• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She Loves Biscotti
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Maria
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Condiments and Sauces » Healthy Tartar Sauce Recipe without Mayo

    Healthy Tartar Sauce Recipe without Mayo

    June 10, 2021 , Updated February 20, 2023 Maria 4 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Reddit
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    A crinkle cut fry being dipped into a no mayo tartar sauce.

    Homemade condiments like this healthy tartar sauce recipe have the magical ability to transform any fish dinner into a taste sensation. With just a few flavorful ingredients, this yogurt-based sauce provides a healthy alternative to mayo. 

    A no mayo tartar sauce in a bowl next to air fryer fish and chips.
    Jump to:
    • Introduction
    • Mise en place
    • How to make tartar sauce without mayo
    • Variations
    • Tips
    • FAQ
    • More yogurt-based sauce recipes 
    • Recipe inspiration
    • Recipe

    Introduction

    If there is one thing for sure, learning how to make tartar sauce without mayo is an exceptionally flavorful and healthy approach that can bolster just about any seafood dish, whether it is tuna patties, salmon croquettes, or baked cod.

    You can surely use this tartar sauce with a fish n’ chips recipe.

    Though traditional methods certainly call for a large cup or two of mayonnaise as a primary ingredient, going with a yogurt-based sauce instead tastes just as (if not more) delectable than going with the old-fashioned route.

    The best part?

    This ultimate healthy tartar sauce recipe you are about to read below enables you to intensely savor every tasteful bite, all with a reduction of saturated fats and calories. 

    Furthermore, tartar sauce is unimaginably easy to make. All it takes is a few minutes of chopping and stirring the ingredients together. 

    Are you ready to up your healthy tartar sauce game? 

    Ingredients to make tartar sauce on a wooden board.

    Mise en place

    Since we are using a fair amount of fresh herbs, this recipe has a little mincing. So grab your sharpest knife because you are going to need it!

    Prep the herbs: Let’s begin by properly rinsing the fresh herbs under cool running water. Once they are dry, you need

    • 2 tablespoons of minced fresh chives
    • 1 tablespoon of minced fresh dill 
    • 1 tablespoon of minced fresh parsley (Italian flat-leaf)

    Prep the capers and the dill pickles: Two other ingredients need mincing:

    • 4 dill pickles and
    • 1 tablespoon of capers

    Ingredients for a no mayo tartar sauce in a bowl, next to half a lemon.

    How to make tartar sauce without mayo

    Once the herbs and some of the ingredients have been minced, all you need to do now is combine them in a small bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix them thoroughly together with a fork. More specifically:

    • 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
    • 2 teaspoons of pickle juice
    • 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice 
    • 1⁄4 teaspoon of kosher salt (or to taste)
    • pinch of black pepper (or to taste)

    That’s it! Please give it a little taste test and adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

    Cover with plastic film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours for the flavors to meld.

    Pretty simple and straightforward.

    A close up of a no mayo sauce in a small bowl next to crinkle fries and fish.

    Variations

    The real magic with this simple recipe is nailing down your perfect flavor combination. Now, if the above happens to be your ideal concoction, that is fantastic! But feel free to tweak/experiment with it until you get the savoring outcome you and your family will love. 

    This is an exceptionally versatile recipe, and you can certainly match your condiment needs with the dish you are trying to enhance by:

    • replacing the chives with tarragon.
    • Using roasted garlic for another taste experience.
    • Replacing the lemon juice with lime juice.
    • Add green olives or bell peppers if your aim is texture rather than bright flavors. 
    • Replacing the dill pickles with a sweet relish.
    • Adding lemon zest for an extra tangy sauce.

    Tips

    • Rinse the capers before mincing.
    • Use a fork rather than a whisk to combine the ingredients -it is easier to clean.
    • This recipe can easily be doubled.

    Tartar sauce surrounded by fish and chips.

    FAQ

    How long will my healthy homemade tartar sauce last?

    In most cases, you can store your healthy tartar sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days. However, keep in mind that this tartar sauce without mayo is best when served fresh. Stir it before serving.

    Aside from fish, what else does tartar sauce go with?

