Name: Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Mayonnaise; ½ cup Ketchup; 1 cup Mayonnaise; ½ cup Ketchup; 4 tablespoon Pickles (diced); ¼ g Onion (diced); 1 teaspoon Vinegar; ½ teaspoon Paprika; 1 teaspoon Hot sauce; ½ teaspoon Salt; ½ teaspoon Black pepper (optional); 1 Egg yolk; ⅞ cup Cooking oil; 1 teaspoon Mustard; ¼ Lemon juice; ¼ teaspoon Salt; Sweetener of choice (optional); It's hard to make so small amount of tomato sauce as much we need for a cup of thousand island recipe. We have to make a bigger batch of tomato sauce and use only as much as needed for the amount of mayo we are preparing. We can freeze the rest in batches for next time.; ½ cup Oil; 2 medium Onion; 1 teaspoon Salt; 2 cloves Garlic; 28 oz Tomato sauce; 2 tablespoon Vinegar; 1 teaspoon Paprika; Hot paprika or any other hot pepper to taste; 4 tablespoon Pickles (diced); 4 tablespoon Bell peppers (diced); 4 tablespoon Olives (diced); 1 tablespoon Chives (diced)

What’s the secret to the perfect Thousand Island dressing? Check out this delightful recipe, it’s sure to leave the taste buds dancing!

Jump to Recipe

Thousand island recipes are like its story of origin, a complete mess. We know that it is originated to the region between the US and Canada, called thousand islands but apart from that almost every island that has “Room Enough” for a house has its own story about it.

What’s in the name?

Some say, it’s the invention of a fishing guide’s wife who packed her husband’s lunch with this sauce. The husband shared the sauce with a visiting actress who in turn shared it with the world. Another story line credits the invention of the thousand island recipe to a chef of the Maître d’hôtel of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel who had to improvise a dressing for a salad that went out without one.

Of course, none of these stories has written evidence but they sound much better than simply assigning another sauce to the French and call it French dressing with mayo.

Who cares about thousand islands?

The dressing’s foundation rests on mayonnaise and some tomato-based puree which in its most primitive form could simply be ketchup. Mixing the two together will provide the distinctive pinkish sauce that is widely recognized all across the state’s fast-food restaurants and even beyond.

Outside of the US, nations tend to rename it for something that they can relate more to, like “Rhode Island dressing” in Sweden, “American dressing” in Germany or “Marie Rose Sauce” in the UK.

Swedes must have messed something up quite badly during Geography class but a part of the location of the island, the recipe is pretty much the same.

What’s in the sauce?

Especially because thousand island dressing doesn’t really have a real recipe, apart from being made of mayo and some tomato-based sauce. Finely chopped pickles are generally going with it but apart from that there are a myriad of ingredients that the various restaurants added during the years.

Orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, cream, chili sauce, paprika or Tabasco can all be on the list of ingredients, altering the flavor portfolio dramatically while keeping the color largely intact.

Finely cut onions, pickles, bell peppers, olives parsley, garlic, nuts, or even hard-boiled eggs are popular texture enhancers that are used widely across the tables. We can opt to use them at our convenience without fearing to fall out of the dressing limits.

Whom is thousand islands for?

If we make our own mayo and tomato sauce from scratch then we don’t really have to care for many of these additional ingredients as many of them are already included in the base sauces.

A homemade mayonnaise made from olive oil, mustard and lemon will anchor our condiment firmly on one end of the axis much like an empty boat is anchored on the sea of infinite flavors. Yet, pronounced as it can be, just like empty boats are always waiting for something to be filled up with, to start their journey, so does mayo.

Tomato sauce with slightly caramelized onion and roasted garlic seems like a perfect companion for such journeys. Add a touch of paprika, chili and vinegar, essentially making salsa brava or add green olives to make marinara sauce and it will perfectly fill the void that the mayo boat created.

Be it hastily mixed store bought mayo and ketchup or carefully constructed masterpiece of mayonnaise with tomato sauce, we can be sure that thousand island dressing will help us conquer any difficulty we may face on our journey through the wild flavorless world.

Ingredients

Beginner

1 cup / 240g Mayonnaise
1 cup / 120g Ketchup

Advanced

1 cup / 240g Mayonnaise
1 cup / 120g Ketchup
4 tablespoon / 20g Pickles (diced)
¼ / 25g Onion (diced)
1 teaspoon / 15ml Vinegar
½ teaspoon / 3g Paprika
1 teaspoon / 15ml Hot sauce
½ teaspoon / 3g Salt
½ teaspoon / 1g Black pepper (optional)

Overkill

Mayonnaise

1 Egg yolk
⅞ cup / 200ml Cooking oil
1 teaspoon Mustard
¼ Lemon juice
¼ teaspoon Salt
Sweetener of choice (optional)

Tomato sauce

It’s hard to make so small amount of tomato sauce as much we need for a cup of thousand island recipe. We have to make a bigger batch of tomato sauce and use only as much as needed for the amount of mayo we are preparing. We can freeze the rest in batches for next time.

