This Homemade Tartar Sauce is creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh flavor. Made with simple ingredients like mayo, dill pickles, and a touch of Dijon mustard, it’s perfect for serving with crispy fish, crab cakes, fries or even as a spread for sandwiches. Once you try this easy homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought tartar sauce.
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Homemade tartar sauce is one of those things that once I made it, I knew I’d never buy it from the store again. My version is creamy, tangy, and so much better than anything from a jar. It’s a must with fish and shrimp, but in my kitchen, my family loves to get creative—dipping fries and crispy Brussels sprouts and drizzling it over roasted broccoli. There’s just something about homemade that makes everything taste better!
Why This Homemade Tartar Sauce Works
- Fresh & flavorful: Crunchy dill pickles and herbs give this tartar sauce a bold, refreshing taste.
- Better than store-bought: No preservatives, no additives—just real ingredients for the best homemade flavor.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes.
Make It Ahead of Time!
I love making a large batch of this to enjoy throughout the week. It won’t last as long as store-bought since it’s made with wholesome ingredients, but it still lasts 5 days in the fridge, which is plenty long to enjoy all week long. I like to mix mine up and store it in a mason jar or any airtight container.
Tartar Sauce Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: Duke’s is my go-to for its rich, tangy flavor, but any good-quality mayo works.
- Dill Pickles: Adds crunch and a punch of pickle flavor. Be sure to drain them well. If you don’t have pickles, you can use capers.
- Grated Onion: A little goes a long way for a subtle, savory depth. A shallot will work here too.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best! It brightens up the sauce.
- Dijon Mustard: Gives it an extra tang and a smooth, creamy finish.
- Fresh Dill: The key to that fresh, herby flavor.
Recipe Variations For This Dipping Sauce
- Sweeter Twist – Add a teaspoon of sweet pickle relish or chopped butter pickles for a hint of sweetness.
- Garlic Kick – Stir in a small minced garlic clove for extra depth.
- Spicy Version – Mix in a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, black pepper or grated horseradish.
How to Make Tartar Sauce Without Mayonnaise
If mayo is not your thing, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or sour cream. Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and a tangy flavor, making it a lighter option. Sour cream can also be used, adding a slightly different taste but still maintaining the creaminess. Both alternatives will work well in the recipe, so feel free to use whichever one you prefer!
Step By Step Directions
- Mix Everything Together: In a bowl, combine the mayo, chopped pickles, grated onion, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and fresh dill. Stir until well mixed.
- Chill & Serve: Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors meld together beautifully as it chills into a delicious dipping sauce.
How To Use This Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce Recipe
Of course, the classic answer is to serve it with seafood dishes but it goes with so much more! I love to pair it with Air Fryer Salmon, Roasted Shrimp or Cajun Shrimp.
If a crowd is coming over, I serve it as a dipping sauce for Southern Fried Corn Fritters, Fried Squash, and Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but fresh dill gives the best flavor. If using dried, start with ½ teaspoon and adjust to taste.
After chopping, press them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This keeps your tartar sauce from getting watery.
Can I Dice The Onion?
I highly recommend grating it if you can. What makes it so good is the onion flavor, which is not required to bite into an actual onion. Most people like store-bought sauce because of the texture, but you can have even better quality at home with little tricks like grating the onions.
More Sauces & Condiments You’ll Love
If you tried this Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise Dukes is best
- 1 cup chopped dill pickles drained
- 1 ½ tablespoon grated onion
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh chopped dill
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the mayo, chopped pickles, grated onion, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and fresh dill. Stir until well mixed
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors meld together beautifully as it chills.
Notes
- Sweeter Twist – Add a teaspoon of sweet pickle relish or chopped butter pickles for a hint of sweetness.
- Garlic Kick – Stir in a small minced garlic clove for extra depth.
- Spicy Version – Mix in a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, black pepper or grated horseradish.
Nutrition
5 Days of Side Dishes Done Southern Style!
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Bob Jackson
This would be very good. I don’t use the mustard though. But I use capers in my tatter sauce, as that’s how my mother did and a seafood restaurant I used to work at made it.
Donya Mullins
Always feel free to make it your own! ~Donya