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Homemade Tartar Sauce is a delicious condiment that is so easy to make and comes together in under 5 minutes. With just 6 simple ingredients, you’ll want to keep it in the fridge all the time.
It’s no secret that I never learned to cook until I was an adult. And when I did learn, I relied almost exclusively on store-bought sauces because I believed that sauces were difficult to make. Since pre-made sauces were so readily available at the grocery, there was no need to tempt fate.
One of the very first sauces I mastered was for my Asian Quinoa Meatballs. Once I realized my fears were unfounded, I was on a mission. They almost always taste better, I know exactly what’s in them, and I can make what I need so there’s less waste.
Last summer I made a fabulous Coconut Milk Ranch Dressing, and I recently made my first Italian sauce, Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce.
Whenever I eat fried fish, I need to have tartar sauce for dipping. It’s kind of like ketchup for french fries. But I also have this bad habit with store-bought sauces. I buy them with great plans to create numerous recipes to use it all. Then it sits in the fridge, at most half-used, until I clean out the fridge and throw the expired sauce away.
So one day at the grocery store I looked at the tartar sauce ingredients and decided I could make my own Homemade Tartar Sauce
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- It’s an easy recipe with only 6 ingredients
- You know exactly what’s in it, and you can make just the amount you need
- It’s a great condiment for a wide variety of dishes
INGREDIENT TIPS FOR HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE
Use real mayonnaise or Avocado Oil Mayo. I usually use avocado oil mayo, but when I’m feeling indulgent I’ll use Duke’s Mayonnaise because I love the taste.
Do not use imitation mayo, as it completely changes the flavor of the sauce
Greek yogurt adds such a wonderful tart bite. It’s also a great way to lighten up the sauce, rather than using all mayonnaise.
I always have Bread & Butter Pickles in the fridge, so that’s what I use. But really any tart pickle will do the trick
I tried fresh garlic, but it’s a little too powerful for Homemade Tartar Sauce. So I use garlic powder, and it adds just the right amount of flavor.
Lemons are plentiful all year long and inexpensive, so use real lemon juice and zest. And when you’re done with the lemons, toss them in the garbage disposal for a natural cleaner.
It’s rare to find big bunches of fresh dill at the grocery store, but most stores do sell it in small packages in the “convenience” section of the produce aisle.
Let Homemade Tartar Sauce rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using. This allows the flavors to fully develop.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE
Chop pickles into very small dice (PIC 1), and mince fresh dill (PIC 2)
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, pickles, and fresh dill (PIC 3). Squeeze in fresh lemon juice, and mix well to combine
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I make substitutions? Of course you can, and below are a few simple tips to make the recipe your own:
- Add minced onions or shallots
- Use Capers or Pickle Relish instead of pickles
- Swap out fresh parsley and/or chives for the fresh dill
- Add a little Dijon Mustard
- Instead of garlic powder, try some smashed roasted garlic
Is tartar sauce just for seafood? Not even close! Try it with french fries, hush puppies, as a sandwich spread, or even with deviled eggs. Be creative!
How long will Homemade Tartar Sauce last? 2-3 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container. Mix well before using each time, just in case the ingredients have begun to separate.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE
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Homemade Tartar Sauce
Homemade Tartar Sauce is a delicious condiment that is so easy to make and ready in under 5 minutes. With just 6 simple ingredients, you'll want to keep it in the fridge all the time. It's most commonly used with fried seafood, but it's also great with french fries, as a sandwich spread, or even with deviled eggs.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (real, light, or fat free)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon finely diced Bread & Butter Pickles
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh dill, minced
- juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, pickles, garlic powder, dill, and lemon juice. Mix well
- Store in fridge for 30 minutes before using, to develop flavors
Notes
Do not use imitation mayo! This will completely change the flavor of the sauce. You can use Real Mayonnaise or Avocado Oil Mayo. For the real mayonnaise you can use full-fat, light or fat free.
Let the sauce rest for at least 30 minutes, so the flavors can develop
Keep extra sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
Mix well before using each time
Substitution ideas
- Add minced onions or shallots
- Use Capers or Pickle Relish instead of pickles
- Swap out fresh parsley and/or chives for the fresh dill
- Add a little Dijon Mustard
- Instead of garlic powder, try smashed roasted garlic
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 121Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 116mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g
Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients, etc
Jacquelyn Hastert says
Homemade tartar sauce is the best and you have timed this perfectly with lent! Whenever I can toss out the jar and make homemade I do so.
Karyl says
Thanks Jacquelyn! I have a jar of it in my fridge right now, and just keep making excuses to make fish so I can use it!
Deseree says
Just in time for all the fish I’ll be eating during lent. I’ll be mixing it up this week.
Karyl says
Thanks Deseree! I hope you love it as much as I do
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
I never thought to make homemade tartar sauce. Love how easy this is! This would be perfect on top of homemade salmon burgers that I make. I definitely need to keep this stashed in my fridge!
Amanda Mason says
I hated tartar sauce as a child and teen but as an adult I can’t live without it! Love dill and loving that this is only 6 ingredients!! How long with this keep in the fridge? Definitely making this!!
Pearl Rodrigues says
I love tartar sauce when served with fish fingers however never tried making it myself. But this looks so easy and I have all the ingredients required to make it so giving it a shot
Karyl says
Thanks Pearl! I hope you love it as much as I do
Jennifer says
Best Tartar Sauce EVER!!! So delicious and super simple to make!
Lorie says
I loooooove tartar sauce. And I had absolutely no idea it was so easy to make. Just gotta grab some fresh dill and I’m all set!
Analida Braeger says
Im glad i found this recipe during the lenten season as our diet on friday mostly consists of fish, never attempted to make tartar sauce; but this is the time for change 🙂 thanks for sharing
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I’ve never tried Greek yogurt in my tartar sauce before! Trying your recipe next time i make it 🙂 p.s. I love the curvy design of your spoon! lol!
Anna says
Tartar sauce is one of my favourite condiments! Best companion for fish and chips, and homemade version is sooo much better and healthier than the shop-bought one!
Amanda says
This homemade tartar sauce is great! I pretty much always have the ingredients on hand, and it’s a million times more delicious than anything you can buy at the store. Thanks for sharing!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
How have I never thought to make my own tartar sauce!? This looks so good! I’d love to try it with some fish sometime soon!! 🙂
Karyl says
Thanks Katherine! It’s super easy to make, and I hope you get the chance to do it soon
April says
I can’t believe this sauce comes under 5 minutes. It looks amazing and as if you would need much more time than that. Definitely something I would like to see in my fridge, too!
Jo says
I’m a person who loves making homemade sauces. It’s not just simple to making but they also give total control on flavors and quantity. Love tartar sauce and love how perfect the sauce looks.
Karyl says
I absolutely agree with you Jo! Homemade sauces are the best
Melissa says
You don’t even know how badly I need this!!! I am soooooooo over store bought tartar sauce, I can never find one that I like. Cannot wait to try this delicious recipe.
Jenni LeBaron says
I think making homemade sauces is always superior to whatever comes in a bottle, especially because you can use fresh herbs. We love dunking our fried fish and french fries in tartar sauce, but I also like keeping it as a fun ingredient for baked fish as well.
Mahy Elamin says
I make this all the time and it is a huge hit!! SO much better than any store bought tartar sauce or any other recipe that I have tried. Its perfect!
Danielle Wolter says
I just loooove making sauces! and if it has pickles, even better! tartar is the best with french fries IMO!
Karyl says
I only recently tried tartar sauce with french fries, and I do really like it!