Homemade Tartar Sauce

This sauce takes your favorite seafood dishes to the next level.

If you are going to make Fish n Chips, Fried Shrimp, Catfish Po-Boy, or Fried Fish Sandwich, then you’ve got to have this iconic condiment. The taste is incredible and it comes together in minutes!

How To Make Homemade Tartar Sauce

We use our food processor for this recipe, but if you don’t have one, just make sure you chop your onions, pickles, capers, and herbs finely, and you’ll be in good shape.

Although you can serve the tartar sauce immediately, we find the consistency and flavor improve after at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

The Ingredients You Will Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this fantastic traditional tartar sauce recipe at home:

• Onion, finely chopped
• Cornichon (dill pickles), finely chopped
• Capers, drained
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• White vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Homemade tartar sauce is absolutely perfect for dipping your fried fish into!

Homemade Tartar Sauce FAQs

• Where do I find cornichons? Cornichons are small, extra-tart dill pickles. They are called ‘gherkins’ in the United Kingdom. They are readily available in the pickle section of most supermarkets. This is usually where you’ll find capers, too. Baby dill pickles can easily be substituted. 
• What if I don’t have a food processor? No problem! Just make sure you chop the onions, pickles, and capers very finely with a sharp knife. Then simply blend them into the remaining ingredients. Stirring until completely mixed.
• Can the sauce be served immediately? Of course! However, we find the consistency and flavor only improve after at least an hour in the fridge.
• How long will it keep? Homemade tartar sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can freeze it for up to 2 months, but we feel fresh is always best.

Did we mention how delicious Southern Hush Puppies are when dipped into this amazing sauce?

We absolutely love making homemade tartar sauce. Whenever we serve any kind of fish, especially fried fish, it’s a must. It’s also wonderful served along with our Homemade Cocktail Sauce.

Once you make this from scratch, you’ll never even consider buying the bottled stuff again!

We adapted this recipe from one of the greatest fishmongers and seafood chefs we have ever met, Joe Gurrera, owner of the world-famous Citarella Seafood and Gourmet Market based in New York City!

Don’t forget, when you make this amazing tartar sauce, take a photo, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howtofeedaloon!

Homemade Tartar Sauce

Homemade tartar sauce really makes a huge difference when used on your favorite seafood dishes and it comes together in a matter of minutes. Perfect addition to all of your favorite seafood dishes!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Chill: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 99kcal

Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Equipment

• ▢
  Food processor, or a large sharp knife

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 tablespoon onion coarsley chopped
• ▢ 3 tablespoon cornichons coarsely chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon capers drained
• ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
• ▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Cornichon juice
• ▢ black pepper freshly ground, to taste
• ▢ 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley chopped

Instructions

• Place the onion, cornichon, and capers in a food processor and pulse a few times until finely minced. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and pulse again.
• Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cornichon juice, and pepper, to taste and pulse again until well combined.
• Transfer the sauce into a small bowl and stir in the parsley. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Notes

If you don't have a food processor, simply chop the onion, cornichons, and capers very finely with a knife before mixing together with the remaining ingredients.

Baby dill pickles can be substituted for the cornichons.  Cornichons can be found in most supermarkets in the pickle section.  

Keep the tartar sauce in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 1 week and can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 197mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published April 2014, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in June 2023.