Why drive to the store to buy Thousand Island dressing that’s loaded with chemicals, additives, and preservatives, when you can make it at home quicker and better? I promise that as soon as you try my easy Homemade Thousand Island Dressing, you’ll wonder why you never made your own. Unlike its store-bought counterpart, my dressing is made with whole ingredients and names you can easily pronounce. Not only that, but the list of ingredients in a homemade salad dressing such as this is a short list as the store-bought versions typically contain a laundry list of chemicals that are added to the dressing to retain shelf life.
Growing up, I always loved Thousand Island dressing and remember my dad always dressing his salads with Thousand Island. To this day, I still love Thousand Island dressing as much as I did when I was a kid. It’s one of my favorite dressings and is similar to my fry sauce recipe although they aren’t exactly the same. My husband is obsessed with this recipe and compares it to In N’ Out Burger’s famous spread that they put on their burgers. Thousand Island dressing is also known as special sauce at other fast food establishments.
My insanely healthy and tangy dressing is perfect over salads, on sandwiches, inside wraps, and my favorite way to eat it is to use it as a dipping sauce for fries or onion rings. The possibilities are endless as this simple yet mouthwatering dressing is tasty on just about anything you can imagine! If you like homemade dressings, then you must try my easy Homemade Ranch Dressing, Red Robin Honey Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing, Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Homemade Italian Dressing recipes!
Homemade Thousand Island dressing contains mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, ketchup, salt, and pepper, and is done in just 3 minutes, making it one of the quickest homemade Thousand Island dressing recipes out there!
Why is it called Thousand Island?
The reason it’s named Thousand Island dressing is due to it originating from the Thousand Islands region which is along the St. Lawrence River between the United States and Canada. According to Wikipedia’s post, a fishing guide’s wife by the name of Sophia LaLonde, created Thousand Island dressing as part of her fisherman husband’s shore dinner.
In 2010, a University of Wisconsin sociologist and his graduate students were determined to find the origin of Thousand Island dressing. Their research found that the story differed among the villages and islands in the Thousand Islands region. They discovered a new origin story in which the original dressing was based on French dressing which is supported by a recipe published in the 11th edition of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook (1965).
What recipes pair best with Homemade Thousand Island Dressing?
Cheese on a Stick (Hot Dog on a Stick Copycat Recipe)
Special Diets
This is a naturally gluten free and low carb recipe. If you need a vegan recipe, use vegan mayo (Vegenaise).
Ingredients in Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Mayonnaise. Creamy and thick mayo gives this dressing the texture and structure you’re so used to. For vegan, use Vegenaise mayo.
Ketchup. Ketchup gives this recipe the orange color you’re familiar with when you think of Thousand Island dressing.
Relish. For the best Thousand Island dressing flavor, use sweet pickle relish.
Salt. Salt provides flavor and seasoning in the salad dressing.
Pepper. High quality freshly cracked black pepper tastes best although regular black pepper can be used. Black pepper is packed with antioxidants and according to Healthline’s post, may benefit your brain and improve blood sugar levels.
How to make the best Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
STEP 1: In a medium bowl or in a Mason jar, whisk (or shake, if using a Mason jar) the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, ketchup, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
STEP 2: Pour into a mason jar or lidded container and chill in the fridge for up to one week.
STEP 3: If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Storage and Freezer Tips
You can chill any leftovers in a Mason jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. I don’t recommend freezing anything containing mayonnaise as freezing it will destroy the texture. Mayonnaise is an emulsion and should not be frozen as the cold temperature will compromise its creamy texture. This recipe can easily be modified to increase or decrease the quantity.
More recipes you can’t live without!
Red Robin Honey Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing
Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Doritos Taco Salad with Creamy Dressing
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Homemade Thousand Island Dressing, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this dressing recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this dressing recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ c mayonnaise for vegan, use Vegenaise
- ½ c sweet pickle relish
- ¼ c ketchup
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp freshly cracked pepper about 10 twists
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or in a Mason jar, whisk (or shake, if using a Mason jar) the mayonnaise, relish, ketchup, salt, and pepper.
- Pour into a Mason jar or lidded container and chill in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Nutrition (per serving)
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