Make this creamy, tangy Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe in just 5 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. It will go perfectly with your favorite fish or seafood. Tangy fresh squeezed lemon and zesty dill relish make this sauce amazing!
Homemade Tartar Sauce
I love making my own sauces. Not just because it’s usually a frugal option, but because they just taste so darn much better when they’re homemade.
And I promise that’s the case with this Homemade Tartar Sauce. We make it every time we’re having fish for dinner, or better yet, crab cakes. Mmmm…
Well, no matter what you put it on, it’s delicious, and takes just 5 minutes to make.
What is Tartar Sauce?
Tartar sauce is a cold sauce, usually served with fish or seafood. It’s mayo based and usually contains some type of chopped pickles, relish, and/or capers.
This recipe uses dill relish and sweet relish with a squeeze of lemon juice for extra tang.
We usually think of serving tartar sauce with fish, but it can also be used as a yummy chip or french fry dip.
How to Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
Add all ingredients, including mayo, dill relish, sweet relish, mustard, and lemon juice, to a medium mixing bowl.
Stir to combine.
Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
What to Eat with Homemade Tartar Sauce
- Baked Catfish Nuggets
- Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish – super easy!
- Lump Crab Cakes
- Cajun Baked Catfish
- Beer Battered Fish – my favorite!
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons dill relish
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients.
- Transfer to a jar or bowl with a lid, and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve cool with your favorite fish.
Notes
- For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. This allows the ingredients to really marry and the flavors to really deepen and combine. I like to make mine the day before to really let the flavors meld.
- This recipe makes about 21 tablespoons total, which makes about 10 (two tablespoon) servings. The nutrition information is for one (2 tablespoon) serving.
- Fresh squeezed lemon is best in this recipe!
- To add even more fresh flavor, you can add a little fresh dill, about 2 teaspoons.
- Customize it to your tastes! Add a little fresh dill, some finely chopped capers, or some fresh chives or parsley.
- Homemade Tartar Sauce can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTES: This recipe was originally published April 2016. It
was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions, and tips January 2019.
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I will use this one! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!
Homemade tartar sauce is the best, especially when I have fresh lemon and fresh dill to make the sauce, 100x better than store-bought!
Made this today for my husband. He is a HUGE tartar sauce fan. It was a hit. He said 5 stars all the way!
This tartar sauce was so easy to make, and delicious. Won’t be using store-bought now.
I couldn’t agree more that homemade sauces are just so much better than storebought. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
I’ve only ever had store bought tartar sauce and was never a big fan, but this recipe made me a convert.