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This easy tartar sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and comes together in just 5 minutes using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It’s the perfect dipping sauce for salmon patties, crab cakes, fish sticks, and all your favorite seafood recipes. Once you make this simple tartar sauce from scratch, you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This go-to recipe is one I’ve made more times than I can count—especially during summer when seafood is on repeat in our kitchen. It has that classic creamy texture, fresh dill flavor, and tangy brightness that makes everything from fish sticks to shrimp feel elevated.
I love that it’s made from basic ingredients, like mayonnaise, chopped pickles, and lemon juice. It’s also flexible: you can make it lighter with Greek yogurt, or use sweet relish for a touch of sweetness.
Every time I make this, I pair it with salmon cakes or tuna patties, and it holds up beautifully for days in the fridge without separating. It’s our family’s best tartar sauce recipe — hands down.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick look at what goes into this homemade tartar sauce recipe:
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base. You can also use plain Greek yogurt for a lighter or dairy-optional version.
- Dill pickles: Chopped for texture and flavor. Sweet relish or dill relish work too—just adjust sugar accordingly.
- Dill pickle juice: Adds that signature tangy kick.
- Capers: Finely chopped for saltiness and depth.
- Fresh dill: Use fresh herbs when possible, but dried dill weed works in a pinch.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the whole sauce. A squeeze goes a long way.
- Sugar: Optional, especially if you’re using sweet pickles.
- Onion powder: A subtle savory layer.
- Ground black pepper: Just a touch for balance.
These simple ingredients come together for the best flavor and a rich, creamy base.
How to Make This Easy Tartar Sauce
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a small mixing bowl or mason jar. Stir well until fully combined.
Step 2: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more pickle juice for tang or more chopped pickles for texture.
Tip: Let the sauce chill in the fridge for 15–30 minutes for even better flavor. It gets better as it sits!
Serving Suggestions
This classic condiment pairs beautifully with:
- Paleo Whole30 Salmon Cakes
- Simple and Easy Tuna Patties
- Crab cakes
- Fish sticks
- Fish & chips
- Fried or baked fish fillets
- Shrimp, oysters, or scallops
We’ve even used it as a dip for sweet potato fries. It’s one of those favorite seafood recipes sidekicks you’ll always want in the fridge.
Storage Tips
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir before each use.
- This sauce does not freeze well—the creamy texture won’t hold after thawing.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use all Greek yogurt or a 50/50 blend with mayo for a lighter version. It has a tangier flavor and a thicker consistency.
Chopped dill pickles or dill relish are traditional. Sweet relish is fine too—just reduce the sugar in the recipe to balance the sweetness.
Up to one week in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir well before each use.
Freezing is not recommended. The mayo-based creamy condiment will likely separate once thawed.
It can be! Just use a compliant mayo and omit the sugar. Everything else is naturally Whole30 and paleo-friendly.
This easy tartar sauce has become one of our all-time favorite condiments. With its creamy base, fresh dill pickles, and lemony zing, it adds bold flavor to any seafood dish—without any preservatives or added junk.
More Delicious Recipes
- Whole30 BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Paleo Coconut Shrimp with Sriracha Mayo Dipping Sauce
- Simple and Easy Tuna Patties
- Easy Salmon Cakes (Gluten-Free)
If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!
Easy Tartar Sauce (Better Than Store-Bought!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp dill pickle juice
- 1 tbsp capers, fine chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Taste to adjust seasoning to your liking. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Pickles: There are a few variations of pickles/relish you can use in this recipe. You can replace the dill pickles with sweet pickle relish or chopped sweet pickles, but omit the sugar if you do. Alternatively, you can use dill pickle relish instead of chopping the dill pickles, but keep the sugar.
- Mayo: For a vegan tartar sauce, use vegan mayonnaise (homemade or from the grocery store works). If you want to make a “lightened up” version of this homemade tartar sauce recipe, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt or regular plain yogurt for the mayonnaise.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir before each use.
- This sauce does not freeze well—the creamy texture won’t hold after thawing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
