The best tartar sauce is made with mayonnaise, pickles, dill and just a few other simple ingredients for a delicious condiment.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

The best tartar sauce recipe you can ever find is right here in this post. This cool, creamy and tangy sauce can elevate any fried fish you can think of. And truly, they never ever give you enough when you order it out. Thats a big reason why knowing how to make it at home can come in so handy.

There’s not much that goes into making it at all. Most of the ingredients you probably have in your refrigerator and pantry right now. The flavor is so unique that it can go with lots of other things like french fries or crab cakes. So, feel free to experiment with trying it on different things. I hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, I know you'll love it just as much as my family and I do.

Ingredients

Heres everything you'll need to make this delicious tartar sauce. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Mayonnaise- The creamy base for this sauce. Adds richness and that classic smooth texture.
Dill- Dried or Fresh will both brighten the sauce and add that unmistakable flavor that pairs perfectly with fish.
Onion- Balances the richness of the mayonnaise and adds a slight crunch.
Minced Pickles- Brings tang, salt and texture. This gives the tartar sauce its classic bite.
Lemon- Adds acidity and brightens the sauce. It lifts all the flavors and keeps the sauce tasting fresh.
Salt- Enhances every ingredient.
Pepper- Cuts through the creaminess of the sauce.
Sugar- Just a touch will soften the acidity from the pickles and lemon.

Instructions

Heres how to make this delicious tartar sauce. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

First, add the mayonnaise, dill, minced onion, lemon juice, chopped pickles, salt, pepper and sugar into a medium sized bowl. Stir everything together until it’s evenly combined.

Now, cover the bowl and place it into the refrigerator for 2- 24 hours to let those flavors marinate. Lastly, stir the tartar sauce one more time before serving chilled and enjoy!

Can I Use Relish Instead Of Chopped Pickles?

Yes, you can use dill relish (not sweet relish) in this recipe instead of chopping up pickles. Just keep in mind that relish tends to be more watery and will slightly change the texture and consistency of the sauce.

What Can I Serve This With?

We absolutely love this on Fish Filet Sliders, Crab Cakes and Salmon Cakes but the choice is yours. Its also fantastic on french fries and onion rings so feel free to experiment.

Storage

Place the tartar sauce into an air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days.