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Home » Recipes » Sauces, Dips & Topping Recipes

Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

Published: Apr 24, 2021 · Modified: May 14, 2021 by Colleen 50 Comments

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a jar of Homemade Tartar Sauce on a wooden table.
a jar of Homemade Tartar Sauce on a wooden table.

This Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe is so simple to make, and so delicious that you may never want the store-bought stuff again!

A jar filled with tarter sauce on a wooden board.
Jump to:
  • Why Make Your Own?
  • What Are The Ingredients?
  • How To Make It
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Tips
  • How To Enjoy It:
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Why Make Your Own?

The number one reason for making this easy tartar sauce recipe: it's just simply delicious. Nothing from the store can compare.

Secondly, it takes 5 minutes to make. It's great to whip up a small batch while your Air Fryer Salmon is cooking. You will also love tartar sauce with other seafood recipes, like Cajun Crab Cakes or Salmon Cakes .

Finally, this recipe contains only a few simple ingredients that you possibly already have in your kitchen.

What Are The Ingredients?

The ingredients to make easy tartar sauce.
  • Mayonnaise For best results use full-fat, real mayonnaise.
  • Capers Capers are actually the tiny flower buds of the caper bush, which is native to the Mediterranean. They have a salty/sour taste that works perfectly in tartar sauce. If you don't have capers, you can substitute a finely chopped dill pickle.
  • Lemon Juice Real lemon juice is essential.
  • Fresh Dill Fresh dill really shines here, but if you don't have it, go ahead and used dried dill.
  • Dried Onion Dried flaked onion, or onion powder is perfect because you won't need to cut a whole onion for the small quality required for the recipe.

How To Make It

Ingredients for tartar sauce being stirred together in a glass bowl.

Simply combine all the ingredients, then keep it in the fridge in a covered container until you're ready to use it. It's that easy!

FAQs

What if I don't have capers?

If you don't have capers, you can finely chop a dill pickle. Your tartar sauce won't be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious.

What if I don't have fresh dill?

Substitute 1 teaspoon of dried dill for the fresh dill. Tip: you can also add a teaspoon of dill pickle juice instead.

How long does homemade tartar sauce keep?

This sauce will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! This recipe makes a small batch, but if you can easily double the recipe if you want more.

Recipe Tips

  • Homemade tartar sauce is delicious enough to use right away but even better if you can store it in the fridge for an hour before using it.
  • Make sure your ingredients are cold. Tartar sauce is best when it's chilled.
  • Taste and add more capers and or dill, if you choose.
  • You can also add a dash of hot sauce, like tabasco if you want a bit more zing.
  • Store homemade tarter sauce in a glass jar with a lid. A half-pint jar is the perfect size.
A jar of homemade tartar sauce with a lemon and a sprig of dill on a wooden board.

How To Enjoy It:

Homemade tartar sauce is delicious for many things other than just fish! Use it for dipping vegetables, spreading on burgers, or any of these:

  • Oven Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
  • Baked Zucchini Fritters
  • Lemon Garlic Grilled Shrimp
  • Coconut Shrimp Tacos

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important!

Recipe

Homemade Tartar Sauce

Homemade Tartar Sauce is so simple to make, and so delicious that you may never want store-bought again.
5 from 29 votes
Print Pin Rate
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Course: Sauces, Dips & Toppings
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 98kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Ingredients

  • 1 cup real mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoon capers chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes or onion powder
  • ½ lemon juice and zest

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

  • Homemade tartar sauce is delicious enough to use right away, but even better if you can store it in the fridge for an hour before using it.
  • Make sure your ingredients are cold. Tartar sauce is best when it's chilled.
  • Taste your finished sauce and add more capers and or dill, if you would like.
  • You can also add a dash of hot sauce, like tabasco, if you want a bit more zing.
  • Store homemade tarter sauce in a glass jar with a lid. A half-pint jar is the perfect size.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFoodBlog or tag #thefoodblog!
« Air Fryer Salmon
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine

    April 28, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    So much more flavour than store-bought tartar sauce! This is a keeper recipe!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 28, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      So happy that you loved it, Elaine! Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  2. Enriqueta E Lemoine

    April 28, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    I made this homemade tartar sauce and it was one of the best tartar sauces I ever tried. I highly recommend it!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 28, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Enriqueta. I'm super happy to know this. Thanks so much for coming back to share!

