Thousand Island Dressing is a classic, creamy condiment that adds a tangy, sweet kick to everything from salads to sandwiches. With its versatile flavor, this homemade version is easy to whip up and can be customized to suit your palate!
Say goodbye to store-bought salad dressings and hello to a tasty homemade version of a traditional dressing that you’ll want to drizzle over your favorite salad, use as a dip, or spread on sandwiches.
Ingredients
This Thousand Island dressing recipe comes together with a handful of pantry staples or ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store. They all add just the right balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base that gives this dressing its smooth, rich texture and helps bind all the flavors together.
- Ketchup – This condiment adds a hint of sweetness and a pop of color to the dressing. Avoid adding too much ketchup so it doesn’t wind up too sweet.
- White Vinegar – Vinegar brings a bright tang that balances out the richness of the mayonnaise and adds a touch of acidity.
- Sugar – White sugar adds a slight sweetness to balance the tangy and savory elements. Adjust as needed if you like a sweeter dressing.
- Pickle Relish – Relish adds a bit of crunch and a nice, zesty contrast to the creamy base, giving the dressing its signature flavor.
- Onion Powder – This spice enhances the savory depth without the need for fresh onion. It blends well into the dressing, keeping it smooth.
- Coarse Kosher Salt – Salt brings out all the flavors in the dressing and helps balance the sweetness of the ketchup and sugar. You can also use sea salt.
- Sweet Paprika – This bright spice adds a mild, sweet warmth and a slight hint of smokiness to round out the flavor.
- Ground White Pepper – White pepper provides a subtle kick without overpowering the dressing. It’s a bit milder than black pepper, making it a great choice for this creamy dressing.
Variations
Want to give your homemade dressing a unique twist? Here are some tasty variations to try!
- Dijon Mustard – Adds a bit of tangy sharpness for those who like a slightly bolder flavor.
- Hot Sauce – A few drops give it a spicy kick, perfect if you want a bit of heat in your dressing.
- Minced Garlic – Adds an aromatic depth and a touch of savory flavor for garlic lovers.
- Lemon Juice – For a brighter, zestier tang, replace some or all of the vinegar with fresh lemon juice.
- Smoked Paprika – Swap regular paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce – This sauce adds a savory, umami note that complements the other ingredients and enhances the overall taste.
- Fresh Dill – For a more herbaceous flavor, stir in some finely chopped fresh dill.
- Relish – Opt for sweet pickle relish or dill relish. Or, slice up your own dill pickles or bread and butter pickles.
- Vinegar – Use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar.
- Onion – Add some diced red onion for color, crunch, and flavor.
- Heat – Toss in some mustard seed, chili sauce, or other spices for a kick of heat
- Texture – Add a little texture with diced red bell pepper or celery seed.
- Citrus – Brighten up the dressing with a little fresh lemon or lemon juice concentrate.
How to Make Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Making this dressing at home is quick and easy. Here’s how to whip it up in just a few steps:
- Combine The Ingredients. Add all of the ingredients together in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- Chill Before Serving. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dressing for at least half an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
What to Serve With Thousand Island Dressing
Thousand Island dressing is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Drizzle it over a classic simple garden salad or a wedge salad for a refreshing main course or side dish.
Beyond salads, this dressing makes an excellent spread for burgers, sandwiches, and paninis. Slather it on your favorite sandwich or make a home version of a McDonald’s Big Mac.
It’s particularly good on reuben sandwiches or turkey club pinwheels. Its creamy, tangy flavor complements savory ingredients, making it a great addition to wraps and the perfect dipping sauce for veggies, chips, french fries, or German egg rolls.
Storage and Freezing
Store this homemade salad dressing in the fridge to keep it fresh, flavorful, and safe to eat.
How to Store Thousand Island Dressing
Store Thousand Island Dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. Stir before using if it separates.
Can I Freeze This Dressing?
Freezing isn’t recommended for this dressing because of the mayonnaise base, which may separate and change texture when thawed.
Common Questions about Thousand Island Dressing
Typically, Thousand Island Dressing is made with a base of mayonnaise, ketchup, and vinegar, along with sweet and savory seasonings like pickle relish, sugar, and spices.
They are similar, but Russian Dressing often has a spicier, tangier profile and usually includes horseradish, while Thousand Island is sweeter with pickle relish.
Yes, it makes a delicious dip for veggies, chips, or fries thanks to its creamy, tangy flavor.
More Delicious Dressings and Sauces
Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup of mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 teaspoons pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, relish, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving over your favorite salad.
Nutrition
