Homemade Tartar Sauce

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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

• Crunchy Baked Fish Sticks
• Crispy Fried Onion Straws
• Baked Green Bean Fries

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