This Southern tartar sauce is creamy, tangy, and full of classic flavor. It’s an old-fashioned, homemade recipe that brightens fried fish, seafood sandwiches, and more. Easy to make in minutes, the fresh combination of pickles, lemon, shallots, and dill gives it a distinctly Southern tang.
Homemade tartar sauce tastes fresher than store-bought jars because you control the texture and seasoning. The brightness of lemon and the tang of chopped pickles pair perfectly with the richness of mayonnaise. Shallots add a mild onion flavor, while dill and black pepper round out the profile.
Why this tartar sauce is so good
- Fast and simple to prepare with common pantry ingredients.
- Ready in under five minutes—perfect for last-minute dinners.
- Exceptional with fried seafood, crab cakes, fish sandwiches, and fries.
- Fresh flavor that elevates store-bought or home-cooked fish dishes.
- Customizable: add heat, herbs, or swaps to suit your taste.
Ingredients (see recipe card below for exact amounts)
Refer to the recipe card at the bottom for precise quantities.
Quick recipe overview
Below is a short walkthrough. Full instructions are in the recipe card further down.
- Step 1: Finely dice shallots and dill pickles and add them to a small bowl.
- Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients—mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon, Worcestershire, dill, and black pepper—and stir until smooth and evenly combined.
- Step 3: Serve immediately or refrigerate to allow flavors to meld for a deeper taste.
Tip: Make the sauce a little ahead of time and chill it to let the flavors blend and mellow.
Variations and substitutions
- Lime juice instead of lemon for a brighter citrus note.
- Hot sauce for heat—add a few drops to taste.
- Sweet or dill pickle relish in place of chopped pickles for a different texture.
- Capers as an alternative to pickles for a saline, briny lift.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt blended with mayo to lighten the sauce.
- Whole-grain mustard for texture and a milder mustard flavor.
- Fresh herbs such as parsley, tarragon, or chives can replace dill for a fresher herb profile.
- Cayenne or Cajun seasoning if you want a spicier Southern twist.
- Garlic or red onion can be used sparingly for an extra savory layer.
Connect with the author
Equipment
Only basic kitchen tools are needed.
A small mixing bowl and a spoon or whisk are all you need to make this tartar sauce. A squeezable bottle is handy for storage and easy serving.
Related recipes
-
Cajun Butter Sauce
-
Seafood Sauce
-
Southern White Gravy
-
Cajun Fish Fry
- Catfish Nuggets
Storage
Keep leftover tartar sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. For easier dispensing, transfer to a squeeze bottle.
Author notes
Using dill paste is a convenient substitute for fresh dill when it’s not available. It stores well and still delivers that herbaceous dill flavor.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a food photographer and home cook who focuses on Southern and Cajun flavors. She tests recipes carefully and shares approachable, dependable dishes on her blog.
Her work has appeared on national outlets and she frequently contributes recipes and food photography to online publications and culinary projects.
What to serve with tartar sauce
- Fried fish fillets
- Crab legs
- Fish sticks
- French fries
- Salmon burgers
- Fresh vegetables as a dip
- Hush puppies
- Fried crab claws
If you make this Southern tartar sauce, please leave a comment below to share how it turned out. Reader feedback helps refine recipes and inspires new variations.
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Southern Tartar Sauce Recipe
ANNOUNCEMENT
Watch the author’s culinary appearances and follow her recipes for more inspiration.
Equipment
-
Small mixing bowl and spoon or whisk
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Shallots, finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons Dill pickles, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Lemon juice
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoons Dill paste or chopped fresh dill
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
-
Dice the shallots and pickles finely so the sauce has a pleasant texture and each bite includes a bit of brine and crunch.
-
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly until smooth and evenly mixed. Taste and adjust lemon, mustard, or pepper to your preference.
-
Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Store in an airtight container for up to five days.
Notes
This tartar sauce is easily customized—try adding capers, a pinch of cayenne, or swapping some mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
Nutrition
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