This easy Tartar Sauce Recipe has the best tangy bite and creamy texture. Perfect for fish, fries, and sandwiches. Prep ahead and let it chill.
author’s note
This Tartar Sauce Makes Everything Taste 10x Better!
When I went to Scotland last year, I used Yelp to find the highest-rated fish and chips spot. The reviews did not disappoint. It ended up being the best meal of the entire trip. But what surprised me most was the tartar sauce.
The servers kept refilling it like it was just as important as the fish itself. It was creamy, tangy, and so good I honestly could have eaten it with a spoon.
When I got home, I started working on my own version. I tested different ratios of lemon, mayo, relish, and herbs until it hit that same balance I loved. This is the version I kept coming back to. It is so delicious and unbelievably easy to make.
If you’ve never made homemade tartar sauce before, this recipe will change that.
Tartar Sauce Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Swaps or Tips |
|---|---|
| Lemon Juice & Zest | A microplane and citrus juicer are game changers here |
| Full-Fat Mayo | Quality mayo like Hellman’s/Best Foods is my favorite |
| Sweet Pickle Relish | Finely chopped bread-and-butter pickles also work great |
| Fresh Dill | Flat-leaf parsley or chives work if you are out of dill |
| Dijon Mustard | Grey Poupon Dijon is my favorite |
How To Make This Tartar Sauce Recipe (Tips)
- Use good ingredients: Better ingredients make better sauce.
- Adjust to taste: Start with salt and pepper, then tweak relish as needed.
- Chill first: Refrigerate at least 30 minutes so flavors blend.
- Make it yours: Try capers, pickles, or other herbs.
How To Use This Tartar Sauce Recipe
- Fish & chips: A classic with fried or baked fish and chips.
- Seafood burgers: Great on salmon burgers or fish sandwiches.
- Crab cakes & tuna patties: Serve on the side or spread on top.
- Veggies: Use as a dip for raw or roasted vegetables.
- Sandwiches: Swap it in for dressing on tuna salad or other sandwiches.
- Fish tacos: Drizzle or dollop on top.
Storage
Store Tartar Sauce Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 1 week. Before serving, give it a good stir to redistribute the ingredients, as the ingredients may separate during storage. If it thickens too much, thin it with a drizzle of lemon juice.
Tartar Sauce is a great sauce to make ahead of time. It only gets more flavorful as it sits.
Favorite Seafood Dishes:
Tartar Sauce
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lemon see note 1
- 1/2 cup mayo see note 2
- 1-1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish or diced pickles—see note 3
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Zest and juice lemon to get 1/2 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I add 1/8 teaspoon of each). Mix well, taste, and adjust ingredients to your personal preference. Refrigerate sauce (covered) until ready to use. (The flavors will intensify as it sits.) Re-stir before using.
- Enjoy your homemade Tartar Sauce with fish, fries, or any dish of your choice! Lots of ideas in the blog post!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
