McDonald’s Recipes

Tartar Sauce– Easy McDonald’s Copycat

Tartar Sauce– Easy McDonald’s Copycat

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).

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Quick 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

  1. Chop the onion: Fine, like confetti. No big chunks. Trust me.
  2. Mix it all up: Grab a bowl, toss in the mayo, sugar, relish, and chopped onion. Stir till it’s smooth.
  3. Let it chill: Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. More time = better flavor.
  4. Use liberally: With fish sticks, fries, or your fingers. No judgment here.
Tartar Sauce– Easy McDonald’s Copycat
Tartar Sauce– Easy McDonald’s Copycat

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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Tartar Sauce– Easy McDonald’s Copycat

Recipe by LuluCourse: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking timeminutes
Calories

129

kcal

Creamy, 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

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