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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Kitchen Tips

    (Easy!) Tartar Sauce Recipe

    July 15, 2024 By Sam Merritt 10 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
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    collage of tartar sauce, top image is close up of sauce, bottom of sauce with crab cakes photographed from above

    I call this my “last-minute” tartar sauce recipe. It’s perfect for when you find yourself in a pinch with none of this beloved condiment in the fridge. This recipe uses basic staples you already have on hand and takes mere minutes to make. You won’t want to buy it premade ever again!

    Dish of tartar sauce beside crab cakes and potato chips.

    Super Easy Tartar Sauce

    Whenever I make my Maryland crab cake recipe, I always make this super easy tartar sauce recipe on the side (and coleslaw too, of course!). I don’t always keep pre-made tartar sauce on hand, and as usual, this DIY version is so much better flavor-wise. The best part? It comes together in just 5 minutes!

    This crazy-simple recipe tastes just like your favorite restaurant’s tartar sauce, only better. It’s perfectly tangy, subtly sweet, and couldn’t be easier to make.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • No frills. We use basic ingredients most people already have in their fridge, nothing fussy or unusual. My version keeps it simple but delivers tangy, robustly flavorful results.
    • Pairs perfectly with seafood like fried fish, shrimp, or crab cakes. Or maybe your kids need it to go with their fish sticks and your bottle in the fridge is empty; I’ve got you covered.
    • Flavor develops as it sits. While you can serve it immediately, it tastes even better after a 30 minute rest (or make it a day in advance!).
    • Just 5 minutes to make.

    What You Need

    Overhead view of labeled ingredients including mayo, dijon, dill pickles, and more.
    • Mayo. Use your favorite kind! I would like to note that this recipe tastes best/most authentic when made with “traditional” mayo (think Hellman’s or Duke’s brand). I’ve tried this with “cleaner” versions like Primal kitchen and it doesn’t have quite the same classic taste.
    • Dijon mustard. This adds a tangy element to our sauce. Dijon is my preference and I like the depth of flavor and nuance it adds, but in a pinch you could use regular yellow mustard instead.
    • Dill pickles. We’ll dice these finely for a nice pop of texture and flavor that’s typical of tartar sauce. You could substitute an equal amount of dill relish in a pinch.
    • Sugar. Just a pinch adds the right amount of sweetness and depth to this sauce. I also use sugar in my potato salad and broccoli salad, it doesn’t make things too sweet but gives just the right balance of tangy sweetness to the end result.
    • Parsley. You can use either fresh or dried, but you will need different amounts for each (dried is more potent). I list both amounts in the recipe.

    SAM’S TIP: If you prefer sweet pickles/relish, you can use those instead of dill. I’d recommend skipping the sugar, though, so your sauce isn’t too sweet!

    This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!

    How to Make Tartar Sauce

    Overhead view of a bowl of mayo with chopped dill pickles, dijon, lemon juice, and more.

    Alright, are you ready for this super complicated and technical recipe? Here it goes:

    1. Stir together all ingredients until completely combined.
    2. Cover and place in the fridge. This step is optional!

    SAM’S TIP: For the best flavor, let your sauce chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors meld and develop! I’m definitely guilty of using it right away, though.

    Overhead view of a bowl of homemade tartar sauce surrounded by potato chips and lemon wedges.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What should I serve it with?

    Tartar sauce is a common condiment for seafood. Many people serve it with fried fish, fish sticks, crab cakes, seafood sandwiches, etc. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for french fries, chicken, or really anything else, though!

    Can I use different herbs?

    Please feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs (tarragon and dill are popular choices). I experimented with a number of different fresh herbs when making this recipe and found I preferred it exactly as written, but you can certainly customize to your liking.

    Why is it called tartar sauce?

    Tartar sauce is believed to be named after the French “sauce tartare” (which was once served with steak tartare). The origins of the word “Tartar” go far back, deriving from the Tatar (sometimes spelled “Tartar”) people, a Turkic ethnic group from Russia. You can learn more about the origins and etymology of this condiment here (I thought this was a fun read!). Note that this sauce does not use cream of tartar.

    Overhead view of tartar sauce with crab cakes and potato chips.

    Stay tuned, my crab cake recipe is coming up next!

    Enjoy!

    Let’s bake together! Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of all the newest recipes, and find my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜

    Dish of tartar sauce beside crab cakes and potato chips.

    (Easy!) Tartar Sauce Recipe

    Why buy tartar sauce when it's so fast and easy to make?! Whip this up in 5 minutes using basic ingredients you already have on hand.
    Recipe includes a how-to video!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings (2 Tablespoons per serving)
    Calories: 133kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup (118 g) mayonnaise
    • ⅓ cup (65 g) finely chopped dill pickles
    • 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Recommended Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Whisk

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir well until completely combined.
      ½ cup (118 g) mayonnaise, ⅓ cup (65 g) finely chopped dill pickles, 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • May be served immediately, but for best flavor refrigerate and chill for 30 minutes before using.

    Notes

    Storing

    Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container where it will keep for up to a week.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy

      May 14, 2025 at 10:12 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy and everyone liked it. So much better than store bought! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sam

        May 15, 2025 at 10:27 am

        I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Amy! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. Patti Felton

      April 08, 2025 at 10:04 pm

      Really appreciated this easy recipe with common ingredients. Very tasty and did not overpower our mild rockfish!

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 10, 2025 at 1:10 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Patti! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
      • Denise Spina

        May 24, 2025 at 10:40 pm

        thank you for the crab cake recipe cant wait to try it

        Reply
        • Sam

          May 26, 2025 at 9:31 pm

          I hope you love them, Denise! ๐Ÿ™‚

    3. Alissa

      March 08, 2025 at 10:43 am

      5 stars
      This is the tartar sauce recipe I’ve been using everytime for fish sandwiches for the last year! Easy and delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        March 10, 2025 at 11:21 am

        We are so happy it’s such a hit, Alissa! Thanks for the review ๐Ÿฉท

        Reply
    4. Lisa Romano

      September 26, 2024 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      From someone who has a difficult time in the kitchen, I brushed of my fear and made this at the last minute! Delicious! I never saw the amount of each ingredient to use, so I guessed by looking at the portions in the bowls and cup! The entire family lived it!

      Reply
      • Sam

        September 27, 2024 at 7:14 am

        I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, Lisa! The amounts are listed down towards the bottom of the page for next time. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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