• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Cagle Diaries logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
×
Home » Recipes » Southern Recipes

Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe


Prep Time :5 minutes mins
Total Time :5 minutes mins
Servings :1 -½ Cups
Jump to Recipe
Close up of a dish of southern tartar sauce.
A bowl of southern tartar sauce with some fried fish on the side. Some text overlay for pinterest.

Published: Apr 8, 2024 · Modified: Sep 22, 2024 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

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.

A piece of fish being dipped into some southern tartar sauce.
Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe
Save Recipe

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below and we'll send you the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent periodically!)


The freshness infused in a homemade tartar sauce is perfect for eating with some fried fish. The tangy flavors of the pickles and the lemon juice, then the flavors given by the shallots and the black pepper really makes this sauce a southern favorite.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • Related Recipes
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • What To Eat With Tartar Sauce
  • Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

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

Ingredients laid out that will be needed to make a southern tartar sauce with text overlay.
  • 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.

Hint: Make a little ahead of time to allow the flavors to melt together more.

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.
an overhead view of a dish of tartar sauce with some fish on the side.
Cajun Tartar Sauce Recipe

Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page

The Cagle Diaries

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

  • close up of a bowl of cajun butter sauce.
  • A bowl of seafood sauce with some boiled crabs in the background
  • Overhead shot of southern white gravy poured over a pork chop.
  • close up of some cajun fried fish.
  • 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

A large bowl of tartar sauce.

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!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!

a loaf tin with banana bread with mayo on a cooling rack

Viral Recipe Alert!

Banana Bread

Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!

Get the recipe
Close up of a dish of southern tartar sauce.
Print (Email Required)

Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe

This southern tartar sauce recipe is an old fashioned dip that is perfect next to any fried seafood.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Servings: 1 -½ Cups
Cuisine: Southern Food
Author: Melanie Cagle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Glass Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Shallots
  • 2 Tablespoons Dill Pickles
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 Cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Tablespoons Dill Paste
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Dice the shallots and the pickles.
    1 Tablespoon Shallots, 2 Tablespoons Dill Pickles
  • In a small bowl add all ingredients and mix well.
    1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1 Cup Mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 1 Tablespoons Dill Paste, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Notes

I use Dill Paste quite often as it keeps in the refrigerator well and sometimes it's hard for me to find fresh dill in my stores. It works very well in place of fresh dill, but of course if you have it fresh, it's better.
Did You Make This?Please consider Leaving a Review!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 290mg | Sugar: 1g

Sign Up for my emails and never miss another recipe!

I'll never share your email, or send you spam. Pinkie Promise!

More Southern Recipes

  • An old fashioned hummingbird cake with some slices removed, the image is cropped square.
    Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake Recipe
  • Close up of the top of a country apple pie recipe.
    Country Apple Pie Recipe
  • close up of a plate of crawfish enchiladas with some avocado in the background
    Crawfish Enchiladas Recipe
  • Side view of a skillet full of crawfish sauce.
    Crawfish Sauce
142 shares
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

Filed Under: Cajun Recipes, Sauces, Side Recipes, Southern Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

Momma Cagle!

Picture of Melanie Cagle standing in front of her stove, in the kitchen.

I'm Melanie, I am mom to two beautiful children and married to James - my American sweetheart (I'm British).  A transplant in Houma, South Louisiana I have found a love for all Cajun and Creole food.
Learn more about me...

CAJUN FAVORITES

  • Bowl of crawfish etouffee with rice scoop in the middle.
    Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
  • Close up of boudin balls with a hint of the mustard cream sauce peeking in, sprinkled with green onions on top.
    Deep Fried Boudin Balls
  • A tray of boiled crabs with veggies and dipping sauce.
    Authentic Louisiana Crab Boil Recipe: Spicy Cajun Seafood Feast
  • Close up of a bowl of seafood gumbo with a pile of rice and a spoon digging into it.
    Authentic Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Recipe
  • A large platter of fried catfish nuggets with some lemon wedges and a tartar sauce.
    Fried Catfish Nuggets
  • Close up of some pinto beans and sausage on a spoon over a crock pot.
    Crock Pot Pinto Beans

Footer

↑ back to top

About

as seen on logo images

Terms & Conditions | Accessibility Policy | Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

©2025 Copyright The Cagle Diaries. All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required