Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce

This creamy, tangy, and flavorful homemade vegan tartar sauce is loaded with fresh dill, sweet relish, and a hint of Dijon. Perfect with vegan crab cakes, fries, vegan fish sticks, and more. Quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients!

If you love sauces, check out my Mississippi Comeback Sauce and The Best Vegan Yum Yum Sauce.

Why I love this homemade vegan tartar sauce

You know how some condiments just make everything better? For me, tartar sauce is one of them. The creamy base, the tangy bite, the burst of fresh dill, it's like the world's best supporting actor for all things crispy and golden.

Only problem? Traditional tartar sauce is basically a mayonnaise-based sauce made from eggs, and while I like chickens, I prefer not to eat their reproductive output.

So I set out to make my own tartar sauce, a plant-based twist on the classic condiment. And let me tell you, the results are so good I now keep a jar in my fridge at all times.

Yes, it's that versatile. French fries, sandwiches, salads, and Crunchy Vegan Tofu Fish Fillets. And don’t forget the vegan crab cakes, vegan fish sticks, onion rings, and vegan fish tacos. This sauce is the perfect companion for them all.

The result? A sauce with creamy texture, bursts of flavor, and enough personality to make your vegan fish alternatives feel like a five-star seafood dish.

Simple ingredients you’ll need (with substitutions)

One of my favorite things about this easy vegan tartar sauce recipe is that it uses simple ingredients you can find in most grocery stores. You might already have them in your fridge right now.

Here's what you'll need:

Vegan mayonnaise: The main ingredient for that creamy base.
Sweet relish or dill relish: Adds texture and flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use dill pickles or sweet pickles.
Dijon mustard or yellow mustard: A little goes a long way. Your choice, depending on personal preference.
Apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice: Adds acidity and lift.
Maple syrup: Optional, but I love the balance it adds.
Garlic powder: Because garlic makes everything better.
Optional: Fresh dill brings a little brightness and a fresh herb flavor.

How to make your own vegan tartar sauce

I'm going to be real with you: this is barely a recipe. It's more of a "grab a small bowl and stir" situation.

That being said, you can find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

1. Mayo – Add your vegan mayonnaise to a small bowl.
2. Stir – Mix in the sweet relish, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup.
3. Herbs & extras – Stir in the fresh dill, garlic powder, and any other fresh herbs you're feeling.
4. Sample – Taste, adjust, and maybe do a little happy dance because you just made homemade vegan tartar sauce in about two minutes.

How to store it

Keep your tartar sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to one week, though in my house it never lasts that long.