Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe (Perfect for Fish and Seafood)

This easy homemade tartar sauce recipe is perfect for seafood lovers. It features a tangy flavor with lemon juice, pickle juice, dill and Dijon mustard. Store it in an airtight container and use it as a dipping sauce for french fries, seafood dishes, or onion rings. 

If you’re searching for the perfect companion for your seafood dishes, look no further than this tartar sauce! Whether you’re enjoying fried fish, shrimp, or crab cakes, this creamy dipping sauce with its rich and tangy flavor is the ultimate condiment. 

Tartar sauce is believed to have originated in France, as has mayonnaise. It's thought that the name tartar comes from the Tatars, who also lent their name to steak tartare. In France, this sauce is known as sauce tartare, while in the U.K., it’s called tartare sauce, and in the U.S., it’s simply referred to as tartar sauce.

For those craving a flavorful kick, traditional tartar sauce is a must-have for seafood lovers. However, for anyone familiar with Zip’s Drive-In, a fast food chain popular in the Pacific Northwest, their version of tartar sauce is often the first thing that comes to mind.

Once you’ve tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought sauces again. It’s a simple recipe, yet it takes your dishes to the next level with its fresh and herbaceous flavors.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• How to Make Tartar Sauce
• Chef’s Tips
• Variations
• What to Serve With this Tartar Sauce
• Storage Instructions
• FAQ's
• Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe (Perfect for Fish and Seafood)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Customize: This recipe is easy to adjust to your personal preferences. You can add more lemon juice, pickle juice, or Dijon mustard to suit your taste, making it as tangy as you like.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge, so you’ll always have a delicious dipping sauce ready for your favorite meals.
• Herbaceous flavors: Fresh dill and parsley bring out incredible herbaceous flavors, elevating the sauce to complement both seafood and non-seafood dishes.
• Easy and quick: With just a few simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and cornichons, this tartar sauce comes together in minutes.
• Perfect accompaniment: Whether you're serving it with French fries, onion rings, or classic seafood dishes like fish sticks, salmon patties or shrimp, this sauce is the perfect addition for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Greek Yogurt: Adds a light and tangy base to balance the creaminess of the sauce.
• Mayonnaise: Provides the rich, creamy texture that makes this sauce irresistible.
• Dijon Mustard: Enhances the flavor with a slight spicy tang.
• Pickle Liquid: Adds a touch of acidity and sweetness for a balanced flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Brings a fresh, tangy kick that brightens the sauce.
• Cornichons: Finely chopped for a crunchy texture and a burst of tart flavor.
• Green Onion: Adds mild onion flavor without overpowering the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley and Dill: These herbs add herbaceous flavors and freshness to the sauce.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Balances and seasons the sauce to taste.

See the recipe card for quantities

How to Make Tartar Sauce

Combine the Sauce Ingredients

• Add Greek style yogurt, mayonnaise and mustard to a bowl and mix until well combined. Add the Pickle liquid and lemon juice and stir until creamy.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and stir together until well mixed. Taste and adjust with more lemon juice if the sauce does not taste tangy enough
• Season with salt and black pepper.

Refrigerate the Sauce

• Transfer to an airtight container or cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Serve the tartar sauce as a dipping sauce or condiment with fish and seafood dishes

Chef’s Tips

• Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh dill, parsley, and green onion for the best flavor. Fresh herbs elevate the sauce and add a vibrant herbaceous flavor.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust with salt, black pepper, or more lemon juice if needed. You can tweak the tanginess or spice level to suit your preference.
• Chill Before Serving: For the flavors to fully develop, let the sauce rest in the fridge for at least an hour. The cold temperature helps bring out the creamy texture and tangy flavor.
• Consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a bit more pickle juice or lemon juice. For a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of liquid or increase the mayonnaise.

Variations

• Sour cream: Swap out the Greek yogurt for sour cream to create a richer, tangier base.
• Sweet Pickle Relish: Add sweet pickle relish for a slightly sweeter tartar sauce that pairs perfectly with French fries or onion rings.
• Worcestershire sauce: A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds depth and an extra savory kick to your tartar sauce.
• Capers: For a briny, tangy flavor, include capers in the sauce. They pair beautifully with seafood dishes.
• Tarragon: Incorporate fresh or dried tarragon to introduce a subtle, slightly licorice-like herb flavor.
• Shallots, white onion, red onion: Finely chopped white onion, red onion, or shallots can replace or complement the green onion for added sharpness.
• White wine vinegar / applecider vinegar: Use white wine vinegar or cider vinegar instead of pickle juice for a more acidic, zesty flavor.
• Yellow mustard: Substitute Dijon mustard with yellow mustard for a milder, more classic flavor.
• Garlic: Minced garlic can be added for an extra burst of flavor, perfect for those who love garlic’s punch.
• Cayenne pepper: A pinch of cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick, taking your tartar sauce to the next level.

What to Serve With this Tartar Sauce

• Seafood Dipping Sauce: The classic use for tartar sauce, perfect for pairing with fried fish, shrimp, salmon patties or crab cakes.
• Sandwich Condiment: Spread tartar sauce on your sandwiches for a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
• Fish and Chips: Serve as a must-have condiment with your fish and chips for an authentic experience.
• Salad Dressing: Thin the tartar sauce with a little lemon juice to use as a tangy salad dressing for seafood salads.
• Wrap or Tacos: Add tartar sauce to wraps or fish tacos for an extra layer of flavor and creamy goodness.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate: Always store your tartar sauce in the fridge to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Store in an Airtight container: Use glass jars with tight-sealing lids to keep the sauce fresh. Ensure the container is clean and dry before use.
• Fridge – 7 days: The sauce can last up to 7 days when stored properly in the fridge. If the sauce smells off or changes color, discard it immediately.
• Signs of spoilage: If you notice any of the spoilage signs before 7 days, it’s time to make a fresh batch.
• Shelf-life of homemade versions -  Homemade tartar sauce usually has a shorter shelf life than store-bought sauce due to the lack of preservatives.

FAQ's

Making your own homemade tartar sauce is not only simple but also elevates your favorite dishes with its creamy texture and tangy flavor. Whether you're serving it with seafood, French fries, or using it as a salad dressing, this sauce is sure to become a favorite. 

So why settle for store-bought sauce when you can easily create a fresh, delicious version at home? Give this recipe a try and take your meals to the next level!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.