    Many dishes! Use it as a yogurt-based dip for potato croquettes, crinkle-cut fries or zucchini sticks. You can also dollop it over air fryer potatoes or oven-roasted vegetables. It also pairs well with ultra-spicy dishes and is a delightful spread for burgers and fish sandwiches. 

    More yogurt-based sauce recipes 

    If you prefer a lighter, garlicky dipping sauce that can also be used as a healthy salad dressing, this garlic yogurt sauce is for you. 

    An air fryer crinkle fry dipped into a Greek yogurt sauce without mayo.

    Recipe inspiration

    As a dietitian, I constantly try to create great-tasting healthy alternatives for some of my family’s favorite foods.

    I’ve been recipe testing with my air fryer for the past couple of years. This past month has been about finding lighter versions of familiar deep-fried favorites. I’ve already posted recipes for both air fryer codfish and crinkle-cut fries. 

    As you can tell from the above photo, I am testing a healthier air fryer version of fish and chips.

    It was only a matter of time before my attention turned to creating a healthier version of the perfect condiment for fish. Ultimately, creating a homemade version is not nearly as complicated as it may sound. It can be downright fun to make.

    It also tastes superior to any commercial product and is so much healthier without the mayonnaise.

    I  hope you get a chance to try this easy homemade tartar sauce. 

    Enjoy!

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    If you haven’t already joined, here is the link where you can sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. This way, you won’t miss any of my new recipes and it’s absolutely free! 

    Ciao for now, 

    Maria 

    ★★★★★ If you have made this easy Greek yogurt tartar sauce recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    A no mayo tartar sauce in a bowl next to air fryer fish and chips.

    Healthy Tartar Sauce without Mayo

    With just a few flavorful ingredients this homemade yogurt-based tartar sauce recipe provides a healthy alternative to mayo. 
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Condiments
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 20kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter you email below and I’ll send the link to your inbox.
    PLUS, be the first to get newly published recipes!

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup greek yogurt plain
    • 4 dill pickles minced
    • 2 teaspoons pickle juice
    • 1 tablespoon capers rinsed, minced
    • 2 tablespoons chives fresh, minced
    • 1 tablespoon parsley flat-leaf, minced
    • 1 tablespoon dill fresh, minced
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
    • pinch black pepper or to taste

    Instructions

    • Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
    • Stir until well combined.
    • Give it a little taste test and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Video

    Notes

     
    1 serving = 2 tablespoons
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 141IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    SIGN UP for Email updates!YES! Send me FREE RECIPES!

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter you email below and I'll send the link to your inbox.
    PLUS, be the first to get newly published recipes!

    • Facebook
    • Reddit
    • Flipboard

    Filed Under: Condiments and Sauces

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shelley Harris

      June 13, 2021 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      I made this tartar sauce this morning to try with some vegan crab cakes. I always cringe to use a cup of mayonnaise and this was a refreshing alternative. The flavour is bright and I love the mixed herbs. I like it better than traditional tartar sauce! Thank you for this recipe, Maria!

      Reply
      • Maria

        June 13, 2021 at 10:34 am

        How wonderful Shelley, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. It is the perfect condiment for crab cakes.

        Reply
    2. val

      June 11, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      I love this healthier option for tartar sauce! Thanks Maria!

      Reply
      • Maria

        June 11, 2021 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks Val! It really is such a great option! Enjoy!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Maria from She loves biscotti

    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian (retired) and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

    More about me →

    Subscribe and Follow

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    RHUBARB RECIPES

    • Sliced rhubarb cake on a wooden board.
      Easy Rhubarb Coffee Cake Recipe with Buttermilk
    • A pile of rhubarb muffins.
      Rhubarb Muffins with Buttermilk
    • Strawberry rhubarb compote in a white dish.
      Strawberry Rhubarb Compote Recipe
    • Fresh rhubarb cut into pieces on a wooden board.
      How to Freeze Rhubarb: A Step-by-Step Guide
    Banner of sites featuring She Loves Biscotti including Buzzfeed, Huffpost, etc.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 She Loves Biscotti INC

    Copyright © 2025