This homemade tartar sauce is creamy, tangy, and packed with pickle crunch. It takes just 5 minutes to stir together in one bowl, and it’s perfect for everything from fish sticks to salmon burgers and fries. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to the bottled kind.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Why Make It: This recipe is quick, budget-friendly, and made with pantry staples you already have.
- Prep Note: Chill it for at least 30 minutes so the flavors come together.
- Serving Suggestions: I love keeping a batch of this in the fridge for easy fish stick dinners, salmon burgers, and casual fry nights. It’s especially delicious with fish sandwiches, spooned over crispy shrimp, or served alongside roasted potatoes.
Essential Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: Choose full-fat mayo for the best results.
- Pickles: I like to use extra crunchy dill pickles for the best texture and little pops of briny flavor in every bite.
- Flavor Boosters: Swap in finely minced onion for a sharper bite than onion powder, and swap in 1 tablespoon of fresh dill instead of dried if desired.
- Variations: Use dill relish or a splash of pickle juice for less sweet, add extra lemon or caper brine for more tang, stir in fresh parsley for a herby twist, or chop the pickles finer (or chunkier!).
How to Make Tartar Sauce
This recipe is as simple as it gets and packs so much flavor.
- Finely chop the pickles (full recipe below).
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix well and refrigerate.
Save it Now, Savor it Later
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze. Re-stir before serving.
Serve This With…
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium dill pickles
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon chopped capers optional
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Finely chop the dill pickles.
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, pickles, capers, lemon juice, dill, and onion powder.
- Mix well and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dip, Sauce
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