Easy Tartar Sauce is the best addition to any fish dinner. A creamy sauce with capers, pickle relish and herbs. This traditional tartar sauce is so simple to make at home with pantry staples, you'll never have to buy it again.
Easy Tartar Sauce
As a family we really enjoy fishing. It's one of our favorite outdoor activities and we enjoy cook our fresh catch even more.
I've mentioned many times that I grew up in the family catfish restaurant business. For a long time we bought gallons of a famous brand tartar sauce to serve with our fried catfish.
One night the customers started to complain that it didn't taste right. We opened another jar and it was the same. So from there on out, we made it from scratch.
Just take me to the Recipe!
If you are just looking for the recipe, scroll on down to the very bottom for a printable recipe card. Otherwise read on for my tips and recipe variations!
I am sure I have made countless gallons of tartar sauce over the years but I didn't ever measure anything. I just tasted as I went until I was happy with it. After sharing our delicious Fish Sticks recipe, I knew it was time to share a traditional tartar sauce recipe to go with it.
How to Make Easy Tartar Sauce:
- Start with homemade mayo or your favorite real mayonnaise and add pickle relish, dill or sweet pickle relish will work.
- Next add capers, lemon juice, dill, garlic, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tartar Sauce Variations:
- Add any fresh herbs that you have on hand. Parsley, cilantro or thyme would be great additions.
- Capers are optional. They add a salty, briny flavor but not everyone is a fan. We did not use capers in our restaurant version and I only use them occasionally when I have them on hand.
- If you love horseradish, it can really add a lot of flavor to your tartar sauce.
- If you like a spicy kick, you can always stir in a few diced pickled jalapeños.
Tartar Sauce is so easy to make from scratch. Use the ingredients you have on hand. I recommend refrigerating your tartar sauce for an hour or so to let the flavors really come together. However, if you are in a rush, just mix it up while you are cooking the fish. It will still be delicious.
How Long Will Tartar Sauce Keep?
Tartar Sauce will usually keep about 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I have kept it a bit longer if it didn't have fresh herbs in it.
Delicious Dishes to Serve with Tartar Sauce:
Fish Sticks are a weeknight favorite with the entire family. They are so simple to make at home, quick and easy!
Beer Battered Catfish Po Boys are perfect for game day parties or a quick weeknight dinner.
Fried Fish Sandwich from Foodie Crush - I'm craving it now!
You might also like this homemade Cocktail Sauce or White Barbecue Sauce with your fish and seafood dinners.
If you love this Recipe as much as I do, please leave a comment and a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Pinterest!
Easy Tartar Sauce
Easy Tartar Sauce is the best addition to any fish dinner. A creamy sauce with capers, pickle relish and herbs. This traditional tartar sauce is so simple to make at home with pantry staples, you'll never have to buy it again.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add mayonnaise into a small bowl. Mix in pickle relish and capers.
- Next add in lemon juice, dill, garlic, pepper, salt and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix well.
- Store in an airtight container in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16 servingsServing Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 133mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
Nutritional calculations are estimated and may not be accurate.
Ed Matthews
Have you tried using Miracle Whip instead of Mayo ?
Milisa
Hi Ed,
I have in a pinch, my guys like it with Miracle Whip but I prefer mayo.
~Milisa
Tracy
Very good! It’s my new go to. Hate store bought. Used fresh lemon and minced garlic in the jar. Everything else as the recipe calls for. Lover of the regular Hellmann’s mayonnaise so I used that. Thank you for sharing!
Milisa
So glad you enjoyed it Tracy! Thanks for stopping by.
~ Milisa