The Ultimate Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe: Old Fashioned and Easy

This homemade tartar sauce is quick, easy, and perfect for adding a zesty kick to your favorite seafood dishes. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious, tangy sauce far better than store-bought.

You’re good to go if you have a well-seasoned mayonnaise base with a kick of acidity. It’s the perfect complement to fish and chips, crab cakes, or even as a tangy dip for veggies!

small mason jar of homemade tartar sauce with fried shrimp in background

Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

A simple tartar sauce recipe that can be adapted for what you have on hand.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Serving Size 12 servings

Equipment

  • Medium-sized bowl
  • Spatula

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup dill relish (Or 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 

  • Combine the ingredients. 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

Start with good ingredients. Use real mayonnaise and high-quality pickles or relish.
Fresh lemon juice and finely chopped shallots or onions will give your tartar sauce a bright, lively flavor.
Taste the sauce before chilling and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add a little more lemon juice for extra tang or more salt if desired.
Good additions include chopped fresh parsley, fresh dill, chopped garlic, mustard, and capers for more flavor.
Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

More Tips:

Remember to refrigerate the sauce for at least 2 hours so the flavors mix well for a tasty tartar sauce.

If you want to add extras like dill pickles, garlic, or capers, chop them finely so they mix well.

If the sauce is too thick after refrigerating, add a teaspoon of water or milk until it’s the right consistency.

Refrigerate the sauce before serving so the flavors blend together well.

fresh parsley next to jar of old fashioned tartar sauce

Serving Suggestions

This tartar sauce pairs well with homemade fries, fish and chips, crab cakes, salmon cakes, fried shrimp, grilled fish fillets, fish tacos, calamari, or vegetable sticks.

Here are some things that can really help when making this homemade sauce:

mayonnaise, parsley, salt, pepper, lemon juice in small bowls on white wood background
  • Dill relish: This adds a tangy crunch to the sauce and can be found in the condiment aisle near the pickles.
  • Shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter taste compared to regular onions, enhancing the sauce’s flavor without being too strong.
  • Fresh parsley: Fresh herbs give the sauce a vibrant taste and color, while dried parsley won’t provide the same freshness.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for a bright, zesty flavor, but bottled lemon juice can also work.
  • Medium-sized bowl: A medium-sized bowl is perfect for mixing all the ingredients together evenly without making a mess.

Using these tools and ingredients will help you make a tartar sauce that’s fresh, tasty, and perfectly balanced.

Here are some good ingredient substitutes you can try for this recipe:

  • Lemon juice: You can use white vinegar if you don’t have lemon juice.
  • Shallot: A finely chopped onion is a good option.
  • Dill relish: Replace with a finely chopped dill pickle.

These changes will slightly alter the flavor, but the tartar sauce will still be delicious.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate the tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh for up to one week.

Tartar sauce doesn’t freeze well because mayonnaise can separate and change texture. It’s best to make a fresh batch when needed.

Homemade tartar sauce is such a tasty and easy way to spruce up your meals. You’ll be surprised how just a few ingredients and simple steps can make such a difference!

Whether you’re having it with fish and chips, crab cakes, or grilled fish, this sauce adds a burst of flavor that everyone will love. Go ahead and give it a try today!

fried fish sticks and 3 small white bowls of tartar sauce
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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