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    Home » Appetizers

    Tartar Sauce Recipe

    Published: Apr 17, 2020 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Forget about store bought, once you make this homemade tartar sauce recipe you will never buy it again. 

    Try serving this with shrimp, french fries, fish sticks or even these mini crab cakes. 

    Bowl of tartar sauce with fish sticks

    My family calls me the condiment queen. I love to dip my food in a sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch and especially this tartar sauce from scratch. It has so much flavor without all of the preservatives that dip from the store contains. 

    What is it?

    This classic dipping sauce is the perfect thing to use, especially with fried foods. The name comes from the French sauce tartare and it’s essentially an aioli or mayonnaise based sauce.

    Capers, pickles, lemon, mayonnaise and parsley

    What is it made of?

    • Mayonnaise – The base to this delicious sauce. I like to use full fat but low fat would also work. 
    • Pickles – Diced, crunchy pickles add a nice dill flavor. If you prefer sweet, you could substitute pickle relish.
    • Lemon juice – Balances out the everything with a nice bright flavor. 
    • Capers – Add a unique flavor and texture. 
    • Optional : Ground black pepper or horseradish

    How to make

    Scroll down for full printable recipe, ingredients and video.

    1. Stir: Mix all of the ingredients together and be sure to let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to let the flavors come together. 

    steps to making sauce, mayo, pickles, capers and lemon juice

    Recipe tips

    • Make sure to chop the pickles really small. 
    • Don’t have fresh parsley, substitute for 1/4 teaspoon of dried or use fresh dill.
    • Allow to sit in the refrigerator before serving to ensure the flavors come together.

    How long does it last?

    This recipe will last for about a week if you keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir when ready to eat.

    What are the best pickles to use?

    I really like the taste of classic dill pickles. They have the perfect amount of tang that works well with this recipe. You could use gherkins, pickle relish or bread and butter pickles for a little sweetness. 

    Tartar sauce in a bowl with fish sticks

    More recipes to enjoy

    If you are a condiment fan like me, be sure to give these recipes a try. 

    • Chick-Fil-A sauce tastes just like the restaurants. Great for chicken, fries and burgers.
    • Teriyaki sauce is great to use for homemade chicken stir fry. 
    • Pico de Gallo is a fresh and flavorful combination of tomatoes, onions an spices. 

    ***Make this recipe? Feel free to leave a comment and rating below.

    Bowl with tartar sauce and fish sticks
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Tartar Sauce Recipe

    Easy homemade tartar sauce recipe.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: tartar sauce
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 192kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/3 cup chopped dill pickle or pickle relish
    • 1 teaspoon pickle juice
    • 1 tablespoon drained capers
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

    Instructions

    • Mix together mayonnaise, pickles, pickle juice, capers, lemon juice and parsley.
    • Optional, add 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @foodlovinfamily or tag #foodlovinfamily!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon Minnick

      January 31, 2023 at 5:25 pm

      I already make my own tarter sauce but how long can you keep your recipe in fridge?

      Reply
      • heather

        January 31, 2023 at 7:38 pm

        It will stay good for about a week if kept in an airtight container or jar.

        Reply
    2. Laura

      June 02, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! I made this today and used it with my salmon patties! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Daynia

      April 20, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      I’m not a fish lover but I will be sure to share this recipe with my mom and fiance’

      Reply
    4. Catalina

      April 19, 2020 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      wow! It’s so easy to make this tartar sauce at home! I will make it today!

      Reply
    5. Lynndee

      April 18, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      Tartar sauce is one of my son’s fave sauces ever. I haven’t tried preparing it myself, though. Thank you for the recipe. Will try it sometime.

      Reply
    6. Pinja

      April 18, 2020 at 10:28 am

      Ooohh this sounds delicious. I pinned it so I can make it next week when we’re having fish. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    7. Marysa

      April 18, 2020 at 3:24 am

      This sounds yummy. I would have never thought to make my own tartar sauce, and it is nice to be able to customize it too.

      Reply
    8. Terri Steffes

      April 18, 2020 at 1:50 am

      Bingo! You gotta have the lemon juice. I had some once without it and it was so flat and flavorless.

      Reply
    9. Beth

      April 18, 2020 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never made tartar sauce before, but we love it. I’ll have to make this.

      Reply
    10. Amber Myers

      April 17, 2020 at 9:43 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds tasty! I’ll have to make it when I prepare fish sticks for my daughter. She loves her seafood.

      Reply
      • Rose Ann Sales

        April 21, 2020 at 9:56 am

        I love condiments too! I haven’t tried making a tartar sauce. Sounds very delicious.

        Reply
    11. Jen

      April 17, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      I’ve had a major fish stick craving lately so this is perfect! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    12. Rog Willis

      April 17, 2020 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      When my wife and I used to make our own tartar sauce, we just mixed dill relish (I made a little for myself with sweet relish!) and Hellman’s Mayonnaise! This is a great recipe!

      Reply

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