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Home » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings

Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles

Dated: February 28, 2018 Last Modified: February 9, 2023 This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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!

Homemade tartar sauce with fresh dill in white bowl next to small whisk.

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
Mayo, pickles, salt, pepper, sugar, garlic powder, lemon wedges, and fresh dill on wooden cutting board.

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!

Tartar sauce with pickles and fresh dill in small glass bowl with whisk.

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.
Spoonful of tartar sauce lifted from small glass bowl.

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.

Homemade tartar sauce with fresh dill in small white bowl next to whisk.

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
Baked walleye finger dipped into small bowl of tartar sauce.

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

Homemade tartar sauce with fresh dill in small white bowl next to whisk.

Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles

Christine Rooney
This is the best easy homemade Dill Tartar Sauce recipe! Made from scratch with mayo, fresh herbs, kosher dill pickles, and lemon juice.
4.43 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 52 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • heaping ½ cup mayo
  • 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 tsp. pickle juice
  • 4-5 baby kosher dill pickles yields ½-3/4 cup
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. minced fresh dill
  • pinch kosher salt adjust to taste
  • pinch pepper adjust to taste

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop 4-5 baby kosher dill pickles (small to medium size). This should yield ½-3/4 cup chopped pickles.
  • Mince 1 Tbsp. fresh dill.
  • Combine a heaping ½ cup of mayo, 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp. pickle juice, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir to completely combine with a fork or small whisk. 
  • Add the chopped pickles and minced dill to the bowl. Fold the pickles and dill into the dressing and stir until completely combined. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

This tartar sauce is a bit 'thinner' than normal. If you like a thicker sauce simply add more mayo and less lemon juice.
Additional chopped pickles can be added for a chunkier consistency.
Feel free to use sweet pickles or add more sugar for a sweeter flavor.
Onion powder can be substituted for garlic powder.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal
Keyword tartar sauce, homemade tartar sauce, scratch made tartar sauce, how to make tartar sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Christine

My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah Carter

    March 04, 2018 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    We had left over mayo and pickles - and this recipe worked really well!

    Reply
    • Christine

      March 05, 2018 at 3:36 am

      I'm so glad you enjoyed it - Thank you for the feedback!

      Reply
  2. A Chef

    April 23, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    4 stars
    No capers?

    Reply
    • Christine

      April 23, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      Capers would be a great addition!

      Reply
  3. Jane

    August 18, 2018 at 3:08 am

    5 stars
    I'll never buy tartar sauce again! This was so simple & delicious (even subbing dry dill for fresh)-- thank you.

    Reply
    • Christine

      August 20, 2018 at 12:49 am

      Hi Jane - So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the feedback! I'm happy to hear the dry dill worked as well - I'll give that a try next time I make it!

      Reply
  4. Sam

    November 05, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    I've always just stuck to using the bottled tartar sauce, but there's definitely no going back after trying this recipe! What kind of pickles do you like for this recipe? I used Bubbie's because they don't use vinegar and it's a much better tasting pickle. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Bev

    January 05, 2022 at 4:56 pm

    5 stars
    Delish!!! Easy!!!

    Reply
    • Christine

      January 06, 2022 at 12:50 am

      Hi Bev - So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the feedback! 🙂

      Reply

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Thanks for stopping by! My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

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