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A small white pail filled with creamy tartar sauce, made from a classic tartar sauce recipe and garnished with parsley and a lemon wedge, sits on a white surface next to a pickle and a lemon slice.
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Tartar Sauce Recipe

This is the best homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe — creamy and tangy and made with simple ingredients! An easy-to-make condiment that pairs perfectly with fish and seafood, this tartar sauce is ready in 30 minutes and beats store-bought versions every time.
Prep Time5 minutes
Additional Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Condiment, Miscellaneous
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Melissa Griffiths

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons caper juice
  • 2 tablespoons minced dill pickle or dill relish
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped capers
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, and caper juice until blended. 
  • Stir in pickle, onion, parsley, capers, salt, and pepper.
  • Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

This recipe makes 1 cup of tartar sauce. The nutrition numbers are based on a serving size of 2 tablespoons, and there are 16 tablespoons in a cup.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions:
  • The buttermilk can be homemade buttermilk substitute (1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar and the rest of the 2 tablespoons of regular milk).
  • Or the buttermilk can be substituted with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
  • If you don't have capers, use the same amount of lemon juice for the caper juice and the same amount of dill pickle relish (or cut up pickles) for the capers.
  • Add extra capers for more brine or increase the lemon juice for brightness — this is for those of you who like the tangy, sharp flavors!
  • I love to add fresh herbs like dill and chives.
 
Storage: Properly stored in an airtight container, this tartar sauce recipe stays fresh for up to one week in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions: I'm sure we all think of tartar sauce going perfectly with fish or seafood, but it's actually a fabulous all-around creamy condiment. (I think homemade condiments can turn a basic dinner into something special!) Serve this sauce with
  • Hot dogs or burgers as a topping
  • In fish tacos
  • As a dip for a crudités tray
  • Spread on sandwiches
  • With air fried snacks like fried pickles or onion rings
  • And of course with a homemade fish and trips dinner!

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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