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The Ultimate Creamy & Tangy Homemade Tartar Sauce

Close-up of creamy, homemade tartar sauce mixed with green herbs and relish, served in a small white bowl.

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Make this easy homemade tartar sauce in minutes. It is creamy, tangy, and the perfect dipping sauce for fried fish, crab cakes, and shrimp. You will not go back to store-bought after trying this simple recipe.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, drained
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, chopped dill pickles, chopped capers, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and fresh parsley.
  2. Mix all ingredients together until they are fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
  3. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Cover the bowl and chill the tartar sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
  5. Serve your zesty tartar sauce with crispy fish, crab cakes, or as a tangy dipping sauce for fries.

Notes

  • For a copycat version similar to Culver’s, use finely minced sweet pickle relish and slightly increase the amount of lemon juice for extra tang.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, use only sweet pickle relish instead of adding extra chopped dill pickles.
  • This homemade tartar sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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