In less than 5 minutes, you can make a jar of Thousand Island dressing that is better than any store-bought variety.
With only a few simple ingredients, this homemade dressing is so easy.
Thousand Island dressing is a favorite and one I’ve loved since I was a kid
So, what is Thousand Island dressing? This dressing is named for the Thousand Islands region, which is located between Canada and the US on the east coast near New York. This creamy dressing has a bit of sweetness (from sugar) and some tang. The color comes from ketchup (or tomato paste) while vinegar adds some zing.
- It’s so easy to make, ready in about 3 minutes.
- Homemade Thousand Island dressing tastes so much better than bottled dressing (with fewer additives and preservatives).
- It uses ingredients you likely have on hand.
- It’s a great addition to burgers too.
Ingredients for Thousand Island Dressing
Creamy Base – Sour cream and mayonnaise are the base of this dressing. You can replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
Tang – Vinegar and ketchup give this dressing a little tangy zing.
Sweetness – Sugar and sweet pickle relish balance the tang in this dressing.Dill pickle relish is great too.
Variations
- Add some lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, finely chopped black olives, garlic, or horseradish to change the flavor profile.
- Swap ketchup for chili sauce or tomato paste. Add a little smoked or sweet paprika.
- Make it low-carb by swapping the sugar for sweetener and the relish for finely diced dill pickles.
Tips & Serving
- Homemade Thousand Island dressing will keep up to a week in a container with a tightly fitted lid or a jar (as long as your sour cream is fresh). A mason jar is the easiest option.
- Thin it out with milk or buttermilk if desired.
- Serve it over a tossed salad or a classic wedge salad or as a veggie dip. (We love it in our Big Mac salad too!).
- Use it as a secret sauce on hamburgers, Reuben sandwiches in place of Russian dressing or wraps.
- Serve it as a dip for French fries or other favorite appetizers.
Our Favorite Homemade Dressings
Did you make this Thousand Island Dressing? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
