Easy Tartar Sauce is so easy, and yet so delicious! You will want to have fish as often as possible because of the ease and taste of the tartar sauce. In fact, it works great with my Baja Fish Tacos! You can also use this as an alternative tartar sauce recipe for my Fish and Chips.
Tartar Sauce Ingredients and Substitutions
Just like the name of this tartar sauce says, it is EASY! Again, I am not exaggerating about that–it is only three ingredients!
- Dill Pickle Relish: We prefer Mt Olive Simply Relish Deli Dill Style. This dill pickle relish has thicker chunks, it’s easier to drain, and it holds up better than other versions. Some, like Vlassic, are mushy, hard to drain, and produce a more watery final tartar sauce. Yes, you can use Sweet Relish if you prefer. Some folks have even mentioned they prefer homemade or zucchini relishes!
- Miracle Whip: Miracle whip is what we have always used. Mayo is a substitute, and you can choose whichever brand you prefer. (Folks insist Dukes is the best!) You could even try my amazing Homemade Mayo!
- Red Onion: I like to make sure my onions are finely diced. If you only have white, sweet, or yellow onion on hand those will work in a pinch. Chives might even work!
Tartar Sauce Variations
When you start with an easy recipe like this, it is really easy to customize. Feel free to add these and see what is your favorite.
- Lemon Juice for a little acid
- Horseradish
- OldBay Seasoning
- Ranch Dressing
- Capers and/or their juice
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Easy Tartar Sauce
Have I mentioned how easy this tartar sauce is? The recipe is equal parts relish, miracle whip, and onion.
How Many Does This Serve?
This will make enough for a family of 8 who really likes tartar sauce or 12 people who consume average portions.
I know my recipe states 1 cup of each ingredient, but you can just as easily use one 15-ounce container relish, a 15-ounce container miracle whip, and about 2 medium red onions, chopped. Any equation works as long as it is equal parts of each ingredient. So, it can be customized for 2 people or 100 people!
Is Tartar Sauce just for Fish?
Absolutely not! One of my favorite uses for tartar sauce is to dip my french fries into it. When you have your fish and chips, have extra tartar sauce on hand for the fries, for sure! You can also use it on most seafood, particularly fried seafood like shrimp, clams, and oysters. Get creative and add some ketchup to your Easy Tartar Sauce to spread on your burger. What does it taste like to you???
More Sandwiches
Easy Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup dill pickle relish, drained
- 1 cup miracle whip or mayonnaise
- 1 cup finely diced red onion
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir well to combine. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
- Store covered in a refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Did you make this recipe?
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I used reconstituted dehydrated onion (no chopping needed) and Hellman’s Light Mayo. And it turned out great.
Finally a recipe that has ingredients that I always have on hand. I’m a Miracle Whip girl! I grew up on it. My mother never used mayonnaise Most recipes call for mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. I prefer dill relish to sweet relish. Thank you!
I HAVE ALWAYS MADE MY OWN TARTAR SAUCE .. ALWAYS USE MIRACLE WHIP, SWEET RELISH AND ONIONS.,,,AND IT LAST A LONG TIME. USE KRAFT MAYO FOR RANCH DRESSING AND RECIPE FOR CHICKEN SALAD. YUMMY. MY FAMILY AND CHURCH FAMILY LIKE MY HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING!!!
Love your recipes
This is so yummy! So easy too- sometimes I give a little squeeze of lemon juice too.
Excellent recipe as you can alter how much you make. I just change up to Mayonnaise as couldnt get anyone here to touch Miracle Whip with a 10 foot pole.
I like it with sweet relish & horseradish
I would make it with Hellman’s Extra Creamy. It’s thicker than the usual type. I bought Miracle Whip recently and was stunned that it tasted nothing like I remember it. Threw out the whole jar.
This is my exact go to! I love it…
Been making my own tartar sauce for years. Hellman’s Mayonaise, Dill Pickle Relish and Prepared Horseradish. I use about 1 cup of Mayonaise with 3-4 large TB of Dill Relish and 2-3 TB of Horseradish. I make it to taste, so after I have mixed everything together, I taste it to see if I need a little more of this or that. Best tartar sauce ever!