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Thousand Island Dressing Recipe

Easy Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, tangy thousand island dressing beats any store-bought version! Made with simple pantry ingredients in just 5 minutes, it's perfect for salads, Reuben sandwiches, and burgers. The flavors develop beautifully after chilling overnight.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dressing Base
  • 1 cup mayonnaise high-quality preferred
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion finely minced
Flavor Components
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Glass jar or airtight container

Method
 

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced yellow onion, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, fresh lemon juice, sweet paprika, and kosher salt.
  2. Whisk all ingredients together until completely smooth and well combined, ensuring no streaks of mayonnaise remain.
  3. Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as needed - add more relish for sweetness, more lemon juice for tang, or more salt to enhance flavors.
  4. Transfer the dressing to a clean glass jar or airtight container with a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. For best results, chill overnight for deeper, more complex flavors.
  6. Before each use, give the dressing a good stir as ingredients may separate slightly during storage.

Notes

Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Always use clean utensils when scooping to prevent contamination.
Variations: Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for traditional richness, substitute dill pickle relish for tangier flavor, or mix in a tablespoon of horseradish for extra kick.
Pro Tips: Use real mayonnaise (not miracle whip) for authentic flavor. Mince onions very finely so they blend seamlessly into the sauce. The dressing actually improves in flavor after sitting overnight.