How To Make Thousand Island Dressing From Scratch
You can make Thousand Island dressing from scratch in just minutes, and once you do, you’ll never want store-bought again. It’s creamy, tangy, and just a little bit sweet.
Looking for more homemade dressings? Try my Tangy Mustard, Dill, or Vegan Italian.
Introduction
This iconic dressing gets its name from the Thousand Islands region — a stunning 50-mile stretch of 1,864 islands scattered along the St. Lawrence River between the U.S. and Canada. Once a retreat for the elite, the area became known for this special sauce, invented aboard a steam yacht by chef Oscar Tschirky.
The dressing gained fame when George Boldt, the yacht’s owner, added it to the menu at his famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. While Tschirky’s original recipe included a hard-boiled egg, my version skips it for simplicity — and it seems most modern recipes do too.
Why This Recipe Works
- It takes just minutes to make and doesn’t require any cooking — just mix and chill.
- It uses everyday pantry staples like mayo, ketchup, and relish for maximum convenience.
- It’s ultra-creamy and flavorful with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- It’s customizable to your taste so you can tweak the sweetness, tang, or heat.
- It’s far healthier than store-bought because you control the ingredients, including sugar and preservatives.
Ingredients For Thousand Island Dressing
You likely already have everything you need to whip up a batch of this classic dressing.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base — homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a little bite and texture to balance the creaminess.
- Ketchup: Gives the sauce its pink hue and tomato tang.
- Sweet Relish: Contributes sweetness and texture.
- Dill Relish: Not traditional, but I love the tang it brings.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavor and adds acidity.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds subtle warmth — regular paprika works too.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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Variations or Substitutions
- Add a hard-boiled egg either finely chopped or blended for a nod to the original version.
- Swap ketchup with tomato sauce for a different tomato base.
- Use vegan mayo to create a plant-based version.
- Add heat with hot sauce or horseradish for a spicy kick.
- Adjust the sweetness by using only sweet or dill relish depending on your preference.
How To Make Thousand Island Dressing
Gather your ingredients and follow these easy steps to make this creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Combine ingredients:
Place all ingredients in a mason jar, except relishes.
- Blend until smooth:
Blend together with an immersion blender. Add relishes, and whisk together until fully combined.
- Taste and adjust:
Taste the dressing and adjust ingredients to suit your preferences.
- Chill before serving:
For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Not quite. While similar in flavor, Thousand Island dressing contains different ingredients and a distinct balance of sweet and tangy.
Yes! It’s perfect on burgers, sandwiches, and especially Reubens.
Stored properly in an airtight container, it will last up to 10 days.
Absolutely — just add hot sauce, cayenne, or horseradish for extra kick.
No. You can adjust the ratio or leave one out depending on your taste.
Serve
This dressing is as versatile as it is delicious. Beyond salads, it’s incredible on burgers, especially Reubens, and makes a stellar sandwich spread. Try it on roast beef with Swiss and shredded lettuce on a croissant — it’s a combo I still crave from my time working at an inn in the Poconos.
Use it as a dip for fresh veggies or fries, drizzle it over boiled dinners like corned beef and cabbage, or serve it as a substitute for tartar sauce with fish.
Expert Tips
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or your favorite hot sauce to increase the heat.
- Use it as a dip: Serve with fresh veggies, fries, or fried appetizers for a flavorful snack.
- Adjust the consistency: Stir in a splash of pickle juice if the dressing is too thick.
- Store in the fridge: Keep in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 10 days, shaking or stirring before using.
- Make it vegan-friendly: Swap the mayo for a plant-based alternative to create a vegan version.
Thousand Island Dressing
Equipment
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow onion finely diced
- 1 tbls sweet relish
- 1 tbls dill relish
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Combine IngredientsPlace all ingredients, except relishes, in a mason jar.
- Blend Until SmoothBlend together with an immersion blender. Add relishes, whisk until fully combined.
- Taste and Adjust (Optional)Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Add a touch of lemon juice for extra tang or more relish for sweetness.
- Chill Before ServingFor best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a spicier version.
- Use as a Dip: This dressing makes a great dip for fries, veggies, or even fried appetizers.
- Adjust Thickness: Add a splash of pickle juice if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Storage Tip: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or stir well before using.
- Add a Vegan Twist: Substitute the mayonnaise with vegan mayo for a plant-based version.
This homemade Thousand Island dressing is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s so much better than store-bought and perfect for salads, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Be sure to leave a review and let me know how it turned out for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help!