If you’re a fan of Russian dressing, you’ll likely fall in love with Thousand Island as well. Its creamy texture and delightful blend of tangy and sweet flavors make it a perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, and burgers.

What is Thousand Island dressing?

Thousand Island dressing is a popular American condiment known for its creamy texture and sweet-tangy flavor profile. The name “Thousand Island” originates from the Thousand Islands region situated between the United States and Canada. There are several stories about its creation:

Fishing Guide’s Wife: One account tells of Sophia LaLonde, the wife of a fishing guide, who invented the dressing for her husband’s shore dinner. This is the most widely accepted tale.
Boldt Castle Incident: Another story features George Boldt, a hotelier who instructed his chef to improvise a dressing during a yacht outing when none was readily available.

Regardless of its origins, Thousand Island dressing gained popularity in the late 19th century and became widely recognized by the early 20th century.

This salad dressing 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 dressing recipe

Thousand Island salad dressing lies in its perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and tangy elements. The rich, smooth texture from the mayonnaise coats the palate, while the sweetness from ketchup and sweet pickle relish is beautifully balanced by the tang of vinegar and the savory notes of onion and garlic.

Umami-rich ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and tomato add depth, making Thousand Island a versatile dressing that elevates salads, sandwiches, and more into exceptional dishes.

Here’s how to make the Thousand Island dressing:

Best Thousand Island dressing

This easy homemade dressing combines creamy mayonnaise, tangy ketchup, and sweet pickle relish with savory Worcestershire sauce and aromatic onion and garlic. Simple to make in just minutes, it’s a delicious, fresh alternative to store-bought dressings.

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Prep Time 10

Chilling time 30

Total Time 40

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 120 kcal

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

If you’re too busy, try a simplified version with mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish in equal parts. While it may lack some of the depth of the traditional recipe, it still captures the essence of Thousand Island salad dressing.

Keyword creamy salad dressing, easy recipes, homemade condiment, homemade salad dressing, Thousand Island dressing, vegetarian

Thousand Island dressing has inspired numerous regional variations across the United States and beyond.

Southwest: Addition of chipotle peppers for a smoky kick
New England: Incorporation of chopped hard-boiled eggs
Gulf Coast: Inclusion of chopped olives and pimentos
Midwest: Addition of shredded cheese for extra richness

How to use

1. As a Salad Dressing

Its creamy texture and bold flavor stand up well to crunchy vegetables and croutons. In my restaurant days, our house salad with Thousand Island dressing was always a customer favorite.

2. Sandwich and Burger Spread

The dressing particularly popular on Reuben sandwiches and has become a secret ingredient in many burger sauces. The famous “special sauce” on certain fast-food burgers is often a variation of Thousand Island dressing. Other popular bugers using this dressing are:

California Burger: West Coast favorite
Rachel sandwich : The Turkey version of Reuben
Patty Melt: The dinner staple

2. Condiment for Seafood

Thousand Island dressing serves as an excellent accompaniment to seafood dishes. Its tangy flavor complements the brininess of shellfish, making it a popular choice for shrimp cocktails and crab cakes. In my coastal restaurant, we often paired our fresh catch with a side of Thousand Island dressing, much to our patrons’ delight.

3. Dipping Sauce for Appetizers

The thick consistency of this salad dressing makes it ideal for dipping appetizers and finger foods. Some popular pairings include: