Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles

This is the best easy homemade Dill Tartar Sauce recipe! Made from scratch with mayo, fresh herbs, kosher dill pickles, and lemon juice.

If you're looking for a dipping sauce that's perfect for all of your favorite fish and seafood dishes, you can't go wrong with a batch of this Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce!

I don't know about you but I love a good dipping sauce. Sometimes the dipping sauce even tastes better than the thing that's getting dipped (that's when you know you've got a good sauce).

I'm a big fan of making my own sauces. You can customize them to your own tastes and they're so much fresher than something that's full of preservatives and who knows what else.

Making your own sauces is also incredibly easy. I could go on and on about the virtues of sauces but the best way to enjoy them is to just make them yourself.

I whipped up a batch of breaded fish fingers last week and wanted a homemade sauce in which to dip them. This Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles recipe was just the ticket!

It's light, fresh, and gluten free but still has that creaminess that you expect from a tartar sauce.

Jump to:

• What Type Of Pickles Should I Use To Make Tartar Sauce?
• How To Make Tartar Sauce From Scratch
• Can I Switch Any Of These Ingredients?
• How Long Does Homemade Tartar Sauce Last?
• What To Serve To With Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce
• Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles

What Type Of Pickles Should I Use To Make Tartar Sauce?

Seriously, you guys, this tartar sauce is SO easy to make and totally worth the little bit of extra time that goes into it. The main ingredients that go into a tartar sauce are mayonnaise and pickles.

Like all sauces there are a few other elements that will add acidity, sweetness, a little bite.

I recommend pickles are tangy and sharp like kosher dill pickles. They provide a great briny flavor that you won't get with a sweeter variety such as bread & butter.

I would stay away from sweet relish or any variety of sweet pickles and opt for kosher dills.

If you like dill pickles be sure to check out this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad!

How To Make Tartar Sauce From Scratch

1. Finely chop 4-5 baby kosher dill pickles (this should yield ½-3/4 cup chopped pickles).
2. In a small mixing bowl combine a heaping ½ cup of mayonnaise, 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp. of the pickle juice, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. sugar, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir all of these ingredients with a small whisk or fork.
3. To the dressing add all of the chopped pickles.
4. Mince 1 Tbsp. or so of fresh dill and add it to the bowl as well. Fold the pickles and the dill into the rest of the ingredients.

Can I Switch Any Of These Ingredients?

I'm telling ya' - This tartar sauce has just the right balance of flavors! The lemon juice makes it bright and fresh, the pickles give it a nice pop of crunch and the pickle juice makes it a little briny.

The garlic gives it some pop and the sugar balances everything out. I think fresh herbs are always a great addition.

This tartar sauce may be a bit 'thinner' than the store-bought version.

If you like a thicker consistency feel free to add more mayo and a little less lemon juice. This will thicken it up.

Onion powder can also be substituted for garlic powder.

Feel free to play around with the flavors until you find a balance and consistency you like. The great thing about sauces (besides the fact that they taste delicious) is that they're very versatile.

Add more pickles if you like a chunkier tartar sauce. Add more sugar if you like a sweeter version.

There really is no 'wrong' way to make a sauce like this.

How Long Does Homemade Tartar Sauce Last?

This Homemade Tartar Sauce should last 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

I do not recommend freezing it as this recipe contains mayo and is best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.

Love seafood? Don't miss these recipes!

• Spicy Fish Tacos
• Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos
• Mexican Shrimp Bowls
• Skillet Shrimp & Vegetables
• Garlicky Shrimp Risotto
• Vietnamese Shrimp Salad

What To Serve To With Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce from scratch is perfect with all varieties of fish and seafood!

I love it with Air Fryer Fish AND Air Fryer Shrimp. It's perfect slathered on a fish sandwich like this Pan Seared Walleye Sandwich or any kind of breaded, pan-fried, or grilled seafood.

This is a great all-purpose dipping sauce and delicious with crispy bites like Air Fryer Mushrooms, or breaded or fresh veggies like broccoli and cauliflower.

I get more excited than I should about this stuff but homemade sauces are super fun to make and totally tasty!

Love homemade sauces? Check out these recipes!

• Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing
• Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
• Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
• Thai Peanut Sauce
• Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
• Creamy Lemon Tarragon Sauce
• Herb Tahini Sauce
• Cilantro Lime Sauce

Looking For More Homemade Sauces? Don't Miss These!

Easy Remoulade Sauce

Chinese Garlic Sauce

Chipotle Lime Sauce

Homemade Pizza Sauce