Tartar Sauce Recipe
Creamy homemade tartar sauce with finely chopped dill pickles, capers, onion, Dijon mustard and lemon for a bright, savory finish.
Contains: Egg · Mustard
Mayonnaise contains egg, and Dijon mustard contains mustard. Packaged mayonnaise, pickles, capers and mustard vary by manufacturer, so check the labels of the products you use if you need to avoid specific allergens or gluten.
WHY IT WORKS
Why This Recipe Works
01
Balanced Tang
Dill pickles, capers and a little lemon cut through the richness of the mayonnaise without making the sauce sharply acidic.
02
Keep Some Texture
Finely chopped pickles, capers and onion give the sauce small, crisp bites while keeping it easy to spoon or spread.
03
Give It Time to Meld
A short chill gives the briny, tangy ingredients time to season the mayonnaise evenly before serving.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Equipment
THE RECIPE
Ingredients & Method
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Ingredients
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Method
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Add the mayonnaise, chopped dill pickles, capers, onion, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, pickle brine and black pepper to a medium bowl.
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Stir until evenly combined. Taste and adjust the balance with a few drops of lemon juice or pickle brine if needed, keeping the sauce thick and creamy.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend. Stir again before serving.
COOKING GUIDANCE
Practical Cooking Notes
Make Ahead
Make the tartar sauce up to 2 days ahead, cover it tightly and refrigerate it. Stir well before serving; the flavor usually improves after a short rest in the refrigerator.
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Dietary options
Make This Recipe Work for You
Only straightforward swaps are offered automatically. If changing a defining ingredient would effectively create a different dish, that conversion is left out.
Make It Vegan
Change the following ingredient:
Replace1 US cup mayonnaise
With1 US cup vegan mayonnaise
Replace240 millilitres (ml) mayonnaise
With240 millilitres (ml) vegan mayonnaise
Use the same quantity of vegan mayonnaise.
For allergies, intolerances or strict dietary requirements, check the labels of the specific products you use. These swaps do not certify a recipe or ingredient as allergen-free.
Recipe Notes
Ingredient Notes
Drain the chopped pickles and capers well before mixing so the tartar sauce stays creamy rather than watery. Mince the onion very finely so it adds freshness without dominating each bite.
Useful Substitutions
Finely chopped cornichons can replace the dill pickles for a sharper flavor. If you do not have capers, add a little extra chopped pickle instead; the sauce will be milder but still balanced.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
Quality Note
Drain the pickles and capers thoroughly and chop them finely. Excess brine can thin the sauce, while large pieces make the finished texture uneven.
SPEND LESS
Cost-Saving Tip
Use the brine from the same jar of dill pickles already needed for the recipe rather than buying a separate pickle juice or relish product.
COOKING TIPS
Tips
Drain the Pickles Well
Blot or drain the chopped pickles before adding them. Too much brine can loosen the mayonnaise and make the sauce watery.
Chop Everything Finely
Small, even pieces of pickle, caper and onion give the sauce texture without making it awkward to spoon onto food.
Taste After Mixing
Pickles, capers, mayonnaise and mustard all vary in saltiness, so taste the finished sauce before adding any extra seasoning.
Chill Before Serving
Thirty minutes in the refrigerator improves the flavor and texture, although the sauce can be served immediately when needed.
MAKE IT LAST
Storing & Serving
Storing
Keep the tartar sauce in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3 to 4 days.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise-based sauces can separate after thawing and lose their smooth, creamy texture.
Before Serving
Stir the chilled sauce before serving. If it has thickened slightly in the refrigerator, a small splash of pickle brine can loosen it.
Keep It Chilled
Because the sauce contains mayonnaise, keep it refrigerated until needed and return leftovers to the refrigerator promptly after serving.
ESTIMATED PER SERVING
Nutrition
2 tablespoons
Nutrition information is an estimate. Where shown, % Daily Value uses standard US Daily Values for adults and children aged 4+; actual values vary with ingredient brands, exact quantities and portion size.
QUESTIONS
Tartar Sauce FAQs
What is tartar sauce made from?
This homemade tartar sauce uses mayonnaise as the creamy base, with dill pickles, capers, onion, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and a little pickle brine for tang and texture.
Can I make tartar sauce without capers?
Yes. Replace the capers with a little extra finely chopped dill pickle. The finished sauce will be less briny and complex, but it will still work well.
How long does homemade tartar sauce last?
Stored in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator, this tartar sauce is best used within 3 to 4 days.
Can I use sweet pickle relish instead of dill pickles?
You can, but it will make the sauce noticeably sweeter and smoother. Dill pickles keep this version sharper and more savory.
Does tartar sauce need to chill before serving?
It can be served straight away, but chilling it for about 30 minutes gives the flavors time to blend and usually improves the finished sauce.
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