Thousand Island dressing is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment that instantly elevates salads, sandwiches, and burgers. With its signature pink color and rich flavor, this classic dressing has been a favorite in American kitchens for decades. It’s versatile, easy to make, and packed with personality, the perfect finishing touch that turns simple dishes into something special.
The name “Thousand Island” is said to come from the region between the United States and Canada where it was first created, and it’s been a staple ever since. The base of the dressing is typically mayonnaise and ketchup, which combine for a creamy texture and vibrant color. From there, ingredients like finely chopped pickle relish, vinegar, onion, and a touch of sugar are added to build layers of flavor. The result is a perfectly balanced dressing that’s tangy, slightly sweet, and rich with a hint of sharpness.
Thousand Island dressing is most famous as the finishing touch on a classic Reuben sandwich, but its uses go far beyond that. Drizzle it over a crisp green salad, spread it on burgers or sandwiches for extra flavor, or use it as a dipping sauce for fries and vegetables. Its creamy, zesty profile pairs beautifully with everything from grilled meats to fresh seafood, and it’s especially good as a topping for shrimp cocktails or as a sauce for homemade burgers.
What makes this dressing so beloved is how easy it is to customize. Add a pinch of paprika for warmth, a splash of hot sauce for heat, or a bit of minced garlic for depth. Because it’s so quick to prepare, you can whip it up fresh whenever you need it and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Classic, versatile, and full of flavor, Thousand Island dressing is the kind of condiment that deserves a permanent place in your fridge. Once you try it homemade, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought version.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise use your favorite brand
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish.
- Add white vinegar, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This dressing is like a party in my mouth! So good!
I totally agree! This dressing is delish! I put it on everything now.
I dunno, I think thousand island should have more kick. This is too bland for me.
Just perfect! Reminds me of my childhood!
Super easy and tastes just like the one from the restaurant. Will definitely make again!
My kids loved it! I added a dash of hot sauce for some spice. Yum!
That’s awesome! Hot sauce is a great addition! My kids are picky, so it’s good to know they liked it!
Wait, hot sauce? Isn’t that a bit weird for Thousand Island? I don’t know about that…
Tastes great but what is the deal with the name? Why ‘Thousand Island’? Confusing!
I always wondered that too! Some say it was named after a place, but who knows? Either way, it’s delicious! 🌟
Yeah, this was okay but I prefer ranch dressing instead. 🤷♂️
Ranch is good too, but have you tried it with fries? 😋
I messed it up too much mayo. Next time I try less mayo maybe.
Less mayo sounds like a good idea! I used too much once too, and it was like mayo soup. 😂