This super easy Tartar Sauce Recipe is thick and creamy and the perfect condiment for fried fish and chips!
We’ve been cleaning out our freezer lately in an effort to try and use what we have on hand. I came across a bunch of frozen fish that my husband had caught from a fishing trip last year so I decided to make my own fried fish sticks!
Well, fried fish just begs to be served with my homemade tartar sauce, and lucky me, I had all the ingredients on hand to whip it up!
Ingredients for Tartar Sauce
These are the basic ingredients needed to make tartar sauce at home:
- Mayonnaise
- Dill pickles (or dill pickle relish)
- Fresh dill (or dried)
- Lemon juice
- Dijon Mustard
- Sugar
- Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Black Pepper
Tartar sauce is a mayo-based condiment, but I’ve also used half mayo, half sour cream (or plain greek yogurt) to lighten it up a bit. It still has that creamy texture that goes so well with seafood!
How To Make Tartar Sauce
Are you ready for this? – To make tartar sauce, just add all the ingredients into a bowl and stir together!
It’s super easy to make and once you do, you’ll never want to buy the bottled stuff again. Trust me!
Tips and Variations
- Like I mentioned above, to lighten up this recipe, I’ll sometimes use half mayo/half sour cream or plain greek yogurt.
- Dill pickle relish makes this recipe super easy, but you can also use a food processor to finely chop pickles if you don’t want to.
- Capers are a more traditional ingredient in tartar sauce, but I don’t always have capers on hand. Try adding in a couple tablespoons for a nice boost of flavor!
- Store the prepared tartar sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This is the Best Tartar Sauce recipe, and I can’t wait for you to give it a try!
Easy Tartar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup real mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup dill pickle relish, or 3/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, or 1 tsp dried
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
- Store in airtight container in fridge for up to 5 days.
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John Rhoe
I have made my own tartar sauce dice I was 7. I am 63, now. I just eyeball everything and it’s all right!. I sometimes use horseradish and not mustard. Try it!
Marty Seers
The best!
brenda
I have a citrus allergy and can’t use the lemon juice. What else could I use for the acid?
Dave G
You can use white vinegar.
Joyce
Used this to make crappie bites that my son caught today ice fishing. The batter was crispy and light, and delicious! The only change I made was using smoked paprika. Your tartar sauce was also delicious. I only had sweet relish so I used that, and it worked out well. Thank you!
Shawn
Fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipes Joyce!
Kjersti
Awesome!
steve
How on earth is fish and chips American cuisine? Oh of course.. Added sugar!
Debbie
Can you use sweet relish instead of dill?
Shawn
You can, but it will change the flavor a little sweeter.
192.168.l.l
Can’t wait to try this recipe! The sauce sounds so yum!!
Shawn
Hope you enjoy it!
Keith Ressler
Very similar to the recipe I use. I use the dill pickle relish and capers. I don’t measure anything, I just eyeball it. I love capers, and they do kick up the flavor! It’s been many years since I’ve bought tartar sauce.
Shawn
The dill pickle relish makes it super easy! 😉
John Rhoe
I like mine a bit tangy, so I leave out the sugar. Still t’s a good sauce and I strongly recommend that you try it !
Frann Todd
What is the reasoning behind the addition of 1 tsp sugar?
Shawn
I find that it balances out the tang of the mayo and pickles! 🙂