Make this homemade tartar sauce in just five minutes with mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, capers, fresh lemon juice, and herbs. Creamy, tangy, and fresher than the jarred kind, this homemade condiment is perfect for fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes, and fish sticks.
Why This Homemade Tartar Sauce Is Better Than Store-Bought
- Quick and easy: It takes only five minutes to mix together. Chill it for 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend.
- Better than store-bought: Jarred versions often taste too sweet and artificial. Fresh lemon, herbs, pickles, and capers give this version a bright, tangy flavor instead.
- No cooking required: Simply chop, stir, and refrigerate.
- Perfect with seafood: Serve it with fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes, fish sticks, or seafood sandwiches.
- Why you'll love it: It has a touch of natural sweetness from the pickle relish. Chopped pickles and capers also add crunch to every bite, which plays perfectly against crispy fried fish.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS POST ON
Jump to:
The Story Behind This Homemade Tartar Sauce
Growing up on Long Island in the '70s and '80s, my family would go to Nathan's Famous in Oceanside. The original Oceanside location was enormous, with its own little amusement park and arcade.
Everyone went for the famous hot dogs and French fries, but I always beelined for the fish stand. The fish came with a creamy tartar sauce that I still think about: rich, tangy, and studded with pickles.
This is my grown-up recreation of that Nathan's Famous meal: hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, and a fish sandwich with tartar sauce.
What You Need
See the recipe card below for exact amounts.
- Mayonnaise: This is the sauce's creamy base. Use your favorite mayonnaise for the richest flavor.
- Relish or pickles: Pickle relish, cornichons, dill pickles, or gherkins add flavor and crunch. Mince the pickles so they blend evenly into the sauce.
- Onion: Finely minced yellow or white onion adds savory flavor without overpowering the sauce.
- Capers: These add a salty, briny flavor that pairs well with seafood. Drain and mince them before mixing.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce.
- Fresh dill: Fresh dill gives the sauce a bright, classic flavor that pairs perfectly with seafood. Dried dill works in a pinch.
- Black pepper: Season to taste.
Variations
- Add chopped shallots instead of onions.
- Swap the dill for parsley or chives.
- Use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Stir in a pinch of sugar for a touch more sweetness.
How To Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
Step 1: Measure the mayonnaise in a glass measuring cup, add the pickle relish (or minced pickles), onion, capers, lemon juice, and dill, and stir well until combined.
Step 2: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend. Season with black pepper to taste.
Other Uses For Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce isn't just for seafood.
- Spread on burgers and sandwiches
- As a topping for fish tacos or shrimp tacos
- As a dip for homemade chicken nuggets or fresh vegetables
- With roasted vegetables
Storage
Store tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Give it a stir before serving.
What to Serve with Tartar Sauce
Serve tartar sauce with fried fish, fish sticks, shrimp, or seafood sandwiches.
Homemade Tartar Sauce FAQ
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade tartar sauce stays fresh for up to 5 days.
Yes, it's a great make-ahead condiment. Letting it chill for at least 30 minutes before serving helps the flavors meld.
It's not recommended. Because it's mayonnaise-based, the texture can separate and turn watery once thawed, so it's best to make it fresh and keep it in the fridge.
Traditional tartar sauce does not contain gluten. However, if you're purchasing a jarred product, check the label to confirm that all ingredients are gluten-free.
If you tried this Tartar Sauce recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments. I love hearing from you!
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Equipment
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or small whisk
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish or chopped cornichons, dill pickles, or gherkins
- 1 tablespoon minced yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons minced capers
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or ½ teaspoon dried dill
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Measure the mayonnaise in a glass measuring cup, add the pickle relish (or minced pickles), onion, capers, lemon juice, and dill, and stir well until combined.
- Season to taste with black pepper.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Marty says
Spot on! I used mashed pickles, didn't have relish. We had fried fish bites and the caterer forgot to bring it.