This Thousand Island Dressing is a smooth, silky, and tangy homemade dressing that makes almost anything special. A perfect match to your colorful salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Better than your favorite store-bought version!
Is it a condiment? Or maybe a sauce? Whatever it is, it tastes absolutely heavenly. If you think making your own dressing is hard, then I have news for you. It only takes a few steps to achieve that wonderful harmony of flavors.
From Roasted Chicken to Greek Salad, jazz-up any plate by adding this heaven-sent mixture on the side or drizzle it all around your food.
One common misconception about dressings is that it is usually unhealthy and has a lot of fat inducing ingredients. This might be true for some store-bought dressings but our Thousand Island Dressing recipe is so natural, you could enjoy your food guilt-free!
What is Thousand Island Dressing?
Have you ever thought about why children detest veggies? Well, maybe the simple, bland taste of these nutritious plants makes it repulsive to children and even to some adults. This is where our glorious dressing comes in.
It adds a Zingy-Zangy-Boom to our basic salads and turns your frowns upside-down. This American favorite dressing is typically made from pickles, mayonnaise, olives, hard-boiled eggs, pimento, and garlic, to name a few. No wonder this humble dressing is the favorite in fast-food restaurants and diners in the U.S.
Thousand Island Dressing Ingredients
Contrary to most beliefs, this homemade thousand island dressing is actually pretty simple to recreate using pantry-friendly items that can be mostly found in every home.
Mayonnaise. You can try my Easy Homemade Mayonnaise HERE.
Onion and Garlic. Use finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Alternatively, you can grate them if you want a finer consistency.
Ketchup. To add color and flavor. Use this to adjust the taste.
Sweet Pickle Relish. For those needed bites in every spoonful.
Lemon or White Vinegar. To give that distinct tanginess to this dressing
Paprika and Hot Sauce. This is if you seek some heat in this condiment. If you want to be a little adventurous, go for it. You’d thank yourself later.
And voila! Just mix and stir everything in a bowl and you can now add this mixture to different kinds of dishes. See below for our tasty recommendations.
Recipe Variations
- For additional creaminess and tang, you may swap lemon juice with sour cream, instead
- Want to bump up the sweetness? Try adding sugar. Start with half a teaspoon and go up depending on your preference.
- Chili paste sounds like a great alternative to hot sauce and paprika.
- Add some extra stuff in this homemade dressing like diced and peeled hard-boiled eggs, minced pimentos, diced black olives, or chives.
What to Serve with Thousand Island Dressing?
Clearly, this Thousand Island recipe pairs well with almost everything. So I have listed down a few specialties I think you might like. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Without further ado, here are my top picks to pair with your thousand island dressing.
- Fried Pickles
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Tossed Salad
- French Fries or Baked Crispy Potato Wedges
- Salmon Burger
- Chef Salad
More Homemade Dressing Recipes to Discover
How to Make Thousand Island Dressing
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion, garlic, ketchup, sweet pickle, lemon juice, paprika, and hot sauce. Whisk together until all the ingredients have been fully combined. Adjust ingredients to suit your taste buds with more vinegar, hot sauce or ketchup. Use at once or store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days. Serve and enjoy!
Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup onion , finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion, garlic, ketchup, sweet pickle, lemon juice, paprika, and hot sauce. Whisk together until all the ingredients have been fully combined.
- Adjust ingredients to suit your taste buds with more vinegar, hot sauce or ketchup
- Use at once or store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
Tips & Notes:
- Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Regina says
The best dressing that I’ve ever tasted. Loved it!
Imma says
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback, stay tuned and have more amazing recipes 🙂
Keli L Wayrynen says
Very tastey recipe. We used it for grilled corned beef and swiss sandwiches. Will definately use this again.
ImmaculateBites says
Great! Thanks for letting me know
Fizza says
I can’t find sweet pickle relish. Any substitutes?
ImmaculateBites says
Hello Fizza! You may leave it out and add more bite to your dressing with either diced and peeled hard-boiled eggs, minced pimentos, diced black olives, or chives.