This southern tartar sauce recipe is so deliciously creamy and tangy, it's an old-fashioned recipe that has stood the test of time. Perfect served with any fried fish.

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What makes this recipe so yummy

• It's a super easy recipe to make. Simple ingredients you most likely will already have.
• It takes less than 5 minutes to whip up.
• It'll be your favorite dip for things like crab cakes and seafood dishes.
• This creamy condiment will bring up your fish sandwiches to next level.
• This homemade version is better than anything you can buy in a grocery store.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

• Dill Pickles
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Black Pepper
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Dijon Mustard
• Dill Paste
• Shallots

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Step 1: Finely chop the shallots and the picked and add to a small mixing bowl.
• Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients and stir well until full combined.
• Step 3: Serve or refrigerate for later.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

• Lime Juice - instead of Lemon Juice
• Hot Sauce - to imbue some heat.
• Sweet Pickles - instead of dill pickles.
• Dill Pickle Relish - instead of dill pickles.
• Capers - instead of the pickles, for the salty/sour infusion.
• Sour Cream - use a little in place of the mayonnaise.
• Miracle Whip - instead of mayonnaise.
• Sweet Pickle Relish - instead of dill pickles.
• Cayenne Pepper - sprinkle a little of this to add a little kick.
• Fresh Parsley - instead of dill, if you can't get it. Tarragon is good too for additional herbs.
• Dried Dill Weed - instead of the dill paste.
• Old Bay Seasoning - add a little of this for some more flavor.
• Greek Yogurt - mix with the mayo.
• Red Onion - add a little red onion instead of the shallots.
• Fresh Chives - add a little.
• Garlic - could taste good.
• Cajun seasoning - to make it more of a Cajun tartar sauce recipe.
• Whole-grain Mustard - instead of the Dijon.

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Necessary gear: Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Not much equipment is used in the making of this classic condiment. Just a mixing bowl, which I have linked in the recipe card below.

Related Recipes

• Cajun Butter Sauce
• Seafood Sauce
• Southern White Gravy
• Cajun Fish Fry
• Catfish Nuggets

How to store leftovers

Store this southern tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Mel's kitchen notes

Decant into a squeezable bottle to store in the refrigerator - it will keep longer this way plus it's less clean up.

What To Eat With Tartar Sauce

• Fried Fish Fillets
• Crab Legs
• Fish Sticks
• French Fries
• Salmon Burgers
• Fresh Vegetables
• Hush Puppies
• Fried Crab Claws

If you’ve tried this Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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