Thousand Island Dressing

This homemade Thousand Island Dressing recipe takes just 5 minutes to throw together. Store-bought dressing, who? Use this delicious twist on the classic “secret sauce” as a dip, sauce, or salad dressing.

I love all things dressings and dips. Any opportunity to dip whatever I’m eating, I’m in! This recipe just gets better the longer it has an opportunity to sit and let all those ingredients get to know each other.

This dressing is fantastic for so much more than a simple mixed salad! When I made this recipe, we dipped absolutely everything we ate in it until it was all gone. Including these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders and smothered all over some classic Reuben Sandwiches. You can also use it as a “secret sauce” for burgers.

What is thousand island dressing?

The beloved secret sauce comes from, no surprise, the Thousand Island region, made of 1864 islands to be exact, along the St. Lawrence river between Canada and the USA.

While there are a few versions of how exactly this recipe came to be, there is a crowd favorite. It’s fabled that a fishing guide’s wife made the condiment for a diner party, which led to actress May Irwin requesting the recipe. No one is sure which origin story is correct, but it sure makes for an interesting recipe!

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise – You can try this recipe for an easy homemade mayo or use a jar from the store.
• Ketchup – Use more or less if you’d like.
• Apple cider vinegar – Wine vinegar or regular white vinegar will work too if that’s what you have.
• Salt & sugar – To taste.
• Onion – I grated the onion for a really fine consistency. Mild onion like white, yellow, or shallot work best.
• Chili powder and hot sauce – Use any type you like best.

How to make thousand island dressing

• Mix the ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk well. While it can be served right away, the flavors get better after they sit together (refrigerated) for at least 1 hour.

That’s it! Homemade dressing is so easy, and so much better for you. Now there’s no excuse to use bottled dressing anymore!

What to serve with thousand island dressing

Give these recipes a try with your fantastic dressing/ dip:

• Cobb Salad
• Fried Pickles
• Potato Skins
• Crispy Baked Salt and Pepper Wings
• Chopped Salad
• Crispy Fried Zucchini
• Pigs in a Blanket
• Sweet Chicken Bacon Bites

How to store leftover dressing

Store your dressing in a sealable bottle or airtight container in the fridge. It’ll last 4 days. That is, if you haven’t eaten it all in the first day!

Looking for more homemade condiments? Try these!

• Homemade Tzatziki
• Sweet and Sour Sauce
• Enchilada Sauce
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
• Easy Homemade Pesto