My Dill Tartar Sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and the ideal creamy accompaniment for fried fish and grilled seafood — and it uses just five simple ingredients.
Homemade Dill Tartar Sauce
This creamy, bright tartar sauce elevates seafood with fresh dill, capers, and dill pickles. The result is smooth but pleasantly textured, with a tangy bite and a touch of sweetness. It comes together in minutes and is perfect for dipping crispy fried shrimp, topping grilled fish, or spreading on sandwiches. Once you make this dill tartar at home, store-bought versions will seem bland by comparison.
What is tartar sauce?
Tartar sauce is a classic seafood condiment built on a creamy base — typically mayonnaise — and commonly flavored with pickles and lemon. While traditional recipes vary, many include chopped pickles or relish and sometimes onion. This dill-forward interpretation adds capers and a splash of pickle brine for extra brightness and depth without complicating the process.
Dill Tartar Sauce Ingredients
You only need five pantry-friendly ingredients to make this sauce. Here’s what to have on hand:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup dill pickles (diced; dill relish works too)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon capers (chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon dill pickle brine
If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise. You can also vary the herbs — parsley or chives work well — or add shallot for a sharper onion note. Start with the basic proportions and tweak to your taste.
How to Make Tartar Sauce
Making this tartar sauce is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps for the best results:
- Prepare the ingredients. Chop the dill, pickles, and capers so they’re ready to mix. Freshly chopped herbs deliver the brightest flavor.
- Combine and mix. In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, then fold in the diced pickles, chopped capers, fresh dill, and pickle brine. Stir until evenly combined. Adjust the texture with more brine to thin the sauce, or add 1–2 tablespoons more mayonnaise to thicken it.
- Serve or store. Use immediately for the freshest flavor, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. The sauce will keep well for 3–4 days.
Serving Suggestions
Dill tartar sauce pairs beautifully with a wide range of seafood and other dishes. Try it with grilled shrimp, salmon, beer-battered fish, or crispy fish tacos. It’s also excellent spread on sandwiches or used as a dip for fries and roasted vegetables. The herbaceous dill and briny capers bring a fresh contrast to fried and grilled flavors.
Storage
Keep the sauce chilled in an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for about 3–4 days. If the sauce thickens or the flavor dulls after sitting, revive it with a splash of pickle brine or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
More Condiment Recipes
Once you start making your own condiments, you’ll find it’s easy to customize and improve store-bought favorites. If you enjoy this dill tartar, try experimenting with other sauces and spreads to complement your grilling and seafood dishes.
Recipes
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Sides
Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam
Condiments
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Recipes
Homemade Au Jus
Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe
Make this quick and easy Dill Tartar Sauce in minutes, then use it to brighten your next seafood meal. If you try the recipe, leave a comment and rating to share your experience. Tag any photos of your dishes so others can see how you served it.
Dill Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup dill pickles diced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 Tablespoon capers chopped
- 1 Tablespoon dill pickle brine
Instructions
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Combine and mix. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until the sauce reaches the consistency you like. For a more textured sauce, roughly chop the dill and pickles.
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Serve and store. Serve immediately or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.