Homemade tartar sauce is so easy to make yourself. With freshly squeezed lemon and chopped dill, it tastes so much better than anything you can buy.
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Homemade Tartar Sauce turns even boring fish sticks into a creamy delight! We came up with this recipe when we made our scrumptious Fish and Chips. We’ve tried so many store bought and restaurant served tartar sauces over the years, and we definitely prefer the zesty flavor of this homemade version. It’s all about using the freshest ingredients for this recipe. Believe us, it makes all the difference! Plus, it’s so easy to make and costs much less than most store bought brands. Give it a try for yourself; we promise you’ll love it!
Best Ingredients to Use for Homemade Tartar Sauce
- For the very best flavor, use fresh squeezed lemon and fresh dill. There’s just something so fresh and light about using juice from a real lemon. For maximum juice, roll it on the counter for a few seconds before slicing in half and squeeze cut side up, to avoid getting seeds in the sauce. Or you can microwave your lemon for about 10 seconds, which really gets those tangy juices flowing.
- Dill weed loses its freshness quickly, so if you’re purchasing dill, use it with a day or two of purchase. If you grow dill in your garden, pick it just before you plant to use it in a recipe. The dill leaves will wilt and lose their flavor if kept in the fridge too long.
- Don’t worry about too much dill overpowering the dish. The dill weed has such a mild flavor that you can add quite a bit if you choose.
- When chopping fresh dill leaves, remove the feathery fern-like leaves and stems from the thick center stem. Discard the stem, then use a sharp chopping knife to mince the leaves to the desired consistency.
- If you don’t have fresh dill available, use dried dill! Be sure to crush the dill leaves between your fingers before adding to the tartar sauce, which will bring out more of the flavor.
- Use a good quality mayonnaise; it makes a huge difference in the taste of the sauce. We really love Best Foods or Hellman’s Mayo, but use whatever you prefer.
More Delicious Seafood Recipes
We have lots of tasty seafood and fish recipes that you are going to love! There are so many great ways to cook up fish and use this homemade tartar sauce. Try a few of our favorites:
- Cilantro-Lime Halibut
- Crab Cakes
- Easy Fish Tacos
- Father’s Day Herb Salmon
- Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos
- Halibut Tacos
- Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia
- Pecan Crusted Salmon
How To Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise Best Foods or Hellmann's
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons dill pickle finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons dill weed finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, combine mayo, lemon juice, chopped dill pickles and dill weed, and pepper.
- Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. The longer, the better. Flavors will get stronger with more time.
- Stir before serving. Great as a dip or dressing with seafood!
linda payne says
Instead of chopping up pickles I just use relish, and one day we were out of relish and my daughter had to eat store bought tarter sauce and she was like this is the worst stuff ever. I think it’s one of those things when you start making home made you can’t go back to store bought
Bird says
SO TRUE!
Bird says
And I use dill relish. I think it cuts a lot of the prep time and it’s perfect!
southerngirl says
This is wonderful, but I added just a tad of grated onion too. An alternate sauce I learned on a trip to the Philippines that is quite good for fish, and a nice change once in a while is:
1/2 cup good Mayo, 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic (very finely minced or pressed thru garlic press). That’s all. Just mix well together and since the Mayo and mustard are already kept in the frig the mix is ready to serve. Hope you will give it a try.
Cylinda says
Oh yea, I’m going to try this tonight!!! Just got back from a fishing trip in Fla. fresh Snook…
Marysue says
I love, love, LOVE homemade tartar sauce! I also prefer dill to sweet, and I add finely minced sweet onion, some finely chopped capers, and a little dried tarragon, crushed between my fingers…and it is KICK butt good
Helene Wood says
I just use mayo and sweet pickle relish, its great. I always put lemon on seafood, but I will try it in the tarter sauce and in one of the comments it said capers, that sounds great also.
Stephanie says
Finely minced onions, and minced capers are a must for tartar sauce—add them next time you make this and see!
Echo says
Great idea! I’ll try it!
Debbie says
I agree with adding the minced capers and onion. Penzey’s makes a nice mix called Sunny Paris and I also add some of that. So good!
Erica says
YUM! Great idea! I love the idea of capers!
buckthorne says
Recipe is great. One thing I always do on mayo recipes is go halves with sour cream. Makes it a little ‘cleaner/less heavy’ taste or whatever.
Echo says
I love that idea! Thanks for sharing the tip!
marc Eleish says
I really enjoy a homade of tartar sauce.
Emily says
Me too, and I LOVE this one!
Carrie says
i love this recipe!! So simple and very tasty!! How long does it keep in the fridge?
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Emily says
Thank you! It should last about 2 weeks in the fridge.
Deborrah says
I have an uncle who is a chef, and when he taught me to make tartar sauce he used shallot instead of onion or garlic. Try it!
