If you’re a fan of Russian dressing, you’ll likely fall in love with Thousand Island dressing as well. Its creamy texture and delightful blend of tangy and sweet flavors make it a perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
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Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
Thousand Island dressing is a popular American condiment with a creamy texture and sweet-tangy flavor profile. The name “Thousand Island” originates from the Thousand Islands region situated between the United States and Canada. This dressing gained popularity in the late 19th century and became widely recognized by the early 20th century.
This creamy salad dressing is made from a base of mayonnaise and usually ketchup or tomato purée, combined with chopped pickles or relish and other flavorings. It is characterized by its pinkish color and a balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.
This condiment is often confused with Russian dressing due to their similar appearance and use. However, there are key differences:
| Aspect | Thousand Island Dressing | Russian Dressing |
| Base | Mayonnaise and ketchup | Mayonnaise and chili sauce or ketchup |
| Key Ingredients | Sweet pickle relish, onion | Horseradish, pimentos |
| Sweetness | Sweeter | Less sweet, more piquant |
| Texture | Often chunkier | Usually smoother |
| Common Uses | Salads, burgers, Reuben sandwiches | Salads, Reuben sandwiches |
Thousand Island salad dressing lies in its perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and tangy elements. This makes it a versatile dressing for different dishes. It’s a perfect dressing for salads like wedge, Cobb, or seafood salads such as Seafood Louie.
It also shines as the “secret sauce” for burgers like Big Macs and Reubens, wraps, or club sandwiches. The condiment serves as an excellent accompaniment to seafood dishes like shrimp cocktails and crab cakes.
It works well as a topping for baked potatoes, tacos or taco salads, or as a dip for fries, onion rings, Mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, or pizza. You can use it as a base for pasta salads, mix it into deviled egg filling, or incorporate it into coleslaw for extra flavor.
Here’s how to make the Thousand Island dressing:
Best Thousand Island dressing
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or finely minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Variations
Thousand Island dressing has inspired numerous regional variations across the United States and beyond.
- Spicy Thousand Island adds hot sauce, Sriracha, or chili-garlic sauce to the base recipe for a noticeable kick of heat. It balances the sweetness with peppery spice.
- Tangy Version uses dill pickle relish or adds extra lemon juice and vinegar to heighten the tanginess, making the dressing brighter and livelier on the palate.
- Smoky Thousand Island incorporates smoked paprika or a hint of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, smoky undertone that adds complexity.
- Vegan Thousand Island swaps mayonnaise for a plant-based alternative like vegan mayo. This keeps the creamy texture while making it suitable for vegan diets.
- Egg-Enhanced Thousand Island includes finely chopped hard-boiled egg mixed into the dressing. This gives it a richer texture and a subtle earthiness.
- Sweet and Savory Blend uses bread and butter pickles instead of standard relish to add a mild sweetness that balances the savory ingredients beautifully.
- Herbed Thousand Island adds fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or even green olives to the dressing for a fresh, garden-fresh twist.
- Reginal Versions
- Southwest style adds the addition of chipotle peppers for a smoky kick
- New England version incorporates chopped hard-boiled eggs
- Gulf Coast dressing includes chopped olives and pimentos
- Midwest version adds shredded cheese for extra richness