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This easy homemade tartar sauce recipe is zippy, tangy, and creamy! It’s the ideal pairing with seafood favorites like fish and chips and crab cakes or even with chicken.

Try my Remoulade Sauce Recipe or Easy Burger Sauce next.

a plate with fish and chips and homemade tartar sauce

Why you’ll love it

Tartar sauce is known for its rich and zesty flavor, and it’s a staple at seafood restaurants. The good news is that this mayo-based sauce is simple to make in your own kitchen! There’s so much briny goodness from dill pickles and capers along with the freshness of parsley.

Add in a few other savory pantry staples like onion powder and Dijon mustard, and this simple tartar sauce (tartare sauce for my UK readers) is sure to impress. It’s easy to customize to your particular preferences and will really enhance your next meal!

What you’ll need

Mayonnaise – be sure to use a mayo that you like the flavor of! I recommend Hellmann’s or Duke’s.
Dill pickles – for that signature crunch
Parsley – it adds a burst of freshness
Capers – these give that salty and briny deliciousness that tartar sauce is famous for
Lemon juice – acidity and brightness
Dijon mustard – for more savory depth. It doesn’t make it overly mustard-y.
Onion powder – another layer of flavor
Sugar – to add balance
Hot sauce – just a touch for that final irresistible kick!

ingredients for homemade tartar sauce in prep bowls

What is tartar sauce?

Tartar sauce has regional variants, but they’re all rooted in the 18th century French origins of a creamy sauce with roughly chopped pickles (gherkins or cornichons), capers, lemon juice, fresh herbs, etc.
Historically, it’s always been a creamy, sharp sauce that’s served cold with breaded meats or fish. These days it’s a fixture in British pubs.

Pro tip

If you have time, let the flavors meld for a few hours prior to serving.

How to make tartar sauce

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

mixing together ingredients for tartar sauce in a prep bowl

Chop and prep the ingredients, then add them to a medium bowl and combine. Give it a taste, and adjust as needed. After chilling, serve with the tasty suggestions below!

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

A knife from a good quality chef’s knife block makes chopping easy. I like this cutting board.
I keep sauces, dressings, and dips in these airtight mason jars.
Store the rest of your lemon in this cute lemon saver.

Substitutions and variations

You could add in a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce if you happen to have some.
If you want a stronger dill flavor, swap the parsley for fresh dill or add in some fresh dill as well. Fresh tarragon also works great.
Use Cajun seasoning or seasoning salt instead of regular salt & pepper.

What to serve with tartar sauce

The classic choice is fish and chips! Serve this sauce alongside crispy fried fish, and dip your fries in it as well (or make my Fry Sauce too).
It’s perfect with crab cakes, fish sandwiches like my Salmon Burgers, calamari, fried oysters, etc.
Other fantastic pairings are my Salmon Patties or Chicken Patties. You could even use it as a spread with my Ground Chicken Burgers.

Leftovers and storage

It’ll keep for about a week in the fridge in a covered container.
As with most creamy sauces, I don’t recommend freezing this one.

More easy dip/sauce recipes

closeup of a plate with fish and chips and homemade tartar sauce

If you made this easy tartar sauce recipe, please leave a comment below! What’s your favorite way to use it? Or tag me in your photos on Instagram.

Tartar Sauce Recipe