a sugar free version and check the carb count.
FAQs:
It is a mayo or aioli based sauce that is most commonly eaten with seafood. I like the kind with the pickles and that is what is in this homemade tartar sauce recipe, but it can be prepared in other ways too.
Along with the mayonnaise and minced pickle, not a whole lot else! Just some lemon juice, minced dill, and onion powder. This is an easy tartar sauce recipe!
You can keep this homemade tartar sauce in your refrigerator for up to 10 days as long as it is stored properly!
MORE EASY HOMEMADE SAUCE RECIPES!
- Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- Alabama White Sauce
- Homemade Alfredo Sauce
- Greek Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
- Barbecue Fry Sauce
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup minced dill pickles
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more before serving.
- Store, tightly covered and refrigerated, for up to 10 days.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This recipe was originally published in 2019. It was updated with new photos in 2024. Original image below.
DONA says
So simple to make! My husband can’t eat any kind of fish without slathering it with tarter sauce. He loved it and ate the leftovers with chips.
Karly Campbell says
So glad he enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Deborah G. says
The mayonnaise can be homemade as well, so easy to make and you know what’s in it.
JUDY GEORGE says
ISURE THANK YOU FOR THESE RECIPES. CAN’T WAIT TO TRY THEM.
Megan J says
Soooo good!!
Stephannie says
This sounds really good . I’ll have to try it. I just do mayo, dill pickles, and fresh onion.
Karly says
The dill and lemon juice really make it yummy! 🙂
Berlon Smith says
Loved it
Victoria says
I’m really looking forward to making your tartar sauce. Do you think dried dill would be okay instead of fresh?
Karly says
Yep! I’d use 1 teaspoon and add more if needed. 🙂
Victoria says
Thank you!
Ariel says
Perfect! Grew up in the PNW and tartar sauce always enjoyed with fries not just fish. Easy peasy!
Yvonne R. says
This is now my go to tartar sauce recipe! It’s by far our favorite! Simple and very tasty! Have made it about five times now. Made it tonight for our fish and chips. Thanks for sharing!
Karly says
Thanks, Yvonne!
Dee says
Just finished making this tartar sauce for the 6th or 7th time. Your recipe beats what is sold in stores and served in restaurants. Thanks, too, for the tip that the left-over portions can be refrigerated for up to 10 days, since we eat fish about every three or four days and none is wasted! ?
Karly says
Oh, I love to hear that! Thanks, Dee! 🙂
Dena says
I wonder if you could make a bunch up and then can it? With the grocery shelves getting emptier all the time it might be hard to get all the ingredients. This 2022 crap is crazy??
Dena says
I wonder if you could make a bunch up and then can it? With the grocery shelves getting emptier all the time it might be hard to get all the ingredients. This 2022 crap is crazy??
Karly says
I’m not knowledgeable about canning at all, so you’d definitely want to look into that and make sure the recipe meets any safety requirements for canning. 🙂
Dee says
Just finished making this tartar sauce for the 6th or 7th time. Your recipe beats what is sold in stores and served in restaurants. Thanks, too, for the tip that the left-over portions can be refrigerated for up to 10 days, since we eat fish about every three or four days and none is wasted! ?
Timothy says
My wife used coconut flour and the patties didn’t hold together as well, the tartar sauce mix is good thanks for sharing. Guess we need to buy some almond flour…possibly one of the other things people aren’t depleting in the stores right now!
Karly says
Good luck!! I’ve noticed the more healthy/special foods were available, but I haven’t been to the store in a few days and every area is different. I’ll cross my fingers for you! 🙂
June says
Thank you for the recipe! I’ve also made tartar sauce using whole fat greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, added a little garlic powder, onion powder, along with dill relish, dijon mustard.
OMAR SARA says
Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe !!
Sabrina says
nice, love being able to make this fresh thank you
Patti Berent says
This was fabulously easy, simple, but mostly delicious! Best tartar sauce ever. Will never buy the jarred stuff again. Thank you for the idea, made fish night much easier to enjoy than just plain lemon.
Karly says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!