This homemade McDonald’s tartar sauce is creamy, tangy, and ridiculously easy — just mix and chill. It’s perfect for fish fillets, fries, or honestly whatever needs a dip moment. No stove, no blender, no chaos — just good flavor and five minutes of your time (plus a fridge nap).
Jump to RecipeQuick Summary
- Prep time: 5 mins
- Cook time: 0 mins
- Flavor: tangy, creamy, lightly sweet
- Great for: lazy dinners, fish sandwich nights, emotional dipping
Why I Like This Recipe
No real plan. Just a random fish fillet and a need for something that didn’t taste like “nothing.” Threw this together and wow, it was way better than store-bought. Been keeping a jar in the fridge ever since.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise (go full-fat)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp dill pickle relish
- 3 tsp finely minced white onion
How To Make Tartar Sauce
- Chop the onion: Fine, like confetti. No big chunks. Trust me.
- Mix it all up: Grab a bowl, toss in the mayo, sugar, relish, and chopped onion. Stir till it’s smooth.
- Let it chill: Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. More time = better flavor.
- Use liberally: With fish sticks, fries, or your fingers. No judgment here.

Tips for Success
- Use real dill relish, not the sweet kind
- Chill it first — warm tartar is a no
- Mince the onion super fine
- Taste before serving and adjust the sugar or salt if needed
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge: Keep in an airtight container. Good for 5–7 days.
- Freezer: Nah. It separates.
- Reheat: Nope. Cold only.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use sweet relish instead of dill?
You can, but it’ll taste off. It’s not the same vibe. - Can I use red onion?
Technically yes, but it’s stronger. White onion’s milder and closer to the original. - How long does it last?
A week in the fridge is the sweet spot. - Can I use low-fat mayo?
If you must, sure. But it won’t be as creamy. - Is this really like McDonald’s tartar?
Pretty close. Some say better. But you can adjust it to your taste.
Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them
- Using sweet relish instead of dill: Totally changes the flavor. Dill is the way.
- Skipping the chill time: The sauce needs time to blend. If you eat it right away, it’ll taste kinda flat.
- Chopping onion too big: No one wants a surprise crunch. Go small or use a grater.
- Using weird mayo: Avoid mayo with olive oil or extra stuff — they mess with the taste.
- Overdoing the sugar: It’s just one teaspoon. More than that and it gets weirdly dessert-y.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 129 kcal
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
- Sodium: 140mg
- Potassium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 0g
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- Szechuan Sauce at Home – Easy McDonald’s Copycat
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Tartar Sauce– Easy McDonald’s Copycat
Course: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings5
minutes129
kcalCreamy, zesty, slightly sweet tartar sauce that makes frozen fish feel like a drive-thru treat.
Ingredients
1 cup mayo
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp dill pickle relish
3 tsp minced white onion
Directions
- Finely chop your onion.
- Stir all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust if needed.
- Serve cold with anything crispy.
Notes
- Don’t skip the chill time
- Use full-fat mayo
- Mince onion well — no chunks
- Taste before serving and tweak if needed