Even though I often crave McDonald’s menu items. I’m a huge fan of their dips and sauces, especially Tartar Sauce, which elevates the flavors of their famous Filet-O-Fish.

To satisfy my ultimate craving for their tartar sauce every time, I decided to recreate the amazing dip right at home with this recipe.
Ever since I made it, I have always included this tartar sauce in my parties and weekend dinner gatherings.
If you love McDonald’s tartar sauce as much as I do, recreate this delicious McDonald’s tartar sauce in your own kitchen. Whether you’re craving crispy fish filets or golden potato fries, this creamy, tangy sauce will elevate all your meals.
Equipments Required
- Mixing Bowl: I use a medium-sized bowl to mix my sauce. You can also use a large bowl if you prefer.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons: To maintain consistency and precision in your measurements, make sure to use these tools.
- Large Spoon: To achieve a uniform mixture of the ingredients with the mayonnaise, I recommend using a large spoon.

McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredient quantities listed below are enough to make 4 portions of McDonald’s Tartar Sauce.
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise: You can also try using sour cream for a tangy and creamy texture, which is quite similar to mayonnaise.
- 1½ Teaspoons Capers: I also use chopped green olives for a salty, slightly bitter taste.
- 3½ Tablespoons Dill Pickle Relish: You can also use gherkin pickles for a sweeter taste or pickled jalapenos for a spicy kick.
- 2 Tablespoons Chopped Onion: If you want an extra pungent taste, you can even try using shallots or spring onions.
- ½ Teaspoon Sugar: I recommend adding honey for sweet and floral taste notes.
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Parsley: I often use dried thyme or basil for a herby aroma
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice: If you wish to use an alternative for lime juice, I suggest using white wine vinegar for a sweet, acidic punch.
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Minutes | – | 10 Minutes |
How To Make McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Recipe At Home

Step 1
Add mayonnaise to a bowl.

Step 2
Then add chopped onions, capers, and fresh dill pickle to the mayonnaise and mix until evenly combined.

Step 3
Now add dried parsley, lemon juice, and sugar to the bowl, then stir to combine everything well.

Step 4
Here you go! Your delicious McDonald’s tartar sauce is ready to taste.
McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Recipe Video
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- I always use two varieties of pickles, like dill pickle relish with gherkins or jalapenos, for a better flavor.
- You can also add a spoonful of Dijon mustard for an extra-robust, spicy kick.
- When adding sugar, I always add a little salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- For a fruity flavor, add apple cider vinegar, which elevates the sauce to a sweet, fruity tone.
- I add lemon zest or orange zest to the sauce for a citrusy burst.
- I even add garlic powder or onion powder for a savory, umami-rich flavor.
- For an added hot flavor, I recommend adding a little hot sauce to the mayonnaise.
- I mostly rest the sauce for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld in better.
- You even use freshly chopped herbs instead of dried ones for a better flavor.
FAQ’s About McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Recipe
Nutritional Information Per Serving
McDonald’s Tartar Sauce is not a very healthy option, as it contains a high amount of fat from mayonnaise. Hence, it is best to enjoy it in moderation to maintain a balanced diet.
| Calories | 207 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 13 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 12 mg |
| Sodium | 342 mg |
| Potassium | 25 mg |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Vitamin A | 42 IU |
| Vitamin C | 1 mg |
| Calcium | 5 mg |
| Iron | 0.3 mg |
This McDonald’s Tartar Sauce is suitable for gluten-free and dairy-free diets. Unfortunately, it is completely unsuitable for vegan, vegetarian, keto, low-fat, and low-sugar diets. However, with some variations to the recipe, people with any dietary restrictions can enjoy it.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Vegan or Vegetarian Diet: I recommend using egg-free vegan mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise.
- Ketogenic Diet: To make this recipe keto-friendly. I suggest replacing sugar with stevia.
- Low-Fat Diet: I recommend adding low-fat mayonnaise or silken tofu to make this recipe suitable for people following a low-fat diet.
- Low-Sugar Diet: Similar to a ketogenic diet, I suggest replacing sugar with stevia so that this tartar sauce becomes suitable for low-sugar diets.
Storing This Recipe
- In The Refrigerator: I usually store my tartar sauce in the refrigerator. You can do the same by transferring your sauce to an airtight container or vacuum-sealed jars and refrigerating them. It stays fresh for up to 1-2 months.
- In The Freezer: I highly recommend not storing this tartar sauce in the freezer, as low temperatures will ruin the mayonnaise’s texture and eventually spoil the sauce. It is best to stick to the refrigerator to store this recipe.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This tartar sauce makes a great dip or spread for a variety of dishes. I often scoop or spread it on regular bread, but I highly recommend trying it with a classic favorite, Potato Wedges.
I also recommend drizzling this sauce over Fish Tacos for a delightful flavor and pouring it over Grilled Salmon for a flavor explosion. Try spreading this tartar sauce on your Fried Chicken Sandwich or McDonald’s Homemade Filet-O-Fish.
I also serve this sauce alongside Fish Fries or Crab Cakes, which are always a standout at parties. tartar sauce to them for a flavor boost.
Lastly, you can even drizzle it over your Stuffed Mushrooms, Potato Salad, or Bean Salad to elevate them with a creamy, tangy flavor.
Printable Version
McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 ½ Teaspoon Capers
- 3 ½ Tablespoon Dill Pickle Relish
- 2 Tablespoon Chopped Onion
- ½ Teaspoon Sugar
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Large Spoon
Instructions
Video
Notes
- I always use two varieties of pickles, like dill pickle relish with gherkins or jalapenos, for a better flavor.
- You can also add a spoon of Dijon mustard for an extra robust and spicy kick.
- While adding sugar, I always add a little salt and pepper for flavor enhancement.
- For a fruity flavor, add apple cider vinegar, as this elevates the sauce to a sweet and fruity tone.
- I add lemon zest or orange zest to the sauce for a citrusy burst.
- I even add garlic powder or onion powder for a savory and umami taste.
- For an added hot flavor, I recommend adding a little hot sauce to the mayonnaise.
- I mostly rest the sauce for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld in better.
- You even use freshly chopped herbs instead of dried ones for a better flavor.
Nutrition
More McDonald’s Recipes That You Can Try






Conclusion
I’ve found that using this McDonald’s tartar sauce enhances the flavor of many dishes. It pairs excellently with seafood, chicken tenders, vegetables, and fries.
So, don’t hesitate to experiment with this delicious and flavorful sauce today! Give it a try and share your thoughts with me. I’ll be back soon with another fantastic recipe. Until then, happy cooking!





This tartar sauce recipe is very good. I have always made my own tartar sauce and it always turns out good, but I thought I would try this recipe, since I do like McDonald’s tartar sauce. I had capers and seldom use them, so I thought this was a perfect opportunity to use them. The recipe didn’t say to mince the capers, but I did and I believe it is better that way. I will continue to use this recipe because I think it makes a very tasty sauce.
Thank you for your feedback! We actually chopped the capers in the recipe because adding them minced can make the sauce too sour and also change its color. Next time you make it, make sure to chop the capers, it really helps keep the flavor balanced and the sauce looking just right.