Trina Cllarise Hershberger-Roszell says
My momma, from Blevins, Ark., only fed us dill tarter sauce. We did, and still do, eat it right out of the container! Who needs fish? Right! Here you go….do ENJOY!!!! 1 1/2 C Best foods Mayo, 1small jar baby dills, chopped to you’re liking, 1/2 a white onion chopped fine, less if it is strong, a clove or two of garlic,chopped fine, a sprig or two of fresh dill fronds chopped fine, a bit of fresh ground pepper, and a squeeze of lemon from the tree in the backyard. Chill awhile. Ready to eat on its own, also wonderful with fried fish!! .. Fresh is best but I’ve made do with what I’ve had and its the best.I’m 52 and have never eaten store bought…Thank you my momma…Geta Jo Theobolt Hershberger. I love YOU! Your daughter… Trina Clarise Hershberger-Roszell
Danny says
I just go by Luby’s and buy some. Can not be any better!
Sonya says
Try adding a dash of Worcestershire. Very good too.
Fozzy says
Hellmans? Y’all must be damn Yankees. The only mayo that exists is Duke’s by God mayo.
Danny says
Ya”ll try any of the above – plus: chopped egg yolk / white (instead of black) pepper. Will never go back !
Erica says
Never heard of using egg yolk– will definitely give it a try! Thanks!
sheila lynchy says
love tartan sauce but never made it .so thanks I will defo be making this. one ..
Ann says
I’ve been using plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Much better for you and no one can tell the difference. Even use it on baked potatoes too! I’ve always used sweet relish but going to make it with dill. Thanks for all the ideas!
Echo says
Thanks, Ann! What a great substitution!
Wayne - Calgary,Canada says
Had no dill pickles or pickle relish as we’ve always used my late wife’s much loved home made zucchini relish on anything requiring relish, so I used it in this recipe – what a wonderful, flavourful surprise – better than any other tartar sauce I’ve had, homemade or commercial.
Echo says
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it!
DannyKewl says
For those who are looking for Best Foods as listed before Hellman’s, and can’t find it (or vice versa), they are the same. Hellman’s Eastern US, Best Foods Western US. Same company, same label, different brand name but same company. I have heard Duke’s is the best, but only in the southern states, so I never had it, would like to try it. But Best Foods/Hellman’s better than Kraft IMO. Don’t use Miracle Whip, too sweet.
Anyway, made a real simple sauce tonight, just eyeballed a portion of Hellman’s, diced up a few lager pieces of Vlasic’s “Ovals” Hamburger Dill Chips, and a little red onion, both diced fairly fine. Added a dash of garlic powder and powdered paprika. Mixed well, let set 20 minutes before use, even that better than bottled. I forgot a dash of Worcestershire sauce (I only use Lea & Perrins brand), but still came out pretty good. No mustard or lemon juice added, I think mayo already has lemon juice in it?
Sam says
What’s your go-to pickle choice? I know a lot of people like vlasic but I can’t stand that vinegary taste. I usually get something lacto-fermented like Bubbie’s pickles. I decided to make my own tartar sauce because we eat so much fish at home that we practically go through a store-bought bottle of tartar sauce every week. Thanks for sharing, it was delicious!
Favorite Family Recipes says
We’ve used a few different kinds – usually just whatever is on hand or on sale! So glad you like this recipe!
Werm Man says
OMG ! I don’t know if you Know that Hellmans stopped making there tartar sauce( My Fav ). But they have. I called them and it has been De listed. Which means they no longer make it. I have been trying all other brands none to my liking. Well I came across your site and what a find ! It is Soooooo Gooood ! Did use Dill relish and drained the juice out. Also used Dried Dill. Let it stand over night. WoW ! Had that with my Panko Breaded Cod and Steward tomatoes. Thank You !
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you so much for sharing! We have never had the Hellman’s tartar sauce before but I am glad this is a good substitute for it! Thanks for letting us know!
Billy says
Been looking for a good tartar sauce recipe! Thank you so much. Cannot wait to make this at home.
Favorite Family Recipes says
So excited for you to try it! Let us know what you think!
Paula says
This is a great recipe! I think it would be fine “as is”, but I did add minced onion, a touch of garlic onion, and a splash of hot sauce. Used everything else in the recipe, too. Super yummy!
Paula says
My comment should say “garlic powder”, not “garlic onion.” LOL
kerry taylor says
Yum!! Who doesn’t love tartar sauce? I made this but w just a couple of changes. I used dill pickle juice in place of the lemon juice and omitted the minced pickle (prob cuz I’m lazy-ish). I also added about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp minced dried onion. Fresh would be good but again, I’m lazy-ish. Turned out quite yummy. Can’t wait for dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing great recipe.
Rachel says
Wow. Super easy since I typically have these ingredients on hand. I can make as tart and spicy to suite my family and guests tastes. Definitely a keeper.
Erica Walker says
So glad you liked it! Thanks Rachel!
Rachel says
I forgot the 5 star rating in my posting!