How to Make Tartar Sauce (in 10 Minutes!)

5 from 11 votes
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Homemade tartar sauce is a million times more delicious than store-bought, and this recipe only takes 10 minutes to make!

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Tartar sauce is the perfect condiment for your favorite seafood dishes like crispy Salmon Croquettes, or even veggies or chicken. While store-bought sauce is readily available, learning how to make your own is hard to resist because all you need is 10 minutes for the best tartar sauce ever!

This recipe is husband approved. He may have eaten an entire batch in one sitting…

Tartar Sauce Ingredients

  • Real mayonnaise – mayo is the creamy base for tartar sauce.
  • Dill or sweet relish – add in good quality relish for that signature briny, tangy touch. I like dill relish, but you can also use sweet relish.
  • Sweet onion – sweet onion adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.
  • Italian parsley – Italian parsley adds brightness. You can also use fresh dill or tarragon.
  • Fresh lemon juice – a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds freshness.
  • Ground mustard – ground mustard adds a subtle, complementary tanginess.
Homemade tartar sauce ingredients

How to Make Tartar Sauce

This tartar sauce recipe is made in 2 steps and in only 10 minutes!

  1. Stir.

    Mix together all ingredients.

  2. Serve.

    Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
    Serve tartar sauce right away or chill it until ready to serve.

What to Serve With Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is a classic condiment that pairs well with various dishes, especially seafood! Here are my favorite pairings:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is tartar sauce?

Tartar sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment most often served with seafood, especially fried seafood. It is typically made with mayo, relish or pickles, lemon juice, and herbs.

How long does homemade tartar sauce last?

Tartar sauce is best enjoyed within a week. Store in the fridge, covered, until ready to enjoy!

Can you freeze homemade tartar sauce?

I don’t recommend freezing tartar sauce; unfortunately mayo does not freeze well.

What are some additions that you can add to tartar sauce?

Change up this classic tartar sauce by capers, olives, horseradish, garlic, smoked paprika, or a splash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

Other Sauce Recipes You’ll Love!

5 from 11 votes

How to Make Tartar Sauce (in 10 Minutes!)

Homemade tartar sauce is a million times more delicious than store-bought, and this recipe only takes 10 minutes to make!
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup real mayonnaise
  • cup dill or sweet relish, I personally prefer dill
  • ¼ cup sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Italian parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • In a bowl, mix together all ingredients (mayo, relish, sweet onion, parsley, lemon juice, ground mustard, and salt and pepper).
  • Serve right away or chill until ready to serve.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • You can use fresh dill or tarragon instead of parsley if preferred!
  • Yes, you can halve or double the recipe!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Sauce & Dips
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 202
Keyword: summer
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About Grace Vallo

Welcome to my kitchen! Cooking and baking with the seasons has always been a part of my life. Here in New England, cooking and baking with the seasonal flavors available is a way of life. It's the "feeling" that you get when making homemade popsicles or grilled meats in the summer, apple pie with Mom's pie crust recipe in the fall, or a warm bowl of hearty pasta in the winter. Whether it’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter or any holiday in between, I hope my recipes satisfy your seasonal cravings!

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Tartar sauce has never tasted THIS GOOD. I never thought to use nonsweet dill relish. It gives the tartar sauce such a delish savory flavor. Thank you!