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Home » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings

Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles

Dated: July 10, 2024 Last Modified: May 22, 2025 This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Breaded fish finger dipped into small white bowl of dill tartar sauce.

This homemade Dill Tartar Sauce is creamy, tangy, and perfect for fish and seafood! It's made with mayo, dill pickles, fresh herbs and lemon.

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!

Walleye fingers dipped into small bowl of dill tartar sauce.

I have a serious weakness for a good sauce. At times, I find the dipping sauce tastes better than the thing that's getting dipped (this is a sign of a truly good sauce).

I love to make my own dipping sauces and dressings. Making your own sauces allows you to customize them to your tastes. A homemade sauce tastes much more fresh and not packed full of preservatives, as is the case with many bottled and jarred sauces.

Homemade tartar sauce is incredibly easy to prepare and made with only a few ingredients. This recipe is creamy, tangy, and full of savory flavors, all of which lend themselves perfectly to any fish or seafood dish.

This tartar sauce is gluten free and made with mayo, lemon juice, garlic powder, crunchy kosher dill pickles, and lots of fresh dill. It's perfect for dipping fish fingers or slathering onto a fish sandwich.

Jump to:
  • What Type Of Pickles Are Best For Tartar Sauce?
  • Ingredients For Dill Tartar Sauce
  • How To Make Homemade Tartar Sauce
  • Can I Sub Any Of These Ingredients?
  • How Long Does Tartar Sauce Last In The Fridge?
  • Can It Be Frozen?
  • What To Serve To With Dill Tartar Sauce
  • Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles
Unopened jar of baby dill kosher pickles on white surface.

What Type Of Pickles Are Best For Tartar Sauce?

There are a number of varieties of tartar sauce out there. Traditional tartar sauce calls for only a few ingredients - Mayo, onions, and capers. These basic elements form the base of a more classic tartar sauce.

The great thing about tartar sauce is that it's easy to customize and most recipes out there build upon that traditional base with additional ingredients and flavors.

Like all sauces there are other elements that will add acidity, sweetness, and a savory bite. Sometimes, tartar sauce is made with the addition of mustard, scallions, or capers.

This recipe is savory of focuses heavily on the flavor of dill. It's made with kosher dill pickles, dill pickle brine, and fresh dill.

For this recipe, I recommend a variety that is tangy and sharp like kosher dill pickles. They provide a great briny flavor that you won't find with sweeter pickle varieties.

This tartar sauce works best when made with whole baby kosher dill pickles. You can pick up a jar in any supermarket. I recommend using whole pickles because you can then customize the texture of the sauce by chopping them as large or as small as you like.

I do not recommend a variety of sweeter pickles such as bread and butter or sweet pickles to make this tartar sauce, as it would alter the flavor.

If you'd like to save some time while making it, feel free to sub the chopped whole kosher dill pickles for kosher dill relish (not sweet relish).

Love dill pickles? Be sure to check out this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad!

Chopped dill pickles, mayo, lemon juice, pickle juice, garlic powder, sugar, salt and pepper, and fresh dill on wooden cutting board.

Ingredients For Dill Tartar Sauce

It only requires a few ingredients to whip up this homemade tartar sauce. Here's what you'll need to make it.

  • Heaping ½ cup Mayo (real mayo, not light mayo or Miracle Whip)
  • 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
  • 2 tsp. Pickle Juice (or pickle brine)
  • 4-6 Baby Kosher Dill Pickles (yields ¾ cup chopped)
  • ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp. Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. Fresh Dill (minced, plus more for garnish)
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ⅛ tsp. Pepper
Mayo and lemon juice combined in glass bowl with whisk.
Diced dill pickles and fresh dill added to mayo in glass bowl with whisk.
Mayo tartar sauce in glass bowl with whisk.
Tartar sauce with fresh dill in glass bowl with whisk.

How To Make Homemade Tartar Sauce

The process of making this homemade tartar sauce is simple and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.

It's made by combining mayo, lemon juice, pickle juice, and a few spices with chopped kosher dill pickles and fresh minced dill in a small bowl.

  1. Start by finely chopping 4-6 baby kosher dill pickles (this should yield ¾ cup chopped pickles).
  2. Mince 2 Tbsp. or so of fresh dill.
  3. In a small bowl, combine a heaping ½ cup of mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, 2 tsp. of the pickle juice, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. sugar, ¼ tsp. kosher salt and ⅛ tsp. pepper. Stir all of these ingredients with a small whisk or fork. Stir until completely combined.
  4. Add the ¾ cup of chopped dill pickles to the dressing.
  5. Add the fresh minced dill and add it to the bowl. Fold the pickles and the dill into the rest of the ingredients and stir until completely combined.

