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!
Creamy Thousand Island Dressing
Salad dressing, sauce, or delicious dip… this Homemade Thousand Island can do it all!!
What starts off with a few 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 unhealthy oils.
But not this one. When you make it at home you can control exactly what ingredients go into your sauce.
Not to mention it actually TASTES much better because of the higher quality ingredients.
And even in the worst case scenario, you can have this whipped up and ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes!
Table of Contents
- Creamy Thousand Island Dressing
- Ingredients
- How to Make Thousand Island Dressing
- 17 Simple Salad Dressings e-Book
- FAQs
- Recipe Tips
- What to Serve with Thousand Island Dressing
- Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
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 skip 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 with a hint of molasses and vinegar.
- Vinegar. White wine is recommended, but apple cider vinegar can also be used.
- 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.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic cloves create the best results, but ½-teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted.
How to Make Thousand Island Dressing
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.
1. Combine 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.
Be sure to choose higher quality ingredients for the most flavor.
2. 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.
17 Simple Salad Dressings e-Book
An e-cookbook full of quick vinaigrettes and creamy dressings that are ready in under 5 minutes!
FAQs
What’s the difference between Thousand Island and Russian Dressing?
Russian dressing has a more bold and sometimes spicier taste due to the addition of horseradish.
What’s in Thousand Island Dressing?
This mayo-based salad dressing often includes ketchup or tomato paste, relish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice or vinegar.
Is Thousand Island Dressing keto friendly?
It can be made keto-friendly using ingredients that have no added sugars, especially the ketchup.
Why do they call it Thousand Island Dressing?
This recipe was first created in an area in New York referred to as the ‘Thousand Islands’, hence the name!
Recipe Tips
- Make it vegan. Use a plant-based mayonnaise, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mince it fine. Avoid big chunks of onion.
- Sweet is key. Use sweet relish to balance out the tanginess of the dressing.
- Double it up. Make a big batch with garlic powder and store for up to 1 month.
- Let it rest. Allowing the dressing to sit in the fridge for at least a few hours gives the flavors a chance to come together.
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.
As a dip with Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer French Fries, or Baked Potato Wedges.
As a sauce for this Reuben in a Bowl, these Maryland Crab Cakes, or Crispy Zucchini Fritters.
And of course, as a salad dressing! You can even swap out the honey mustard in this Chicken Cobb Salad.
Tap stars to rate!
5 from 3 votes
Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
This Thousand Island Dressing recipe is flavorful, creamy, and ready in 5 minutes! Mayonnaise, ketchup, sour cream, and relish combine to make the perfect dressing or sauce to add a tangy kick to your favorite dishes.
Yield 10 servings
Prep 5 minutes mins
Total 5 minutes mins
Print Pin Comment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise*
- ¼ cup sour cream*
- 3-4 Tbsp. ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. sweet relish
- 2 Tbsp. sweet onion minced
- 2 tsp. white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- ¼ tsp. paprika
- ¼ tsp. 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 Tbsp. ketchup, 2 Tbsp. sweet relish, 2 Tbsp. sweet onion, 2 tsp. white wine vinegar, ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 clove garlic, ¼ tsp. paprika, ¼ tsp. salt
Store or Serve: Keep in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours for the best flavor. Enjoy!
Tap stars to rate!
5 from 3 votes
Notes
Prep-Ahead Instructions:
This sauce is best when prepared up to 24 hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
Storage Directions:
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.
Recipe Tips:
- Make it vegan. Use a plant-based mayonnaise, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mince it fine. Avoid big chunks of onion.
- Sweet is key. Use sweet relish to balance out the tanginess of the dressing.
- Double it up. Make a big batch with garlic powder and store for up to 1 month.
- Let it rest. Allowing the dressing to sit in the fridge for at least a few hours gives the flavors a chance to come together.
Nutrition
Calories: 136kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 0.4g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 224mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 166IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!
Categorized as:
Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Recipes, Salads, Vegetarian
You May Also Like
Easy Piña Colada Recipe
5 mins
Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups
1 hr
Thai Chicken Meatballs
40 mins
Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad
40 mins
Thanks for
Stopping By!
I’m London! Join me as we cook up nourishing meals for you and your loved ones and learn a few healthy cooking tips and tricks!
Read More About Me