Fantastic Homemade Tartar Sauce

This tartar sauce takes any seafood meal from basic to amazing with its perfect mix of creamy, tangy, and herby goodness. I started making it after getting fed up with the dull supermarket options that never matched what I'd get at good fish restaurants.

I whipped up this sauce for a backyard fish cookout, and everyone couldn't stop talking about it. Now my family asks for it whenever fish is on the menu, and I'm always expected to bring a container to family get-togethers.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: Creates the smooth foundation that holds all the flavors together, go for good quality brands or homemade for the best taste
• Dill pickle: Brings that must-have tang and crunch, pick ones that snap when you bite them
• Fresh lemon juice: Lifts the whole sauce, squeeze it yourself for that zingy punch
• Capers: Add salty complexity that works magic with seafood, give them a quick rinse if you want less salt
• Fresh dill: Gives that garden-fresh taste that you'll never find in bottled sauces
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds richness with its savory kick, you only need a tiny bit to make a huge difference
• Dijon mustard: Brings gentle warmth and extra layers of flavor that tie everything together
• Salt and freshly ground pepper: For that final flavor touch-up

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix Your Foundation:

Start with mayonnaise in a bowl as your base. Toss in the tiny chopped pickles, making sure they're cut small enough to spread throughout the sauce. The combo of creamy mayo and crunchy pickles is what makes a truly great tartar sauce stand out.

Build The Flavor:

Add the fresh lemon juice for zing, then the chopped capers for their salty pop. Mix in the dill which gives that fresh garden taste, then stir in the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. All these work together to create rich flavors that get better as the sauce sits.

Finish and Chill:

Add a bit of salt and black pepper, then mix everything until well blended. Give it a taste and tweak it if needed, maybe more lemon for extra zing or salt to bring out the flavors. Put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving so all those tasty elements can get friendly with each other.

Save Pin

What makes this recipe special is how the bright lemon tartness balances with the savory depth from capers and Worcestershire sauce. I found this perfect mix after playing around with different amounts and ingredients during years of family fish dinners. Even my daughter, who used to turn her nose up at tartar sauce, now asks for extra every time we serve it.

Customization Options

You can easily make this tartar sauce your own. Want some heat? Throw in a dash of hot sauce or some finely chopped jalapeño. If you like it sweeter, swap in some sweet pickle relish instead of dill pickles. Feel free to play with different herbs too, like parsley or chives alongside or instead of the dill. That's the beauty of making sauce at home, you can adjust it to work perfectly with whatever seafood you're cooking.

Save Pin

Make Ahead Tips

This tartar sauce gets even tastier over time as the flavors blend together. For best results, make it a few hours before you need it, or even better, the day before. Keep it in a sealed container in your fridge, where it'll stay good for up to a week. The lemon juice works as a natural preservative while keeping everything tasting fresh and lively the whole time.

Serving Suggestions

While it's a classic with fried fish, this sauce works wonders with lots of foods. Enjoy it with crispy fish and chips, grilled salmon patties, or as something to dip your shrimp into. Beyond seafood, spread it on fish sandwiches, dollop it on baked potatoes, or mix it with extra lemon juice for a different kind of salad dressing. For a fancy touch, put it in a small dish with a sprig of fresh dill and a thin slice of lemon on top.

Common Questions

→ What can I use instead of mayonnaise?

If you need an egg-free alternative, try using vegan mayo. It'll still give you that creamy texture and won't change the taste much.

→ How long can I store homemade tartar sauce?

You can keep your DIY tartar sauce in the fridge for about a week if it's well covered. But it'll taste way better during the first few days.

→ Can I add other ingredients for extra flavor?

Absolutely! Throw in some chopped parsley, crushed garlic, or a splash of hot sauce to spice things up.

→ Do I have to use fresh dill?

Fresh dill gives you the best taste, but dried works in a pinch. Just use about a third as much since dried herbs pack more punch.

→ What dishes pair well with this tartar sauce?

This tartar sauce tastes amazing with crispy fish, fish fingers, french fries, crab patties, or spread it on your burgers and sandwiches.