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This creamy, sweet and tangy Thousand Island dressing is quick and easy to make and perfect for dressing salads or serving it as a dip. Made with a mayo and ketchup base it contains no added sugar and is a delicious alternative to store-bought.
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Thousand Island is one of my favorite sauces, and my homemade version means that I can ditch the store-bought! This thousand island dressing recipe is so flavorful and super easy to make with no added sugar or preservatives.
Be sure to check out my homemade and healthier versions for avocado crema and spinach artichoke dip.
Thousand Island Dressing Ingredients
- Mayonnaise and Ketchup
- Pickle Relish
- Hard Boiled Egg
- Onion
- Parsley
- Lemon Juice
- Smoked Paprika, Salt and Pepper
How to Make Thousand Island Sauce
- Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, egg, onion, parsley, and lemon juice and seasonings in a mixing bowl and blend well.
- Taste and season the thousand island dressing with salt and pepper as needed.
- Add more chopped pickle and lemon juice as desired.
How long does it keep?
This homemade thousand island dressing can be served immediately but tastes even better if refrigerated in a covered container for 12 to 24 hours. It will keep for about 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Because it contains mayonnaise, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than two hours.
What does Thousand Island dressing go with?
I like to use this dressing to liven up a salad like this Chef’s Salad, use as a sandwich spread or as a dip for chips, fries, and appetizers. It’s a great alternative to Russian dressing on a Rueben’s sandwich and great on turkey or chicken burgers.
Why make homemade Thousand Island Dressing?
- Healthier: This thousand island recipe has no added sugar or processed ingredients and preservatives.
- Cheaper: It’s way cheaper to make your own dressings. Most of the ingredients are shelf-stable, so you are able to make several batches with the things you do need to buy.
- Quick: It takes less than 10 minutes to make this sauce. You have no excuses!
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled. It is so much zingier and will give your dressing so much more flavor.
- Check that your smoked paprika isn’t stale if you’ve had it in the cupboard for a while. Rub a little between your fingers, if it doesn’t release an aroma, it’s time to buy some more.
- I used full fat mayo for this recipe which is richer in flavor. You can use a low or non-fat variety if you prefer.
Salads To Dress With This Sauce
Thousand Island Dressing
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoon sweet pickle relish or finely chopped pickle
- 1 hard-boiled egg, minced or pressed through a sieve
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- 2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, egg, onion, parsley and lemon juice and seasonings in a mixing bowl and blend well. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Add more chopped pickle and lemon juice as desired.
- You can serve the dressing immediately, but it tastes even better if refrigerated in a covered container for several hours. It will keep for about 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
TIPS & NOTES
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled. It is so much zingier and will give your dressing so much more flavor.
- Check that your smoked paprika isn’t stale if you’ve had it in the cupboard for a while. Rub a little between your fingers, if it doesn’t release an aroma, it’s time to buy some more.
- I used full fat mayo for this recipe which is richer in flavor. You can use a low or non-fat variety if you prefer.
NUTRITION
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Greetings from Canada, I made your recipe and it is amazing. Love to make my own dressings, and this one will be a keeper.
This was so much better than store-bought!! Saving!
I love thousand island dressing. I don’t know why I’ve never made it. Definitely trying this
I have always wanted to make my own salad dressing, and this one looks like a winner! Definitely making this. Bookmarked for later, thanks for the recipe 🙂
This dressing is so creamy and yum. Never tried making it at home ever. Thanks for your lovely recipe. My weekend definitely needs a try.
Homemade dressings are always so, so much more delicious than store-bought. There really is such a HUGE difference! Thousand Island dressing is my dad’s all-time favorite, and now I can make my own for him – with no added sugar or other (ahem …) “questionable” ingredients!