Copycat McDonald’s Tartar Sauce & Fish Sandwich (Filet ‘o Fish Recipe)
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Do you love the fish sandwiches at McDonald’s? Us, too! Those soft buns, piping hot fish filet, melty cheese, and the best tartar sauce ever! Now you can skip the drive-thru and make a Copycat McDonald’s Filet ‘o Fish Sandwich and Tartar Sauce at home!
We try not to eat a lot of fast food. Face it though, sometimes you get a craving. When Lent rolls around, we always have to get at least one McDonald’s Filet ‘0 Fish Sandwich! It’s my hubby and youngest daughter’s FAVORITE thing on the menu.
Let’s face it, though: a lot of what’s to love is that tartar sauce! Nothing beats a good tartar sauce, and McDonald’s tartar sauce is truly the best.
A few years back, my mom told me she had been using a copycat recipe for McDonald’s tartar sauce for years. “Excuse me, Mother?? How am I just hearing about this NOW?!” I promptly had her text it to me, and I set out to mimic their whole sandwich.
McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Recipe
Whenever someone mentions the word tartar sauce, I instantly think of the tartar sauce at McDonald’s. It’s just perfect.
You may ask, “What exactly is tartar sauce?” Tartar sauce is a creamy condiment primarily served with seafood dishes, most often fried fish. It’s typically made with mayonnaise, chopped pickles or relish, capers, and often herbs like dill or parsley. It gets its name for its tart flavor.
If you love fish sandwiches, you need to give my Salmon Burger with BLT Slaw a try!
What’s in a McDonald’s Filet ‘O Fish Sandwich?
The tartar sauce and the steamed buns really make the sandwich. Here are the simple ingredients you will need. Scroll to the bottom for the full printable recipe card.
- Breaded Fish Patties – I use the Van de Kamp’s Breaded Fish for Sandwiches, but use what you like.
- Hamburger Buns – Steamed. You will want to steam the buns to get that soft bun like the original.
- American Cheese Slices – It’s not a McDonald’s Fish Sandwich without the melty American cheese!
- McDonald’s Tartar Sauce – The BEST, in my opinion. To make it, you’ll need Vlasic Dill Pickle Relish, minced capers, dried minced onion, milk, dried parsley flakes, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and mayonnaise.
How to Make McDonald’s Filet ‘o Fish and Tartar Sauce
So easy to make right in your own kitchen!
Begin by making your tartar sauce. Mix all of the tartar sauce ingredients, cover, and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour before making your sandwiches.
Bake the fish patties on a baking sheet in your oven according to the package instructions. When the fish is ready, place a slice of American cheese on each patty and pop it back in the oven for just a minute or two until the cheese melts.
While the cheese is melting, steam your buns by placing them in a plastic bag (don’t seal it tight) with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds to steam.
Finally, assemble your fish sandwiches. Place the fish burger with cheese atop the bottom bun, top with a generous amount of McDonald’s Tartar Sauce, add the top bun, and enjoy!
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More restaurant copycat recipes to love
Well, you found the McDonald’s Fish Sandwich and the tartar sauce recipe, but maybe you are wondering if I have any other restaurant copycat recipes? I most certainly do! I will share some of my fast food copycat favorites with you today, and you can check out all of my restaurant copycat recipes here.
In addition to fast food favorites, I have recipes from places like Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, P.F. Changs, Starbucks, Cracker Barrel, and more!
Fast Food Restaurant Copy Cat Recipe Favorites:
- McDonald’s Big Mac Recipe (pictured above)
- Wendy’s Homemade Frosty’s
- KFC Coleslaw Recipe
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Baskin Robbins Daiquiri Ice Recipe
- Wendy’s Taco Salad
- Copy Cat Sonic Cherry-Limeade
- Egg McMuffin
I say we stop talking about it and get to the recipe for the McDonald’s Filet ‘o Fish Sandwich and Tartar Sauce!
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Copy Cat McDonald’s Filet ‘o Fish Sandwich and Tartar Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
McDonald’s Tartar Sauce Recipe
- 1/4 cup Vlasic Dill Pickle Relish
- 12 capers minced
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
For the Filet ‘O Fish Sandwich
- 6 White hamburger style buns
- 6 Van de Kamp Breaded Fish for Sandwiches
- 6 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Tartar Sauce: At least one hour before you prepare the fish, make the tartar sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a container with a lid. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- To assemble the sandwiches:Bake fish fillets according to the box. Top with a slice of American cheese while hot. Steam buns by placing them in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds to steam. Place fish, topped with cheese on bun, add tartar sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on January 20, 2016. It was updated on February 28, 2025, to upgrade the reader experience.
I’ve tried duplicating McDonalds tartar sauce so many times but unsuccessfully until I found Michaela’s recipe! The key ingredient that makes her recipe the same as McDonald’s is the “Vlasic” pickle brand. She has the recipe nailed!
Rodney – I really appreciate you coming back to comment! We agree that it tastes just like it! 😉
Yep, it’s confirmed nailed! I used cheaper dill relish….please forgive me….
Ha! No worries! Happy that you liked it!
Hi Michaela…..I’m an American living in New Zealand after moving here many years ago. I been enjoying your “copycat” recipe for McDonald’s Fish burger tartar sauce. Could you please tell me the brand of Mayonnaise that you use. By any chance is it “Hellmann’s” (from the UK) ???
Many Thanks
It sure is! I am happy that you are enjoying it, Rodney!
I worked at McD’s and the only change to this sandwich is that McDonalds only uses 1/2 slice of American cheese, not a whole one.
Recipe looks great.
I always figure why skimp when I am at home!? haha! Thanks for the compliment – I am glad you like them, too!
This looks great and I will try it. I do recall however, that when I was working at McDonalds, years ago, they only used 1/2 slice of cheese. 🙂
We love our cheese! I always use a whole slice – but I have heard that before! Thanks, Bob!
If I used miracle whip instead of mayo, could I skip the sugar?
I think that would change the taste a lot to use Miracle Whip. Of course, you can always try it and see if you like it that way. There is no harm in making it your own. You could make it then see if it needed the sugar, then add in accordingly.
First if all, us it dried parsley flakes? And secondly, how do you mince Capers??
Yes, dried. Mincing means to chop small. Use a knife.
Anything you can use in place of capers? Or if you leave them out does that change it too much?
You would be fine to leave them out if you don’t care for them. you really can’t taste them all that much once it mixes together, but you’d be fine without them. 🙂
Do you put the dried onions in the way they are or do you soften them first. Thank you
Just the way they are. 🙂
Ok I made this and it is right on the money! It didn’t show how much capers to use so I assumed it was 1/2 tsp this recipe came just in time for Lent☺️thank you so much
I always just count out 12. 🙂 So happy that you liked it!