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The Ultimate Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce: Creamy, Tangy, and Ready in 5 Minutes

A close-up of creamy, homemade tartar sauce recipe topped generously with fresh chopped green herbs in a white bowl.

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Make fresh, creamy, and tangy tartar sauce at home in under five minutes. This simple recipe uses standard ingredients and is the best condiment for fish, shrimp, and crab cakes.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish or finely chopped dill pickles
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon capers, minced (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Gather all your ingredients in a medium bowl.
  2. Add the mayonnaise, pickle relish (or chopped pickles), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and capers (if using) to the bowl.
  3. Whisk all ingredients together until the sauce is completely smooth and well combined.
  4. Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
  5. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and chill the tartar sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.

Notes

  • If you prefer a sharper taste, substitute the sweet relish with finely chopped dill pickles and add 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar.
  • You can make this sauce ahead of time; it keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • For a zesty tartar sauce, add a small pinch of dried onion powder or garlic powder.

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