Basic Tartar Sauce
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Homemade tartar sauce is creamy, tangy, and the perfect companion to seafood dishes like fish and chips, crab cakes, or fried shrimp. This easy recipe comes together in minutes using ingredients you likely already have. Once you make it fresh, you’ll never go back to the jarred kind.
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Heather’s Notes
- Fresh, homemade flavor that complements any seafood dish.
- Quick prep with no cooking required.
- Customizable to your taste with herbs, pickles, or capers.
- Keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.
- Perfect dip for fries, calamari, or even grilled vegetables.
Ingredient List
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base of the sauce. Use a high-quality or homemade mayo for the best flavor and smooth texture.
- Cornichons – These tiny, tangy pickles add crunch and acidity. You can finely chop them or pulse them in a food processor for a uniform texture.
- Minced Dill – Fresh dill gives tartar sauce its signature herbal flavor. Dried dill works if fresh isn’t available, but use less to avoid overpowering the sauce.
- Lemon Zest & Lemon Juice – Adds brightness and balances the richness of the mayonnaise. Use fresh lemon for the best results.
- Sugar – A small amount smooths out the acidity and enhances the overall flavor.
- Kosher Salt – Enhances all the flavors without making the sauce taste too salty.
Substitutions & Variations
- Pickles: Substitute dill pickles or relish for cornichons. For a sweeter sauce, use sweet pickle relish.
- Herbs: Swap dill with parsley or tarragon for a different flavor profile.
- Acidity: Use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of lemon juice if needed.
- Add-ins: Mix in chopped capers, shallots, or a touch of Dijon mustard for depth.
- Texture: For a smoother tartar sauce, blend the ingredients in a food processor instead of mixing by hand.
Find the full printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions below.
How to Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
- Combine Ingredients – In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, cornichons, minced dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and kosher salt.
- Adjust to Taste – Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more lemon juice for tang, dill for freshness, or sugar for balance.
- Chill Before Serving – Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
- Serve – Serve chilled with fish and chips, crab cakes, or fried shrimp.
- Store – Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips for Storing
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Use within 5 to 7 days for the best flavor.
- Stir before serving, as ingredients may separate slightly.
- Keep away from heat or direct sunlight.
- Do not freeze; the texture will break.
More Recipes to Try
- Pickled Red Onions
- Spice Rubbed Grilled Salmon
- Salmon in Herbed Butter
- Quick Tempura Fish
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Buttermilk Cornbread
Basic Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup minced cornichons
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill fronds
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup minced cornichons, 1 tbsp minced fresh dill fronds, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more lemon juice for tang, dill for freshness, or sugar for balance.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
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Notes
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Co-Founder at Spiceology | More About Heather…
Heather is a recipe developer and content creator living in Vancouver, Washington. She started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006, almost 20 years ago, as a way to share recipes with friends and family. Heather is also the co-founder of Spiceology , a unique spice company, which she started in 2013. She shares family friendly recipes for easy everyday meals with a gourmet twist.
I’ll never buy store-bought again