Feel free to chop the dill pickles finely if you prefer a thinner texture or chop the pickles roughly for a chunkier texture. You can customize the texture of this tartar sauce by how the pickles are chopped.

Wooden spoonful of dill tartar sauce lifted from small glass bowl.

Can I Sub Any Of These Ingredients?

This tartar sauce has just a great balance of flavor. 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 adds a hint of sweetness. The fresh herbs provide this tartar sauce with fresh flavor and color.

Feel free to play around with the flavors until you find a balance and consistency you like. The great thing about sauces is that they're incredibly versatile.

  • Dried dill may be substituted for fresh dill (although the flavor will not likely be as robust). Simply sub 2 tsp. of dried dill in place of the 2 Tbsp. of fresh dill.
  • Onion powder can be substituted for garlic powder.
  • If you like a thinner texture, feel free to thin it out with some extra lemon juice.
  • Add more chopped pickles if you like a chunkier tartar sauce.
  • Feel free to add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter tartar sauce.
  • Kosher dill relish can be used in place of chopped baby kosher dill pickles.

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

Dill pickle tartar sauce in small white bowl with walleye fingers on platter.

How Long Does Tartar Sauce Last In The Fridge?

This Homemade Tartar Sauce lasts 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can It Be Frozen?

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

Love dill? Don't miss these recipes!

  • Dill Egg Salad
  • Smoked Salmon Dill Ricotta Crostini
Fish finger dipped into small white bowl of dill tartar sauce.

What To Serve To With Dill Tartar Sauce

Dill pickle tartar sauce is perfect served with all varieties of fish and seafood!

I love it served with some breaded walleye fingers or any type of battered fish. It's perfect slathered on a fish sandwich like this Pan Seared Walleye Sandwich or any kind of breaded, pan-fried, or grilled seafood.

It's also tasty drizzled onto breaded shrimp tacos or crispy fish tacos.

Tartar sauce is perfect served with grilled or roasted shrimp, salmon, crab cakes, or fried calamari.

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

I get more excited than I should about this stuff but homemade sauces easy to prepare and totally worth the effort.

Love homemade sauces and dressings? Check out these recipes!

  • Fresh Herb Ranch Dressing
  • Spicy Thousand Island Dressing
  • Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Creamy Lemon Tarragon Sauce
  • Herb Tahini Sauce
  • Cilantro Lime Sauce

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

Easy Remoulade Sauce

Honey Mustard Sauce

Chipotle Lime Sauce

Walleye finger dipped into small bowl of dill tartar sauce.

Dill Tartar Sauce with Pickles

Christine Rooney
This homemade Dill Tartar Sauce is creamy, tangy, and perfect for fish and seafood! It's made with mayo, dill pickles, fresh herbs and lemon.
4.38 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 55 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • heaping ½ cup mayo
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 tsp. pickle juice or pickle brine
  • 4-6 baby kosher dill pickles yields ¾ cup chopped
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh dill minced, plus more for garnish
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop 4-6 baby kosher dill pickles (small to medium sized). This should yield about ¾ cup chopped pickles.
    Feel free to chop the dill pickles roughly if you prefer a chunkier texture.
  • Mince 2 Tbsp. of fresh dill.
  • In a small bowl, combine a heaping ½ cup of mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, 2 tsp. of the pickle juice, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. sugar, ¼ tsp. kosher salt and ⅛ tsp. pepper. Stir all of these ingredients with a small whisk or fork. Stir until completely combined.
  • Add the ¾ cup of chopped dill pickles to the dressing.
  • Add the fresh minced dill and add it to the bowl. Fold the pickles and the dill into the rest of the ingredients and stir until completely combined.
  • To Serve: Garnish with some extra fresh minced dill (optional). Serve right away or store in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Video

Notes

Dried dill may be substituted for fresh dill (although the flavor will not likely be as robust). Sub 2 tsp. of dried dill in place of 2 Tbsp. of fresh dill.
If you prefer a thinner texture, simply add some extra lemon juice.
Kosher dill relish can be used in place of chopped baby kosher dill pickles.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Tbsp.Calories: 55kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 230mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword dill pickle tartar sauce, homemade tartar sauce, fresh dill 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
4.38 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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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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