Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island Dressing is everyone’s favorite in my family, and my homemade version tastes much better than the store-bought one! It takes me under 10 minutes to make it, and I get to use it on salads, sandwiches, for dipping veggie sticks, or to top steaks.

My kids love this dressing with carrot and celery sticks, and my husband loves it on homemade cheeseburgers. I prefer it with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat and drizzled over a juicy steak. No matter how you serve it, this dressing is the perfect salad topper, sandwich maker, and dip. I always add it to my Big Mac salad recipe for a more authentic taste.

The sweet and tangy dressing is often called a special sauce because it resembles McDonald’s Big Mac sauce. I highly recommend trying it on Reuben sandwiches and as a dipping sauce for shrimp. It is both sweet and savory with a bit of a kick, and it pairs well with so many things. It can instantly elevate a dinner, salad, or wrap, and take it from boring to special.

Why you will love this recipe

• The flavor goes with anything: Whether you are serving a salad, veggies for dipping, a ham sandwich, or a juicy steak, Thousand Island has a wide range of flavors that pair well with it.
• It takes minutes: This easy recipe can be made in just a few minutes with ingredients you probably already have.
• You will save money: For under a dollar, you can mix up a whole bottle of this dressing that would cost you $5 or more in the store.
• You can change it: Just by adding or removing one thing, you can change the whole flavor profile to fit whatever dish you make.

What you will need

• Mayonnaise—I prefer a nice creamy mayo like Hellmann’s, but the kids love it with Miracle Whip. You could even make your own mayonnaise for this recipe.
• White vinegar—This is what gives your dressing that extra tanginess that many restaurant dressings lack. White vinegar has the freshest flavor, but apple cider vinegar has a nice taste, too.
• White granulated sugar—This is for the sweet flavor. If you would rather it not be sweet, leave this ingredient out.
• Aromatics and seasoning — Minced fresh yellow onion and garlic will add a bit of spice and texture. Sweet or smoked paprika adds depth and intensifies the color of the dressing.
• Ketchup – This is another ingredient that adds sweetness to the dressing. If you like your dressing more savory, you can use a low-sugar brand.
• Pickle relish – I prefer sweet pickle relish to add sweetness, but you can use dill if you think it is too sweet.
• Lemon juice – For a hint of tanginess and a fresh flavor enhancer.

How to prepare

Mix it all: This is probably the easiest recipe you will ever make because it has only one step. I just mix everything together in a bowl or jar and shake it. Then, cover and refrigerate it.

Expert tip

Sweet or savory dressing

One of the best things about this salad dressing recipe is that I can make it sweet or savory. In my recipe, I use primarily sweet ingredients because my kids love it that way. The sugar, ketchup, relish, and paprika all add to the sweetness of this dressing. However, for those who prefer a more savory version, leave out the sugar, use dill pickle relish, and choose regular or smoked paprika.

Because my family likes it in different ways, I often make two different versions. Changing the type of onion you use can also make a big difference in the flavor. Try a sweet Vidalia onion for an even sweeter sauce, or a red onion for added spice. Whether you like it sweet or savory, this dressing can do both without changing anything. It just depends on what you use it for.

More tips to consider

• After mixing, let the dressing chill in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.
• To make it sugar-free, use honey, agave, or a sugar substitute like Splenda.
• If your dressing is too thin, add more mayo or Greek yogurt to thicken it up.
• You could also boil an egg, peel it, and push it through a sieve or pulse it in your food processor. Then mix it into your dressing to make it thicker and richer.

Fun Fact

Thousand Island dressing was first made by a chef in Boldt Castle in 1894. The castle is in the Thousand Islands area along the St. Lawrence River between Canada and the United States.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• No mayo: Make your dressing healthier using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
• Hot dressing: For an extra kick, add fresh horseradish, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
• Add texture: Instead of mincing the onion and garlic, chop them into small pieces. For even more texture, add chopped olives, avocados, or bell peppers.
• Crunchy dressing: If you really want some extra texture, add some flax or sunflower seeds.
• Bacon bits: Add more texture and flavor with some crunchy bacon bits.
• Make it cheesy: For cheese lovers, add some shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan. 
• Vegan: For a vegan dressing, use vegan mayonnaise.

Serving suggestions:

Although Reuben sandwiches are typically made with Russian dressing, the same sandwich made with Thousand Island is called a Rachel sandwich. Try it, I personally am a big fan. I also like to use this dressing when making pull-apart cheese-and-corned-beef sandwiches or Big Mac Sloppy Joes.

This is also a nice-tasting sauce to mix into pasta salad. For a unique twist, stir a little into my macaroni pasta salad. Thousand Island dressing is always delicious on a salad. I like to pour a little onto a charred wedge of lettuce and eat it that way, or drizzle it over this taco salad. It is also a great dip for veggies, crackers, and chips, as well as chicken wings or nuggets.

How to store:

• Refrigerate: Put this dressing in a sealed bottle or jar and keep it in your fridge for 5 days.   
• Freezing: With mayo in the mix, it is best not to freeze your dressing because it will separate when thawed. 

Frequently asked questions

More homemade dressings to try: