The best homemade Thousand Island Dressing recipe is quick and easy to make in just 5 minutes. Mayonnaise, ketchup, sour cream, and relish are mixed together to create a tangy sauce. Drizzle this creamy dressing over salads, spread on burgers or sandwiches, or use as a dip!
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Salad dressing, sauce, or delicious dip… this Homemade Thousand Island can do it all!!
What starts off with a few simple condiments—some mayonnaise, ketchup, and sour cream—gets zhuzhed up a bit with sweet pickle relish, vinegar and garlic. (Much like this Secret Sauce I use on burgers!)
Most store-bought brands are loaded with tons of sugar and oils.
But not this one. When you make it at home you can control exactly what ingredients go into your sauce.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise. Duke’s and Hellman’s are the preferred brands. You can also mix it up with Miracle Whip or even a vegan mayo.
- Ketchup. Any ketchup you have on hand will work.
- Sour Cream. For the right tang definitely don’t skimp on this. Use Tofutti for a dairy-free alternative.
- Relish. Sweet pickle relish is best for a classic taste. Dill relish is a good option if you don’t want the added sugar.
- Worcestershire. A must for the umami flavor thanks to a hint of molasses and vinegar.
- Onion. You want it very, very finely minced. Sweet is best but a white onion will work well, too.
- Paprika. Regular paprika is in this recipe, but you can also mix in smoked paprika for more of a kick.
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make Thousand Island Dressing
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
- Combine the ingredients. Pour everything into a medium-sized bowl. Save on dishes and use a bowl with a lid if you want to store it for later.
- Mix it well. Use a whisk to stir everything until it is smooth and incorporated well. Avoid a food processor as the ingredients will mash and there will be none of the well-known chunks left in the dressing. Let the sauce sit in the refrigerator for a few hours and allow the flavors to meld together. Or, serve right away.
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FAQs
Russian dressing has a more bold and sometimes spicier taste due to the addition of horseradish.
This dressing is a combination of mayo and ketchup or tomato paste, relish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice or vinegar.
This dressing can be made keto-friendly using ingredients that have no added sugars, especially the ketchup.
This recipe was first created in an area in New York referred to as the ‘Thousand Islands’, hence the name!
What to Serve with Thousand Island Dressing
The real question is what CAN’T you serve it with? Much like a Spicy Sriracha Mayo, this flavor-packed sauce pairs well with a TON of dishes.
It works as a dip with Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer French Fries, or Baked Potato Wedges.
Treat it as a sauce for this Reuben in a Bowl, these Maryland Crab Cakes, or Crispy Zucchini Fritters.
And of course, use it as a salad dressing! You can even swap out the honey mustard in this Chicken Cobb Salad.
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Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise*
- ¼ cup sour cream*
- 3-4 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 2 tablespoons sweet onion minced
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine And Whisk: Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until well combined.¾ cup mayonnaise*, ¼ cup sour cream*, 3-4 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons sweet relish, 2 tablespoons sweet onion, 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 clove garlic, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Store or Serve: Keep in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours for the best flavor. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Ingredients: Use a plant-based mayonnaise, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce if needed.
- Relish: Use sweet relish to balance out the tanginess of the dressing.
- Chill: Allowing the dressing to sit in the fridge for at least a few hours gives the flavors a chance to come together.
- Prep-Ahead: This sauce is best when prepared up to 24 hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if using fresh garlic, or 1 month if garlic powder was used. Freezing is not recommended as separation will occur.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
