With this easy Thousand Island dressing recipe, you can create your own homemade dressing in minutes. Use it on salads, burgers, sandwiches or as a dipping sauce.
Thousand Island dressing isn’t just great on salads, it’s great in all kinds of other dishes from burgers to reubens to turkey sandwiches and more.
See how easy it is to whip up your own delicious dressing in minutes using this simple recipe.
Of all types of salad dressing, Thousand Island is one that is most distinct. It has a great combination of smooth creaminess combined with a strong zing of flavor that makes it beloved by many and called for in so many recipes!
And while you can always grab a bottle from the grocery store, the very best tasting dressing is one you make at home.
The dressing gets loads of flavor from sweet pickle relish, chili sauce (or hot sauce if you prefer) and Worcestershire sauce, plus that extra zing from white vinegar.
Another benefit to making your own dressing, especially if you just need a little bit for a recipe, is that you can make just a small amount of dressing and not end up with a partially used bottle that takes up space in your refrigerator until it’s way past its expiration date and you finally throw it out.
The recipe below makes a couple cups of dressing, but you can easily divide up the recipe and only make one half or one quarter, or even less.
It’s perfect if you want to make a reuben with some leftover corned beef and only need enough sauce for a sandwich or two.
Two of our favorite recipes using this homemade dressing are our Big Mac Salad Recipe and Corned Beef and Cabbage Bites. It also tastes great in our Copycat Big Mac recipe. (Some people actually refer to this as .)
Now it’s time to actually MAKE that Thousand Island! If you try the recipe, please come back and leave a comment letting me know how it turned out and how you used your homemade dressing.
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
Makes: 1 Pint Jar
Serves: 6
Thousand Island Ingredients Needed:
(See recipe card below for quantities and details.)
- mayonnaise
- small white onion, peeled and diced
- sweet relish
- chili sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- white distilled vinegar
- white sugar
- salt
- cracked black pepper
How to Make Thousand Island Dressing:
In a medium bowl, add in mayonnaise, white onion, sweet relish, chili sauce, worcestershire sauce, and vinegar. Whisk well.
Add in sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk well.
Pour into a jar and place in fridge until ready to serve.
Ball Mason Jar Pint Wide Mouth Clear Glass W/Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces
How to Store Homemade Salad Dressing:
Place your dressing in an airtight container (such as a pint jar) and seal well. While most of us keep salad dressings in the refrigerator door, they will keep longer on a shelf in the refrigerator where it’s colder.
Use homemade Thousand Island dressing within one week.
Can I Freeze Leftover Thousand Island Dressing?
While not optimal, you CAN freeze the dressing. To do this, place the dressing in an airtight container or plastic freezer bag and seal well. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Before using, whisk it well to break up lumps. Dispose of any unused portion after a few days.
What’s the difference between Thousand Island Dressing and Russian Dressing?
While they are very similar, Russian Dressing is a bit spicier. To make a Russian Dressing from this recipe you could use horseradish in place of sweet pickle relish and add a bit of hot sauce.
Can I make a Vegan Thousand Island Dressing?
Yes! To make this Thousand Island Dressing recipe vegan, just substitute vegan mayonnaise for regular and use a vegan worcestershire sauce.
How to make gluten free Thousand Island Dressing:
This recipe is gluten free as long as you use a Worstechire sauce that does not contain gluten. Some brands contain barley malt vinegar, which you’ll want to avoid. Lea and Perrins Original sold within the United States is gluten free, but in other countries it may not be.
How to Use Extra Thousand Island Dressing:
Besides using it as a salad dressing or on a sandwich, it makes an excellent dipping sauce for french fries, raw veggies, chicken nuggets and just about anything else you can dip!
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More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes:
Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 peeled and small diced white onion
- 1/2 cup sweet relish
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add in mayonnaise, white onion, sweet relish, chili sauce, worcestershire sauce, and vinegar. Whisk well.
- Add in sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk well.
- Pour into a jar and place in fridge until ready to serve.
Nancy J Lucas says
Try adding chopped hard boiled eggs to it, delish!!!!
Nancy 🙂
Diane Gardy says
I am allergic to whorchesshire sauce (seafood). Can I just add a little salt or do I need something else with it as well?
Chrysa says
You won’t get the same flavor with just salt. You could use a vegan worcestershire sauce.
Katherine Lundin says
I love a hamburger or cheeseburger, with lettuce & tomato slice of onion, and thousand island dressing on it.
Shonda says
What is a serving?
Linda tourond says
This was sooo yummy..thanks
Chrysa says
I’m glad you liked it!!
Jackie says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I’m looking forward to trying it.
crystal camara says
Do you use hot or sweet chili sauce?
Chrysa says
We used hot, but you can definitely use sweet for a more mild taste.