Listen, if you’ve ever had a crispy, golden piece of fried fish or some juicy shrimp and thought, Man, this needs somethin’ extra, then let me put you up on game—homemade tartar sauce is where it’s at. Store-bought just can’t compete with that fresh, creamy, tangy goodness made from scratch. It’s got that perfect balance of richness from the mayo, a little tang from the pickles and lemon, and a hint of bite from fresh dill.
And the best part? You can whip this up in minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. No need for anything fancy—just real, simple flavors that take your seafood to a whole new level.
So if you’re ready to ditch that bland, jarred stuff and take control of your condiments, let’s get into it.
Why You Need This Tartar Sauce in Your Life
Now, I know what you’re thinking—Why should I make my own tartar sauce when I can just buy it? Well, let me break it down real quick.
- Freshness is Everything – The flavors in homemade tartar sauce are vibrant and bright. That store-bought version? Full of preservatives, artificial flavors, and sometimes even added sugar.
- Customizable – You control what goes in. Want it extra tangy? Add more lemon juice. Love pickles? Throw in an extra scoop. Prefer a little heat? Hit it with some hot sauce or cayenne.
- Pairs with More Than Just Seafood – This sauce ain’t just for fish—it’s a game changer for sandwiches, burgers, fries, and even grilled veggies.
- Quick & Easy – Takes less than 10 minutes to make, and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Just a bowl, a spoon, and some simple ingredients.
- Impress Your Guests – Imagine serving up a fish fry or seafood boil and dropping some homemade tartar sauce on the table. That’s next-level hosting right there.
If you’re serious about flavor, this is a must-have recipe in your kitchen arsenal.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
For the best tartar sauce, you need a balance of creamy, tangy, and herby flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ½ cup mayonnaise – The creamy base. Go with real mayo for the best taste.
- ¼ cup sour cream – Adds an extra layer of richness and tang.
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped – Brings a bright, fresh flavor.
- ¼ cup dill pickle, finely chopped (about 1 pickle spear) – The key to that signature tartar sauce tang.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – Deepens the flavor with a little umami goodness.
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard – Adds a slight sharpness and creaminess.
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice – Brightens everything up.
- ¼ teaspoon salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper – A little spice to balance the creaminess.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Make the Best Homemade Tartar Sauce
This recipe is as easy as it gets, but the flavor is out of this world. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Make sure everything is measured out and ready to go. The key to a smooth cooking process is having everything prepped.
Step 2: Chop the Pickles and Dill
Finely chop your dill pickle spear and fresh dill. The smaller the pieces, the better the texture of your tartar sauce.
Step 3: Mix Everything Together
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped dill, chopped pickle, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4: Stir Until Smooth
Use a spoon or a whisk to mix everything together until it’s well combined. You want the sauce to be creamy with evenly distributed ingredients.
Step 5: Chill for Maximum Flavor
Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial—it lets all those flavors meld together for the best taste.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Once chilled, give it one last stir and serve it up with your favorite seafood dishes.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Ingredients – Fresh dill, lemon juice, and quality mayo make a huge difference.
- Chill for at Least 30 Minutes – Letting it sit enhances the flavors. Overnight is even better!
- Finely Chop Your Ingredients – No big chunks; you want that sauce to be smooth and well-blended.
- Adjust to Your Taste – Love extra pickles? Add more. Want it zestier? More lemon juice. Make it your own!
- Spice It Up – Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne for a little heat.
15 Tasty Variations
- Spicy Tartar Sauce – Add a teaspoon of hot sauce or cayenne.
- Sweet & Tangy – Mix in a teaspoon of honey.
- Garlic Lover’s – Add a minced garlic clove.
- Avocado Tartar Sauce – Blend in half an avocado for a creamy twist.
- Chipotle Tartar Sauce – Stir in a teaspoon of chipotle powder.
- Old Bay Tartar Sauce – Sprinkle in some Old Bay seasoning.
- Greek Yogurt Tartar Sauce – Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Relish Tartar Sauce – Use sweet relish instead of chopped pickles.
- Capers Tartar Sauce – Add finely chopped capers for a briny kick.
- Cajun Tartar Sauce – Mix in a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
- Lemon Herb Tartar Sauce – Add extra lemon juice and parsley.
- Ranch-Style Tartar Sauce – Mix in a teaspoon of ranch seasoning.
- Horseradish Tartar Sauce – Stir in a teaspoon of horseradish for extra bite.
- Sriracha Tartar Sauce – Give it a spicy Asian twist with Sriracha.
- Dill Pickle Juice Tartar Sauce – Swap some lemon juice for pickle juice for extra tang.
What to Serve It With (15 Delicious Ideas)
- Fried Fish
- Fish Tacos
- Crab Cakes
- Shrimp Po’ Boys
- Grilled Salmon
- Baked Cod
- Fried Shrimp
- Calamari
- Clam Strips
- Fish Sandwiches
- Chicken Tenders
- French Fries
- Onion Rings
- Hush Puppies
- Fried Green Tomatoes
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Freezing: Not recommended—mayonnaise-based sauces don’t freeze well.
- Best Before Use: The fresher, the better, but it’s still delicious for several days!
How Much Tartar Sauce for Family Gatherings?
A single batch makes about ¾ cup, perfect for a small family meal. For larger gatherings:
- 6-8 people – Double the recipe
- 10-15 people – Triple the recipe
- 20+ people – Make at least 4-5 batches
How Far in Advance Can I Make Tartar Sauce?
You can make it up to 3 days in advance for the best flavor. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
- ¼ cup dill pickle finely chopped (about 1 pickle spear)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Finely chop the fresh dill and dill pickle spear. The finer the chop, the smoother your sauce will be.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped dill, chopped pickle, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything together with a whisk or spoon until the sauce is creamy and well blended.
- Cover and refrigerate the tartar sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- Stir once more before serving. Pairs perfectly with fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes, or crispy fries.
