Everyone needs a tasty and delicious easy Tartar Sauce recipe, and this one won't disappoint! It's so much tastier than store bought, Dill Tartar Sauce can be made in minutes. Perfect with Grilled Fish or Beer Battered Fish.

I hate buying store bought Tartar, it's too expensive for what it is, and homemade Tartar Sauce always tastes better! Plus you probably have most of these ingredients lying around. I always have Dill growing in the garden, which is another secret ingredient for this Tartar Sauce recipe.
Tartar Sauce Ingredients
This easy Tartar Sauce recipe only needs 6 ingredients, and packs amazing flavor! However, this might be made differently from other recipes. You can adjust with different Tartar variations by adding Capers, Tarragon, Mustard, Pickle Relish or Parsley. It's ok to mix it up with your favorite ingredients, but here's what you'll need.
- Mayonnaise - the creamy base for your sauce
- Dill Pickles - for a crunchy contrast
- Fresh Dill - adds a subtle herb flavor
- Lemon Juice - an acid to cut through the mayo
- Sugar - trust me, you need a bit to balance sweetness
- Onions - for a tasty tang
How to Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
This is a quick and easy Dill Tartar Sauce recipe, that's made in a few easy steps. Trust me, it's worth making!
- Chop Pickles - thinly slice and dice ½ cup of Dill Pickles into small cubes
- Prepare Dill - finely chop a tablespoon of Fresh Dill
- Combine - in a bowl, add Mayo, chopped Pickles, Dill, Lemon Juice and Sugar. Using a Garlic Press, squeeze in the fresh Minced Onion and Onion Juices
- Mix - using a spoon, stir to mix until combined.
- Serve - mix together. Use right away or refrigerate for the flavors to meld together. Enjoy!
What Mayo Is Best For Tartar Sauce?
It's important to start with a great tasting mayo for this recipe. I suggest Hellmans Real Mayo, Best Foods or Heinz Mayo for the tastiest result. As Mayo is the base of this recipe, the flavor is very important. Some Mayos aren't rich and creamy and taste too vinegar-y. I've made this recipe with Japanese Mayo as well, and that was delicious!
How Long Does Tartar Sauce Keep in the Fridge?
If you don't eat all the Tartar Sauce right away, just store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Because it's made fresh, it should last about 1 week because of all the fresh ingredients.
Why is this Tartar Sauce so Tasty?
The secret to this sauce is the Dill Pickles and Minced Onions. What adds a great crunch to this recipe is Dill Pickles. I use either my Homemade Dill Pickles or Costco Vlasic Pickles, and usually have a jar in the fridge. The hardest part of this recipe is chopping the Dill Pickle pieces into small diced pieces, but it's worth it!
The other ingredient that elevates this homemade Tartar Sauce is using Minced Onion. It sounds strange to Mince Onion, but it only takes a few seconds to do. Please don't use Onion Powder, fresh is best! I use my Garlic Press, and squeeze through a few pieces of Onion, which pulverizes and adds Onion Juice. It's a game changer in flavor. Don't add any chunky Onion pieces.
Flavorful Recipes Using Minced Onion
Minced Onion is the secret flavor boost to several of my sauce recipes. Check them out!
- Homemade French Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dip
- Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs
- Creamy Coleslaw Dressing
- Bacon Ranch Dressing
You're gonna love this Tartar Sauce recipe, much tastier than what you buy in a bottle! I smother it all over my fish fillet, and dip my fries in it. It's also a great sauce to dip Butterflied Shrimp or Salt and Pepper Shrimp. I could almost drink it!
Dill Pickle Dip
This recipe could even be used as an easy Pickle Dip for your next party. I usually add an extra diced Dill Pickle to this Dip recipe, with a little bit extra Minced Onion, and sometimes a tiny bit of Grated Carrot. It has the crunchy texture of the Pickles, with the tang of the Onions. Perfect to dip crackers or vegetables for you next party. Make extra as a Fry Dip with your Fish and Chips.
Quick and Easy homemade Tartar Sauce, better than store bought! Made with Dill Pickles and Mayo, perfect for Fish Fingers or Fish and Chips, a Seafood Lobster Feast, or a Dip you won't be able to stop eating! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Equipment
- Garlic Press
- Knife and Cutting Board
- small Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Dill Pickles finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Onion minced through a garlic press
- pinch of Black Pepper
Instructions
- Chop Pickles - thinly slice and dice ½ cup of Dill Pickles into small cubes
- Prepare Dill - finely chop a tablespoon of Fresh Dill
- Combine - in a bowl, add Mayo, chopped Pickles, Dill, Lemon Juice and Sugar. Using a Garlic Press, squeeze in the fresh Minced Onion and Onion Juices
- Mix - using a spoon, stir to mix until combined.
- Serve - mix together. Use right away or refrigerate for the flavors to meld together. Enjoy!
Video
©PetersFoodAdventures.com
Evershine Walls
This homemade tartar sauce with dill adds a refreshing twist to your favorite seafood dishes! The tanginess of the mayo and pickles, combined with the fresh aroma of dill, creates a delightful harmony of flavors. Perfect for dipping crispy fish fillets or shrimp, this sauce elevates every bite with its creamy texture and herbaceous kick. A must-try condiment that brings a burst of flavor to any seafood feast
Peter Kolesnichenko
So glad you enjoyed it! I couldn't agree more! 🙂
Rachelle, Chicago IL
Made the recipe. Quick to make and tastes amazing. Better than store bought. It's a must try.
Darla
Ok love love love ❤️ BUT why did mine get runny?? No I did not use Hellmann Mayo 😩 is that why?? But this is the BEST TASTING TARTER SAUCE EVER 💜🙌🏻
Cori
Perfect!
Peter Kolesnichenko
Thank you! 🤗
Pam Scott
Have always made a sauce withmayo and ketchup, which I always thought was too sweet.
This is perfect! I omitted the sugar because I only had miricle whip.
Ulrike
This is the best tartar sauce
Wish I would thought about making my own sooner
So much better then the store bought one
Peter Kolesnichenko
Thanks so much! I agree! Glad you enjoyed it!
Jan
Fantastic! The best! I left out the sugar - matter of preference. This is definitely a keeper! TY!
Peter Kolesnichenko
Thanks Jan! So glad you loved it! ❤️
Sybil
My Mum is 95 and says this is the best sauce she has ever tried!
Zena
BEST TARTAR SAUCE RECIPE!!
I just made this tartar sauce today, and I wish I had come across it sooner—it was so quick & easy, I couldn’t believe how delicious it tasted! We used this as the main dipping vehicle for our fish & chips; while the ketchup bottle sat in front of us, remaining untouched. Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe!!
Peter Kolesnichenko
Thanks Zena! After making this sauce, it's hard to go back to store bought. It's my favorite dipping sauce too!