Classic Creamy Tartar Sauce

Some things require precision in the kitchen, and some things don’t. Tartar sauce is one of those super flexible condiments where lots of things will work well. As long as you have a well-seasoned mayonnaise base with plenty of acidic flavoring, it will be tasty and be the perfect balance to rich or fried seafood.

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It’s so easy to make and tastes fresh. Definitely worth the very little effort that it takes. All you have to do is mix.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Instructions
Serving & Storing
Answering Your Questions
More Homemade Sauces To Make
Printable Recipe

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Substitutions are totally fine here! If you don’t have lemon juice, substitute white vinegar. If you don’t have shallot, substitute onion. And if you don’t have dill relish, substitute a finely chopped dill pickle.

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ingredients measured out in bowls on counter and labeled.

This will make about 12 servings. You can double or triple the recipe by making adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Just be aware it doesn’t freeze well.

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup dill relish (a great use of homemade dill relish)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced shallot
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon coarse pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)

Instructions

This couldn’t be easier.

Step One: Combine. Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well.

Step Two: Chill. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for 2 hours.

Step Three: Serve. Spoon the sauce into ramekins to serve individually.

Serving & Storing

Serve with homemade fries and any seafood you like, particularly anything fried. We love it with beer-battered shrimp.

Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Sorry, this doesn’t freeze well. It’s best to make a fresh batch when needed.

Answering Your Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

It actually gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day or two as the flavors blend together.

What if I don’t have 2 hours to chill it?

You can serve it right away if you’re in a pinch, but it won’t taste as good. Even 30 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors come together.

Can I make this without the shallot?

Sure! Just use a tablespoon of finely minced regular onion, or skip it entirely if you don’t like onion flavor.

More Homemade Sauces To Make

These range from just mixing to canning, but they are all worth it and delicious.

Cajun ranch dressing is perfect for dipping.
Once you taste this Dijon mustard, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
This basil and walnut pesto is super affordable and ready in 15 minutes.
We use this apricot barbecue sauce all the time for drumsticks and ribs.

Printable Recipe

Prep Time:5

Chill Time:2

Total Time:2 5

Equipment

Medium-sized bowl
Spatula

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup dill relish
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced shallot or mild onion
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon coarse pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)

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Instructions

Combine. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve. Before serving, spoon the tartar sauce into individual ramekins.

Notes

Substitutions are fine! If you don’t have lemon juice, substitute white vinegar. If you don’t have shallot, substitute onion. If you don’t have dill relish, substitute a finely chopped dill pickle.

Good additions include minced fresh parsley, fresh dill, minced garlic, dijon mustard, and capers.