This homemade tartar sauce recipe is creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh dill, capers, and lemon. It comes together in minutes and tastes so much fresher than anything from a bottle.
Why You'll Love It
- Quick and easy to make in minutes
- Creamy, tangy, and full of fresh flavor
- Perfect with fish, fries, crab cakes, and sandwiches
- Made with simple ingredients you can easily find
- Tastes fresher than store-bought tartar sauce
Fresh sauces are one of those small details that can completely change a meal, and that is exactly why I like making this homemade tartar sauce. A plate of crispy fish, roasted potatoes, or fries can taste good on its own, but once you add a cold, creamy, tangy sauce on the side, everything feels more balanced and complete.
What I like most about this version is how fresh it tastes compared to bottled tartar sauce. The dill stays bright, the capers and gherkins add little salty bites, and the lemon keeps the sauce light instead of heavy. It only takes a few minutes to mix together, but it gives seafood, sandwiches, and potatoes that extra homemade flavor.
Key Ingredients in Tartar Sauce
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at key ingredients and why I use them.
- Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice & Dijon Mustard: I use mayonnaise for the creamy base, then add lemon juice and Dijon mustard to make the tartar sauce brighter, sharper, and less heavy.
- Pickled Gherkin, Capers & Fresh Dill: I like the mix of gherkin, capers, and dill because it gives the sauce that classic tangy flavor with little fresh, salty bites in every spoonful.
- Worcestershire Sauce, Salt & Black Pepper: Worcestershire sauce adds a deeper savory flavor, while salt and black pepper help bring everything together without overpowering the freshness.
How to Make Tartar Sauce
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Mix the Tartar Sauce Base: In a bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, chopped gherkin, capers, fresh dill, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper
2. Mix and Adjust the Flavor: Mix everything until well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with more salt, lemon juice, or black pepper.
3. Chill and Let the Flavors Blend: For best result, cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend the flavors. I am sure you will enjoy trying this tartar sauce recipe.
Tips for the Best Homemade Tartar Sauce
Use Fresh Dill Instead of Dried: I prefer fresh dill here because it keeps the tartar sauce lighter and brighter, while dried dill can make the flavor taste flatter.
Do Not Overmix the Sauce: I like stirring just until everything is combined so the sauce keeps its texture instead of becoming too loose or watery.
Make It a Few Hours Ahead: If I have time, I make the tartar sauce a few hours before serving because the flavor becomes smoother and more balanced as it sits in the fridge.
Storage
Store the tartar sauce in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I like giving it a quick stir before serving again.
What to Serve With Tartar Sauce
Homemade tartar sauce is especially good with crispy fish, fish and chips, crab cakes, salmon patties, roasted potatoes, fries, or croquettes. I also like spreading it inside sandwiches or serving it alongside seafood platters.
Try These Sauce Recipes Next!
Recipe
Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 115 g mayonnaise
- 1 small pickled gherkin - chopped
- 1 tablespoon capers - chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill - chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Finely chop the pickled gherkin, capers, and fresh dill.
- In a bowl, combine ½ cup (115 g) mayonnaise, 1 finely chopped pickled gherkin, 1 tablespoon chopped capers, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Mix everything together until creamy and well combined.
- Taste and adjust with more salt, lemon juice, or black pepper if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
The perfect accompaniment to any fried fish. This tartar sauce is packed with flavor.