Copycat Fast Food Tartar Sauce

This Copycat Fast Food Tartar Sauce is here to help you recreate your favorite fish sandwich at home.

^{As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links at no extra cost to you.} 

^{Mavely creator – I may earn a commission from links provided at no additional cost to you.} 

I know it might not be the most popular sandwich from a fast food restaurant but literally since I was a kid it was my absolute favorite sandwich. I would take a fish filet sandwich over chicken nuggets any day. I’m still that way today! If I ever have a cheat meal and we are out at a restaurant with a fish sandwich, that’s what I’m getting. My husband laughs at me all the time, but he knows the way to my heart. If I’m craving it, he will make sure I get one.

Even though I love them, I’m aware of how terrible fast food is for you. It’s not often that we have it or even go out to restaurants. So, I decided to start making them at home every once in a while. That way I know the ingredients and I can make everything preservative free.

What you need for this Copycat Tartar Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise (use a neutral, slightly sweet one like Hellmann’s/Best Foods)
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish (very finely chopped if yours is chunky)
• 1–2 tsp white onion, minced extremely fine (almost paste-like)
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Pinch of salt

---

Instructions

1. Mix everything together until completely smooth.
2. If your relish is chunky → pulse it quickly or chop finer (this matters a LOT for authenticity).
3. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30–60 minutes before using.

---

What Makes It Taste “Right”

• Sweet relish > dill relish (this is the biggest difference from classic tartar sauce)
• Onion should be barely noticeable in texture
• Slight sweetness (don’t skip the sugar)
• Smooth, spreadable—not chunky

---

Pro-Level Tweaks (If You Want It Exact)

• Add ⅛ tsp onion powder in addition to fresh onion for that “fast food” depth
• Swap 1–2 tbsp of mayo for Miracle Whip if you want a slightly sweeter, tangier profile
• Use white vinegar over pickle juice (McD’s leans cleaner, not briny)

---

🚫 What NOT to Add

This is where most recipes go wrong:

• No capers
• No Dijon mustard
• No garlic
• No herbs (parsley, dill, etc.)

---

🥪 How to Use It Like The Fast Food Chain

• Soft white bun (or sourdough bun if that’s your thing 😉)
• Fried fish patty
• Slice of cheese
• Generous smear of sauce on the top bun
• A couple of sliced pickles

I actually also have another version of tartar sauce I make probably twice a month. I use this version more for fish tacos or fish n’ chips. That version I have been making for over 10 years, it is a little different than the fast food version though. I love them both the same!