A great sauce can take a meal from just okay to super delicious. My homemade tartar sauce recipe is perfect for crispy fish fillets, juicy shrimp, or even as a dip for fries. This sauce makes everything taste better. It's creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh flavors that are way better than anything you can buy at the store.
Tartar Sauce
I have a recipe that will make you see tartar sauce in a whole new light! Forget the store-bought stuff, homemade tartar sauce is on a whole different level. When you make it yourself, you get to pick the best ingredients, making sure it's fresh, delicious, and free of any weird preservatives. It is also super easy and quick to make.
This homemade tartar sauce is creamy and tangy, bursting with fresh flavors. The pickles and capers give it a nice crunch, while the lemon juice and Dijon mustard add a zesty kick. Fresh dill brings it all together with its delicious, herby taste. It's perfectly balanced and makes a great match for all your favorite seafood dishes.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Tartar Sauce
Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday items you probably have in your kitchen, it’s quick and easy to whip up.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: Just the right mix of tangy, creamy, and slightly sweet, making it the ideal partner for your favorite seafood.
Customizable: Tweak the ingredients to suit your taste. Like it spicier? Add some hot sauce or chopped jalapeños. Prefer it more tangy? Squeeze in extra lemon juice.
Versatile: Not just for fish! Use it as a dip for veggies, a spread on sandwiches, or a topping for burgers.
Always a Hit: Whether at a casual family dinner or a fancy party, this tartar sauce is sure to impress everyone.
🧾Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Tartar Sauce:
Pickled Gherkin: I love using dill pickles for a tangy crunch and a sweet-sour flavor that adds texture and complexity.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base that binds everything together. Store-bought is fine, but homemade is best. I prefer full-fat mayo, but you can use light mayo or plain yogurt for fewer calories.
Capers: These little bursts of briny flavor are a game-changer.
Fresh Dill: Adds that classic tartar sauce taste, perfectly complementing the tangy gherkins and capers.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright, citrusy kick.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds subtle complexity with its unique blend of sweet, tangy, and umami flavors.
Dijon Mustard: For a subtle tang and extra depth.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Tartar Sauce
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, chopped gherkin, capers, dill, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix everything until well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with more salt, lemon juice, or black pepper.
3. For best results, cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend the flavors.
🍽 What to Serve with Tartar Sauce
Forget the store-bought stuff—try homemade tartar sauce with your favorite Lemon Pepper Chicken, Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Kiev, or Crispy Fried Chicken.
It's also a must-have with my Tuna Croquettes, Chicken Croquettes, or Potato Croquettes.
I love pairing tartar sauce with potatoes. It's fantastic with Bubble Potato Pillow, Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Potato Wedges, or even Potato Tacos.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Use Good Ingredients: Go for the best mayo and fresh ingredients for top-notch flavor.
Chop Finely: Make sure your pickles and capers are finely chopped so the sauce blends smoothly.
Make It Your Own: Feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste. Add more dill if you love it, or extra lemon juice if you want more zest!
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Tartar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Small Pickled Gherkin 115 g Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Capers
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Finely chop the pickled gherkin and capers, and chop the fresh dill.
- In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chopped gherkin, chopped capers, fresh dill, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix everything together until well combined.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, lemon juice, or black pepper according to your preference.
- For best results, cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
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.