      Reply
  3. NATALIA

    April 28, 2021 at 10:04 am

    Tartar sauce is one of my nephew's favorite. What perfect timing — my nephew’s birthday is this coming weekend and I'm in charge of the party's menu. Will try your recipe for sure!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 28, 2021 at 12:29 pm

      Hi Natalia, I hope you'll let me know how it turns out! Happy Birthday to your nephew!

      Reply
  4. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady

    April 27, 2021 at 7:46 pm

    Capers are so underrated. I'm so glad you've added them to this tartar sauce. This is a great recipe to have on hand.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 27, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      Thanks Cindy. Capers are delicious in this tartar sauce!

      Reply
  5. amyg

    April 27, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    I've always wanted to know how to make tartar sauce. This turned out great. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 27, 2021 at 7:03 pm

      You're welcome, Amy! So happy it turned out great!

      Reply
  6. Joss

    April 27, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    I did not know tartar sauce was so easy to make! This was an excellent accompaniment to our battered fish.

    Reply
  7. Karen

    April 27, 2021 at 11:03 am

    This is probably the only way you'd get me to try tartar sauce - the capers are a genius add-in!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 27, 2021 at 11:10 am

      Hi Karen, the capers make the recipe, for sure! I hope you give it a try!

      Reply
  8. GUNJAN C Dudani

    April 27, 2021 at 10:28 am

    it mind sound silly but I have never tried tarter sauce. I am craving to make your recipe now.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 27, 2021 at 11:02 am

      Hi Gunjan, not silly at all! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  9. Ramona

    April 27, 2021 at 4:31 am

    I’ve never made my own tartare sauce before. Thank you so much for this recipe and for making it so easy, I’ll probably never buy it again.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 27, 2021 at 6:34 am

      You're so welcome, Ramona! I'm so happy that you loved it!

      Reply
  10. Bernice Hill

    April 26, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    This is a perfect tartar sauce. It was absolutely delicious with our freshly caught fish fry the other night. We ate it all!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 27, 2021 at 6:34 am

      Hi Bernice, I'm super happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  11. Chelsea

    April 26, 2021 at 11:06 am

    This recipe looks so delicious! I've never thought of making my own tartar sauce! I love the addition of capers. Bet it adds so much flavor. I'm pinning this recipe to save for the next time I make fish. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 26, 2021 at 11:28 am

      Hi Chelsea! The capers really make the recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Cathleen

    April 26, 2021 at 10:54 am

    I have been making basically all other sauces at home myself, so why have I never thought to make homemade tartar sauce??? This is genius! Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 26, 2021 at 11:27 am

      You're very welcome, Cathleen!

      Reply
  13. Beth Sachs

    April 26, 2021 at 10:53 am

    I LOVE tartar sauce with fish. Such an easy recipe and so flavourful

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 26, 2021 at 11:26 am

      So happy that you liked it, Beth!

      Reply
  14. Mirlene

    April 26, 2021 at 10:53 am

    This is restaurant quality tartar sauce. I cannot wait to make it for my family and friends.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 26, 2021 at 11:26 am

      Hi Mirlene! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  15. Deirdre Gilna

    April 26, 2021 at 10:46 am

    I had no idea tartar sauce was this easy to make, I can never find it where I live in Spain, my hubby will be so excited when I surprise him with it!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 26, 2021 at 11:25 am

      Hi Deirdre! I hope you and your husband enjoy it!

      Reply
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