This Easy 4 Ingredient Tartar Sauce is so simple to make! It's bursting with lemony flavor and can be made sweet or tangy in minutes! It's the perfect compliment to crispy fish or golden fries!
If you love homemade condiments you will also love my Truffle Aioli , Homemade Big Mac Sauce and Taco Bell Cheese!
I love making this 4 ingredient tartar sauce myself because most tartar sauces have sweet relish and I prefer a tangy dill pickle relish and it takes just minutes to prepare your own tartar sauce. I feel like a good sauce can really elevate a meal! The other nice thing about homemade sauces is you know exactly what is going into them...simple ingredients, no weird chemicals or added sugars, especially when you use high-quality ingredients!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This truly is the best tartar sauce recipe to add to your go-to condiment list for a creamy tartar sauce.
- Easy Recipe: With just four basic ingredients, you can have a flavorful easy tartar sauce recipe ready in no time!
- Customizable: Adjust the ingredients to your taste preferences for a personalized creamy condiment that complements any dish and tastes way better than any grocery store variety!
- Versatile: Perfect for fish or dunking with french fries!
Ingredient Notes
- Mayonnaise: Choose a high-quality mayonnaise to be the base of this homemade sauce.
- Sweet Pickle Relish or Tangy Dill Relish: The choice between sweet or tangy dill is up to your personal preference have fun experimenting with different varieties.
- Dijon Mustard or Yellow Mustard: The mustard brings a tangy kick to the sauce. Choose between Dijon and yellow mustard based on your flavor preference.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice provides a zesty, citrusy flavor to the sauce. Adjust the quantity to achieve the desired level of brightness in your tartar sauce.
- Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat to the tartar sauce.
- Salt: Add salt to enhance the overall flavor of the sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.
How to Make 4 Ingredient Tartar Sauce?
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl.
2. Stir to combine. For best results allow the sauce to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fish and Chips are and obvious classic pairing however it is also a delicious sauce served with your favorite seafood dishes like shrimp, calamari, or crab cakes as a dipping sauce it enhances the natural flavors of seafood. You can also spread it on a burger, or a sandwich and serve it as a dip for chicken tenders, nuggets or raw veggies!
Homemade tartar sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be sure to store it in an airtight container like a mason jar to maintain freshness. Before each use, give it a quick stir to recombine any separated ingredients.
To thicken tartar sauce be sure that you give it time in the refrigerator to chill a couple of hours or overnight. It will thicken and also give the flavors an opportunity to meld. Adding too much lemon juice may thin the tartar sauce, if this happens you can add a bit more mayo, greek yogurt or sour cream to thicken it!
Expert Tips
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Freshly ground pepper and squeezed lemon juice can make a significant difference. Fresh dill would also be a lovely garnish but you can also use dried dill!
- Don't hesitate to adjust ingredient ratios to create a tartar sauce that suits your taste buds perfectly. If you like sweet go for for sweet relish if you like tang go for tangy dill relish.
- Do not use bottled lemon juice from concentrate. Fresh lemon juice is best in this recipe.
Recipe Variations
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy version.
- Herb-Infused: Mix in finely chopped fresh herbs like dill weed, parsley, or chives for a herb-infused fresh twist that takes the sauce to the next level.
- 3 ingredients: You could even make this a 3 ingredient tartar sauce by leaving out the mustard and it will still be delicious with just the mayonnaise, relish, and lemon juice!
- Add a little more fresh lemon juice to thin tartar sauce and you can even use it as a salad dressing for a seafood salad!
Recipe Substitutions
- Swap out some or all of the mayo for plain Greek yogurt for a lighter alternative.
- Feel free to use chopped dill pickles or sweet pickles in place of the relish. I love these pickles.
- Substitute lemon juice with white wine vinegar for a different acidic element if desired but the lemon is highly recommended especially paired with fish!
Storage Tips
- Store any leftover tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recipe
4 Ingredient Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3-4 tablespoons sweet pickle relish or tangy dill relish
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons dijon or yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar.
- Sample the sauce as you go and adjust quantities of ingredients based on your preferences
- Chill for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Freshly ground pepper and squeezed lemon juice can make a significant difference. Fresh dill would also be a lovely garnish!
- Don't hesitate to adjust ingredient ratios to create a tartar sauce that suits your taste buds perfectly. If you like sweet go for for sweet relish if you like tang go for tangy dill relish.
- Do not use bottled lemon juice from concetrate. Fresh lemon juice is best in this recipe.
Leave a Reply