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
Equipment
- Food processor, or a large sharp knife
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp onion coarsley chopped
- 3 tbsp cornichons coarsely chopped
- 1 tbsp capers drained
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp Cornichon juice
- black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- 1 tbsp 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
Nutrition
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.
Added jalapeรฑo and was delicious and fresh dill instead of parsley
Yum!!! Sounds PERFECT!!! Thanks for sharing!
Pretty good sauce. Just made it for tonight’s fish and chips.
You should edit your instructions as some of the ingredients are omitted.
Hi Diego! Thanks so much, we see what you mean! Glad you enjoyed the tartar sauce and thanks so much for the great review! All the best, Kris & Wesley
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