Homemade Tartar Sauce with Pickle Relish
This Homemade Tartar Sauce with Pickle Relish is fresh, tangy, and creamy! Perfectly balanced with zesty pickles, capers, and dill, it's a quick and easy condiment to elevate any dish.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise such as Hellmann's or Duke's
- 0.5 to 0.75 cup sweet and/or dill pickle relish lightly drained, leaving a little liquid
- 1 tablespoon yellow or sweet onion grated (Vidalia onions work wonderfully)
- 1 tablespoon brined non-pareil capers chopped, drained
- 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 to 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 0.5 to 3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice added to taste
- up to 1 teaspoon granulated sugar optional, added to taste
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Start by draining your pickle relish lightly—leave just a bit of liquid for flavor, but avoid making the sauce too watery. Grate the yellow or sweet onion finely using a microplane or the small side of a box grater. Chop the brined non-pareil capers and fresh dill finely so they distribute evenly throughout the sauce. Squeeze fresh lemon juice and set aside.
Step 2: Combine the Base Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of mayonnaise, followed by ½ to ¾ cup of the lightly drained pickle relish. Add the grated onion and chopped capers. Stir gently to combine these foundational flavors.
Step 3: Add the Flavor Enhancers
- Mix in ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 to 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill, and ½ to 3 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice—starting with less and adding more to taste. If you prefer a slight sweetness to balance the acidity, add up to 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Step 4: Season and Adjust
- Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well and taste. Adjust any ingredient to your preference, whether it’s more lemon juice for brightness, more pickle relish for tang, or a pinch more sugar for balance.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
- For the best flavor, refrigerate your Homemade Tartar Sauce with Pickle Relish for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled alongside fried fish, seafood, or as a tangy dip for dishes like Summer Squash Zucchini Pickle Relish Dogs.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Grater or microplane
- Knife and cutting board
- Spoon or small whisk
Notes
- Store tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Use a clean spoon each time to prevent contamination and extend freshness.
- If the sauce thickens after refrigeration, stir in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice to loosen before serving.