Tartar Sauce Recipe

This tartar sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh flavor, making it the perfect companion for fish, seafood, chips, and sandwiches. Made with mayonnaise, pickles, capers, lemon juice, and herbs, this homemade sauce tastes far fresher than any store-bought version. It has a smooth, rich texture with little bursts of crunch and brightness in every spoonful. Best of all, this easy tartar sauce comes together in just 10 minutes with no cooking required.

Ingredients

For the Tartar Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles or gherkins
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pickle juice
• 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped chives
• A small pinch of paprika
• A dash of hot sauce for heat

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings

How to Make tartar sauce recipe

• Prepare the ingredients: Finely chop the pickles, capers, parsley, dill, and chives if using. Keeping the pieces small helps the sauce stay smooth and balanced.
• Add the mayonnaise: Place the mayonnaise into a medium mixing bowl. Use full-fat mayonnaise for the richest texture and flavor.
• Mix in the flavorings: Add the chopped pickles, capers, parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, pickle juice, and grated garlic to the bowl.
• Season the sauce: Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper. Add optional dill, chives, paprika, or hot sauce if desired.
• Stir until combined: Mix everything together thoroughly with a spoon until the tartar sauce is creamy and evenly blended.
• Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce for at least 20 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors develop and taste even better.
• Serve and enjoy: Spoon the tartar sauce into a serving bowl and enjoy with fish, chips, crab cakes, fried shrimp, sandwiches, or roasted vegetables.

Tips for the Best tartar sauce recipe

How do I make tartar sauce taste fresher?

Fresh lemon juice and freshly chopped herbs make a huge difference. Avoid bottled lemon juice if possible, as it can taste overly sharp.

Can I make tartar sauce smoother?

Yes, chop the pickles and capers very finely. Smaller pieces create a creamier texture that spreads easily.

Why should I chill tartar sauce before serving?

Resting the sauce in the refrigerator allows the flavors to blend together properly, creating a more balanced and flavorful result.

What mayonnaise works best?

Use a thick, full-fat mayonnaise for the richest and creamiest tartar sauce. Homemade mayonnaise also works beautifully.

Can I make this sauce healthier?

You can replace part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version while still keeping a creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with battered fish and chips
• Spread onto fish sandwiches and burgers
• Pair with crab cakes or fried shrimp
• Use as a dip for roasted potatoes
• Spoon over grilled salmon or cod
• Serve alongside seafood platters

Storage

Room Temperature

Because tartar sauce contains mayonnaise, it should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Refrigerator

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended because mayonnaise-based sauces can separate and become watery after thawing.

Nutrition

• Calories: 140 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 310mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

FAQs

tartar sauce recipe

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Total time

10

minutes

Calories

140

kcal

Creamy homemade tartar sauce made with mayonnaise, pickles, capers, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Perfect for seafood, fish and chips, sandwiches, and dipping.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles or gherkins

• 1 tablespoon capers, drained and finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon pickle juice

• 1 small garlic clove, finely grated

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Finely chop the pickles, capers, parsley, and any optional herbs.
• Place the mayonnaise into a medium mixing bowl.
• Add the chopped pickles, capers, parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, pickle juice, and garlic.
• Season with salt and black pepper.
• Stir everything together until smooth and creamy.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving.
• Serve chilled with fish, seafood, chips, or sandwiches.

Notes

• Use full-fat mayonnaise for the creamiest texture.
• Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.