This Homemade Tartar Sauce is creamy, lemony, and generously flecked with dill pickles – exactly how I love my tartar sauce!
This tartar sauce recipe needs only 5 ingredients and only about 3 minutes to make. You’ll love how fast and easy it is to whip up homemade tartar sauce!
Whether you have a sudden need for tartar sauce and are wondering if you have the ingredients to make it at home, or if you just want to make your own condiments, I’m here to tell you that making your own tartar sauce is almost shockingly easy!
Mix together just a few ingredients and you’re on your way to the perfect sauce for fries, fish, and more.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Tartar Sauce
There’s just something so satisfying about being able to make your own condiments! Tartar Sauce in particular is super simple to make. Once you know the base recipe, you can customize your homemade tartar sauce however you like. Love it lemony? Double up on it! Dill fan? Add more more more! My guy loves to shake a bit of green Tabasco into his tartar sauce, and he’s right – it’s spicy and delicious.
You NEED a signature tartar sauce in your life. It’s true.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – Use your favorite brand, or if you’re eating vegan, opt for a vegan mayo.
- Dill pickles – You can start with whole pickles or spears. I like to dice them pretty finely.
- Lemon juice – You don’t need a lot of fresh lemon juice, so one lemon should be plenty.
- Sugar – I really wanted to love my homemade tartar sauce recipe without sugar, but the truth is, I think it’s a must-have ingredient! You don’t need a lot, but it adds that signature kiss of sweetness that makes tartar sauce so delicious.
- Onion powder – Onion powder is such a secret weapon ingredient. It adds the most wonderful depth of flavor, and you don’t even have to do any chopping! Win win.
- Dill – You’ll want just a touch of fresh minced dill (or you can use dried dill if fresh isn’t available; it’s also delicious!)
Adaptations/Variations
- Add a touch of Dijon mustard. Many homemade tartar sauce recipes call for Dijon. I tried it with the mustard, but I felt like the overall flavor wasn’t as good – like it muddled the other flavors a bit to much and no longer tasted like pure tartar sauce. But if you’re a Dijon mustard lover, I encourage you to try it – maybe it will be perfect for you!
- Spicy Tartar Sauce: Add a few dashes of green Tabasco sauce, to taste. My guy swears by this!
- Vegan Tartar Sauce: Use a vegan mayo like Vegenaise.
How to Make Tartar Sauce
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl.
- Mix it all together.
- Taste and add more dill, lemon, or sugar, if you like.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
I hope this homemade tartar sauce fulfills all of your tartar sauce dreams! It’s just so easy to make at home, and you can customize it however you like it.
More Delicious Homemade Sauce Recipes
- Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
- Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Homemade Pizza Sauce
- Fresh Tomato Pizza Sauce
- Peanut Sauce
Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup finely diced dill pickles (about 3 dill pickle spears or one large dill pickle)
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh dill (or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Mix until well-combined. Serve.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
Adaptations/Variations
- Add a touch of Dijon mustard. Many homemade tartar sauce recipes call for Dijon. I tried it with the mustard, but I felt like the overall flavor wasn’t as good – like it muddled the other flavors a bit to much and no longer tasted like pure tartar sauce. But if you’re a Dijon mustard lover, I encourage you to try it – maybe it will be perfect for you!
- Spicy Tartar Sauce: Add a few dashes of green Tabasco sauce, to taste. My guy swears by this!
- Vegan Tartar Sauce: Use a vegan mayo like Vegenaise.
Hi! I’m Karen – I’m a real person with real recipes. No A.I. here! Since 2009, every recipe on Kitchen Treaty is thoroughly tested and loved before I hit “publish.” I’m a home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m a vegetarian married to a carnivore, and my goal is to coexist deliciously.
