Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce (4 ingredients!)

Name: Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce (4 ingredients!)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup sweet relish; 1 tsp dried dill (or 2 tsp fresh dill); 1 tsp lemon juice

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This 4 ingredient tartar sauce is a staple in our seafood loving household! It's healthier than store-bought, and extremely fast and easy to whip up in under 5 minnutes!

fish sticks dipped in homemade tartar sauce

Just like peanut butter is to jelly, tartar sauce is to a good fish and chips meal. It's essential for many great fish and shellfish recipes as well, like a good air fried fish fillet!

This recipe is also naturally a gluten free tartar sauce! Some store bought sauces have many additives, and are high in sodium.

Making your own sauce at home takes 5 minutes and it's low-sodium, fresh, free of additives, and allergen-friendly. Win, win!

Making it while other food is cooking also cuts down on meal prepping time. I typically make the sauce while the main dish is in the oven or air fryer. It's a win, win!

tartar sauce with fish sticks and tater tots

Table of Contents

TARTAR SAUCE INGREDIENTS

Buckle up, because this 4 ingredient tartar sauce couldn't be easier to whip up! Here's what you need. I provide a substitute list below if one of these ingredients don't work well for you.

MAYONNAISE. This is the base of a good tartar sauce and choosing one that's right for you works best here. I went with an organic mayo that we use on a regular basis. So, go with what you're used to to get the best flavor.
SWEET RELISH. Unlike dill relish, sweet relish gives this homemade tartar sauce the right amount of sugar it needs, while also being tangy! It's a gem.
DILL. Use fresh or dried. I went with dried since that's what I had on hand. Make sure your dried dill isn't expired or old, as it will be less potent.
FRESH LEMON JUICE. A little bit of fresh acid goes a long way to giving a homemade tartar sauce the right kick it needs. And fresh is always best!

making homemade tartar sauce with 4 ingredients mayo, dill, relish, and lemon juice in a bowl with tiny whisk

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

To make tartar sauce, start by grabbing a small mixing bowl and ramekins you'd like to serve the sauce in.
Next, is gathering your ingredients.
Then, to the mixing bowl, add the mayo, sweet relish, dill, and lemon juice.
Gently stir all the ingredients until they are well combined.
Transfer the sauce to ramekins or place in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Switch sweet relish for dill relish to make this a keto tartar sauce. Since sweet relish contains sugar, to keep it as keto-friendly as possible for our daughter, we make this simple substitute and she's a happy girl!
Use finely chopped pickles instead of relish.
Choose an organic mayo for a healthier option.

STORAGE TIPS

Store tartar sauce in an airtight container or mason jar. It can be stored in the fridge for about a week or two. Enjoy it again with burgers, on sandwiches or as a dip!

FAQ

What can you use tartar sauce for?

This sauce isn't just for fish and chips! Use it as a dip for tortilla or potato chips. As a spread on a sandwich. Or even as a yummy sauce on a seafood burger.

Can you make tartar sauce without mayonnaise?

Yes. You can absolutely make it without mayo. Instead, go for sour cream or even Greek full-fat yogurt. Choose full-fat options when possible to get the most flavor in the sauce.

What is basic tartar sauce made of?

Basic tartar is made of mayonnaise, relish, preferably sweet relish, dill, and a little bit of lemon juice. All these flavors make up the sweet, tangy, and flavorful that's addicting with fish and chips!

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Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce (4 ingredients!)

This 4 ingredient tartar sauce is a staple in our seafood loving household! It's healthier than store-bought, and extremely fast and easy to whip up!

5 from 6 votes

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Course: sauce

Prep: 5

Total: 5

Servings: cup

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Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sweet relish
1 teaspoon dried dill or 2 teaspoon fresh dill
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

To make tartar sauce, start by grabbing a small mixing bowl, as well as the ramekins you'd like to serve the sauce in.
To the mixing bowl, add the mayo, sweet relish, dill, and lemon juice.
Gently stir all the ingredients until they are well combined.
Transfer the sauce to ramekins or place in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

Notes

STORAGE

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

SUBSTITUTES

Switch sweet relish for dill relish to make this a keto tartar sauce. Since sweet relish contains sugar, to keep it as keto-friendly as possible for our daughter, we make this simple substitute and she's a happy girl!