By Becky Hardin
Updated May 12, 2025
Today I’m sharing Homemade Tartar Sauce, a perfect sauce for fish and seafood. Creamy, tangy and tart, it tastes so much better than store-bought. I love how quickly it comes together in just few minutes, making it a perfect dip to pair with my favorite seafood.
5-Star Review
“This is the recipe I’ve been looking for! It’s a fav condiment but couldn’t find the right flavor. This recipe has so much flavor and comes together so easily. My only regret was making a half batch the first time.” -Graphista
I’ve been making a lot of homemade classics lately, because homemade sauces and dressings really just taste better. And they’re all so easy to make! Now allow me to share how to make tartar sauce from scratch for your next seafood dish.
Tartar sauce is a creamy and zesty condiment often served with grilled or baked fish. With mayonnaise as the base ingredient, it is a combination of dill pickles , lemon juice, dijon mustard, green onion, fresh herbs like chives or parsley and a bit of hot sauce.
You can also make ranch dressing and Caesar salad dressing at home with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
- ▢ 3 tablespoons minced dill pickles
- ▢ 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice or white wine vinegar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ▢ 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- ▢ 1 tablespoon minced shallot* or green onions
- ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon hot sauce optional
- ▢ 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley optional
Video
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a medium-mixing bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons minced dill pickles, 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, 1 tablespoon minced shallot*, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
- Place in an airtight container and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Becky’s Tips
- Once you combine all the ingredients together, allow them to sit for minimum 30 minutes. It gives enough time to bring all flavors at their best.
- Throw some capers in for adding some spiciness.
- I highly recommend using shallots. Shallots add extra depth in the sauce.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Tartar Sauce At Home
Making tartar sauce is easy. Like, you don’t even need instructions kind-of-easy. Once you’ve got the ingredient list, you’re just about done. That’s the kind of recipe I like! Quick, simple, straightforward, and easy to make any time!
Combine all ingredients and serve chilled: Take a large bowl and combine 1 cup of mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of minced dill pickles, 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of minced fresh chives, 1 tablespoon of minced shallot, ¼ teaspoon of hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon of minced fresh parsley.
Whisk all ingredients in a medium-mixing bowl. Season to taste with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Chill for 30 minutes in refrigerator and serve.
This homemade tartar sauce is too easy! Prepare it for every seafood dinner, or serve it along with the best seafood appetizers. It’s creamy, tart, and so full of flavor. You’re going to love it!
How to Store
This sauce is something you’ll want to make fresh, but you can save any extra for a few days. This recipe will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week.
I do not recommend freezing it. After freezing and thawing, the texture loosens and the sauce curdles.
Serving Suggestions
This tartar sauce recipe goes with all the seafood dishes you can think of! I think it is the absolutely perfect sauce to serve with my Air Fryer Crab Cakes . You can also dip a Fried Fish Sandwich or our Baked Fish Sticks . It’s also amazing with my Cod Fish Tacos and the classic Beer Battered Fish recipe.
Delicious homemade dips we love
Crack Corn Dip
Crack Dip
Hoagie Dip
Copycat 54th Street Gringo Dip
Salsa Roja
Hot Taco Dip
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons minced dill pickles
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice or white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot* or green onions
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce optional
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a medium-mixing bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons minced dill pickles, 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, 1 tablespoon minced shallot*, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
- Place in an airtight container and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Once you combine all the ingredients together, allow them to sit for minimum 30 minutes. It gives enough time to bring all flavors at their best.
- Throw some capers in for adding some spiciness.
- I highly recommend using shallots. Shallots add extra depth in the sauce.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