½ cup / 125ml Oil
2 medium / 150g Onion
1 teaspoon / 5g Salt
2 cloves / 6g Garlic
28 oz / 800g Tomato sauce
2 tablespoons / 30g Vinegar
1 teaspoon / 6g Paprika
Hot paprika or any other hot pepper to taste

Extras to consider

4 tablespoon / 20g Pickles (diced)
4 tablespoon / 20g Bell peppers (diced)
4 tablespoon / 20g Olives (diced)
1 tablespoon / 5g Chives (diced)

How to make Thousand island dressing

Beginner – Advanced

Mix all the ingredients together.

Enjoy!

Overkill

Mayonnaise

For more detailed instructions check: How to make mayonnaise

Break and separate eggs. We will only need the yolks. Get the oil ready by pouring it into a measuring jug. Add the mustard to the egg yolks.
Whisk yolks in a mixing bowl. Pour oil very slowly into the bowl of whisked yolks.
Add the lemon juice and salt. Keep whisking and adding the second half of the oil until the end.

Tomato Sauce

For more detailed instructions check: How to make tomato sauce

Saute the diced onion on high heat until it gets a glassy / translucent look for about 3-5 minutes. Add the crushed garlic and saute until it gets fragrant for about a minute.
Mix in the tomatoes or the pureed tomato and add in the vinegar and/or the optional white wine.
Cook it on low heat for about 5 – 10 minutes or until the sauce gets the desired thickness. Sprinkle in the paprika and optional hot spices then cook it for another minute.

Assembly

Mix all the ingredients together.

Enjoy!

F.A.Q.

What is Thousand Island dressing made of?

Thousand Island dressing is made from a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, finely chopped onion, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and various seasonings.

What can we use Thousand Island dressing for?

Thousand Island dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used in various ways. Some common uses include:
– As a salad dressing: Drizzle Thousand Island dressing over salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables.
– As a dip: Serve Thousand Island dressing as a dip for raw vegetables, chicken nuggets, French fries, or onion rings.
– As a burger or sandwich spread: Spread Thousand Island dressing on burgers, sandwiches, or wraps to add a tangy and creamy flavor.
– As a seafood sauce: Use Thousand Island dressing as a dipping sauce for shrimp, crab cakes, or other seafood dishes.
– As a topping: Add a dollop of Thousand Island dressing on baked potatoes or use it as a topping for grilled meats.

Can we store Thousand Island dressing?

Yes, Thousand Island dressing can be stored. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate it. It can typically be stored for up to one week. However, it’s always a good idea to check the expiration dates of the ingredients used in the dressing and discard it if any of the ingredients have expired.

Can we customize the recipe to suit our taste?

Absolutely! Thousand Island dressing can be customized according to personal preferences. Some possible variations include:
– Adding chopped pickles or capers for extra tanginess.
– Adjusting the amount of ketchup, relish, or onion to achieve the desired flavor balance.
– Incorporating additional seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or hot sauce to enhance the taste.
– Using light or low-fat mayonnaise for a healthier version of the dressing.
Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and quantities until the desired taste and consistency is achieved.

Is Thousand Island dressing gluten-free?

Thousand Island dressing can be gluten-free if the ingredients used are gluten-free. However, it’s important to carefully check the labels of the mayonnaise, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce used in the recipe, as some brands may contain gluten or traces of gluten. To ensure a gluten-free dressing, choose certified gluten-free versions of these ingredients or make homemade versions using gluten-free ingredients.

Can we make Thousand Island dressing without mayonnaise?

Yes, it is possible to make Thousand Island dressing without mayonnaise. Here’s a recipe variation that uses a yogurt-based dressing:
1. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
2. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
This yogurt-based version provides a lighter and tangier alternative to the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing.

Can we make Thousand Island dressing vegan?

Yes, Thousand Island dressing can be made vegan by using plant-based ingredients. Here’s a vegan recipe variation:
1. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of vegan mayonnaise (made from plant-based oils), 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce (check for vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce).
2. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
This vegan version of Thousand Island dressing offers a creamy and flavorful option for those following a plant-based diet.

Can we adjust the consistency of Thousand Island dressing?

Yes, the consistency of Thousand Island dressing can be adjusted to personal preference. If we prefer a thicker dressing, reduce the amount of liquid ingredients such as lemon juice or Worcestershire sauce. Conversely, if a thinner dressing is desired, then add a small amount of water or additional lemon juice to achieve the desired consistency. Adjust the ingredients gradually while mixing until the desired thickness or thinness of the dressing is achieved.

What are some popular variations of Thousand Island dressing?

While the classic Thousand Island dressing recipe is widely used, there are a few popular variations that offer unique flavors. Some examples include:
– Russian dressing: Similar to Thousand Island dressing, but typically excludes the sweet pickle relish and adds horseradish and hot sauce for a spicier kick.
– California dressing: A lighter version of Thousand Island dressing that often includes yogurt or sour cream, avocado, and cilantro for a fresh and creamy taste.
– Louisiana dressing: This variation adds Creole mustard, hot sauce, and Cajun spices for a spicy and zesty twist on the traditional recipe.
– Hawaiian dressing: Combining Thousand Island dressing with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger, this variation offers a sweet and tangy flavor profile.