Deliciously creamy Homemade Tartar Sauce… just the way you like it. This recipe is easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, and so much better than store bought!

Is it just me… or does a good sauce make all the difference? Whether it’s for veggies or meats or chips or even desserts, the right sauce can take any of your favorite foods to the next level.

Case in point: this homemade tartar sauce. I love it because it’s the PERFECT combination of savory and tangy and creamy and salty… way better than any store bought tartar sauce I’ve tried. And the flavors are all super easy to adjust according to your preferences.

It’s easy to make, with ingredients you most likely already have in your fridge and pantry, and it stores well in the fridge. In fact, I’d say it’s even BETTER a few days after making it!

It’s the perfect accompaniment for any of your favorite fish recipes, from Air Fryer Cod to Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia… and

it’s delicious on chicken, too!

what you’ll need for this recipe

Mayo – Mayonnaise is the base of this tartar sauce. I used 1/2 cup Hellmann’s Real Mayo.

Relish – Pickle relish is the second key ingredient, and I used dill pickle relish for a more savory, pickle flavored tartar sauce. Substitute sweet or spicy relish if you prefer.

Lemon juice – Lemon juice balances out the creaminess of the mayo and also helps to thin out the sauce. Use fresh or bottled.

Dijon – Dijon mustard adds extra flavor to the sauce and pairs well with the other ingredients. Substitute yellow or stone ground mustard if you prefer.

Dill – Dill helps bring out the flavor of the relish and gives this sauce delicious flavor. I used dried dill for convenience, but substitute fresh if you’d like.

Sugar – A touch of sugar is an optional ingredient, but one that rounds out the tartar sauce perfectly.

how to make tartar sauce

Simply combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. The flavor of the sauce will continue to develop, so if you can make it in advance it will probably taste even better!

Recipe Variations

Use sweet or spicy relish in place of dill relish
Substitute Miracle Whip for the mayo
Use fresh dill in place of dried dill
Add additional fresh or dried herbs, such as parsley, chives, or tarragon
Make it spicy by adding sriracha, hot sauce or cayenne pepper
Make it extra flavorful by adding blackened seasoning or Jerk seasoning

storage tips

Homemade Tartar Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavors will continue to develop and the sauce will be equally delicious even after refrigerating.

More Delicious Sauce Recipes to Try

Like I said, a good sauce makes all the difference! These are some of our favorite sauce recipes: