Best Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
For any green salad, this Best Homemade Thousand Island Dressing is creamy, tangy, and made with simple pantry ingredients. It’s delicious drizzled over a classic shrimp louie salad, spread on burgers, or layered onto a warm Reuben sandwich for that signature savory flavor everyone loves. Easy to make and better than store-bought, this classic dressing belongs in every fridge!
Creamy, sweet, tangy, and packed with classic flavor—homemade 1000 Island Dressing is so delicious made from scratch. This old-fashioned dressing comes together with simple pantry ingredients and tastes so much fresher than store-bought. Use it on burgers, Reuben sandwiches, crisp green salads, shrimp louie salad, wraps, or even as a dip for fries and veggies. It’s rich, flavorful, and the perfect make-ahead dressing to keep in the fridge for easy lunches and entertaining.
Lindy recently gave this recipe a 5-star! “Very delicious!”
What is Homemade Thousand Island Dressing?
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing is a creamy classic dressing typically made with mayonnaise, ketchup or chili sauce, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and seasonings. Known for its sweet and tangy flavor, it’s often served on salads, burgers, and the famous Reuben sandwich. Making it from scratch allows you to adjust the flavor and texture exactly how you like it, with fresh ingredients and no preservatives.
What is the history of 1000 Island Dressing?
Thousand Island Dressing is believed to have originated in the Thousand Islands region along the St. Lawrence River between New York and Ontario, Canada, in the late 1800s. This creamy, sweet, and tangy dressing became popular among fishing guides, river communities, and wealthy summer visitors vacationing in the area. Traditionally made with mayonnaise, chili sauce, relish, and seasonings, Thousand Island Dressing remains a classic favorite for salads, burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
- Creamy, sweet, tangy, and full of classic old-fashioned flavor.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients in just minutes.
- Perfect for salads, burgers, Reuben sandwiches, wraps, and dips.
- Better than store-bought with fresh homemade taste.
- Easy to make ahead and keep in the fridge for the week.
- A nostalgic family recipe—this was my Aunt Lillian’s recipe!
- Delicious for entertaining, summer meals, and everyday lunches.
Ingredients Needed for Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
You only need a handful of simple pantry ingredients to make this creamy, sweet, and tangy homemade dressing:
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds bold flavor.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: For seasoning and balance.
- Mayonnaise: Creates the rich and creamy base.
- Chili sauce: Adds classic old-fashioned flavor and subtle sweetness.
- Ketchup: Gives the dressing its signature color and tang.
- White vinegar: Brightens the dressing with acidity.
- Onion: Finely minced onion adds texture and savory flavor.
- Sweet pickle relish: Brings sweetness and the classic Thousand Island taste.
How to Make Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk together until smooth, creamy, and fully combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding extra pepper or relish if desired.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend together.
Tips and Substitutions for Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
- Use chili sauce instead of extra ketchup for a richer, more classic old-fashioned flavor.
- For a sweeter dressing, add a little extra sweet pickle relish.
- Prefer more tang? Add an extra splash of white vinegar or lemon juice.
- Finely grate the onion if you want a smoother dressing texture.
- Add chopped hard-boiled egg for a more traditional deli-style Thousand Island dressing.
- Swap Greek yogurt or sour cream for part of the mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of paprika or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Use dill pickle relish instead of sweet relish for a less sweet variation.
- This dressing is delicious as a dip for fries, vegetables, or shrimp.
- Serve on burgers, Reuben sandwiches, wraps, salads, or a classic shrimp louie salad.
Serving Suggestions for Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
This creamy homemade Thousand Island Dressing is delicious served on crisp green salads, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and classic Reuben sandwiches. It also makes a flavorful dip for fresh vegetables, fries, or shrimp.
For entertaining, serve this dressing alongside an Epic Shrimp Louie Salad Board loaded with greens, shrimp, eggs, tomatoes, avocado, and fresh toppings for a beautiful crowd-pleasing meal. The sweet and tangy flavor pairs perfectly with seafood and makes any salad board feel extra special.
Storage Tips
- Store the dressing covered in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator.
- Homemade Thousand Island Dressing will keep well for about 3–4 days.
- Stir before serving, as some separation may naturally occur.
- Do not freeze, as the creamy texture may separate after thawing.
More salad dressing recipes to try:
- Sweet Maple Vinaigrette
- Best Irish Pub Salad Recipe (with Taragon Dressing)
- Pineapple Salad Dressing
- Caesar Salad Dressing (no mayo)
- Green Goddess Dressing (Dip)
- Orange Juice Salad Dressing
- Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
Get the Recipe:
Best Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 4 Tbsp. ketchup
- 3 tsp. white vinegar
- 3-4 Tbsp. onion, finely minced
- 2 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth, creamy, and fully combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding extra pepper or relish if desired.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend together.
- Serve on salads, burgers, Reuben sandwiches, wraps, or as a dip.
Notes
Sandy’s Tips:
- Use chili sauce instead of extra ketchup for a richer, more classic old-fashioned flavor.
- For a sweeter dressing, add a little extra sweet pickle relish.
- Prefer more tang? Add an extra splash of white vinegar or lemon juice.
- Finely grate the onion if you want a smoother dressing texture.
- Add chopped hard-boiled egg for a more traditional deli-style Thousand Island dressing.
- Swap Greek yogurt or sour cream for part of the mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of paprika or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Use dill pickle relish instead of sweet relish for a less sweet variation.
- Storage: Dressing will keep in fridge or up to 3-4 days. Store in covered or airtight container or jar in the fridge.
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Very delicious! The recipe indicates 8 servings. Can you tell me what amount is considered a serving?
Yes – this recipe is more like 12-14 servings (about 2 Tbsp per serving). Thanks for checking!
Going to try this! It looks delish!
I’m older than dirt, and a life long resident of the SF. Bay Area, retired Dietitian and chef. As such, I’ve been making my own “Louie” (aka 1000 Island) dressing for 60+ years! Just wanted to say, your recipe is phenomenal! This is my favorite meal to make, (I prefer crab, though), so I’ll have to do it often before it’s too late!!!
I do have one suggestion. Blanch, and steam some asparagus, cut into bites, & add to your veggies! Purple onions too, if you haven’t already! It’s a winner!
Thousand Islands Dressing originated in the Thousand Islands region of NYS. A section of the St. Lawrence Seaway that borders NYS and Ontario Canada. It was a favorite concoction created for sorts fishermen and women who enjoyed it on these fishing expedition where camp style lunches or dinners were served. I believe originally it was referred to as ‘Rita’s Sauce.’ A copy of her original recipe may be found at The Thousand Islands Museum in Clayton NY. This area was a summer playground for the mega wealthy not unlike Newport, RI. Many of the Islands mansions and posh hotels no longer exist, but there are a few left., Singer Castle being one. I’m looking forward to trying this version. The original called for hard boiled egg yolks, I’m sure used as a thicker. And yes, I’d use Chili Sauce rather than Ketchup as it contains less sugar. The chili sauce I use to make cocktail sauce by adding a lot of horseradish and squeeze of lemon juice, that’s it.
I’d encourage folks to look up the region. It has a fascinating history. On Wellsley Island there is a village of beautiful gingerbread cottages that are far more elegant than Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.
Can’t wait to try it!!!
What kind of chili sauce?
You can use whatever brand you choose! It’s normally by the ketchup in the grocery store.
Chili sauce is usually found next to “Cocktail” sauce. HTH!
Thanks for sharing! Could I use apple cider vinegar?
Hi there, you could try it. I’ve only used white vinegar for this recipe though :)
This looks so good! What a great way to make something simple more special and delicious!
Why do you need to use this within 2 days? Would love to keep on hand in place if my current thousand island.
Yes, you can keep for 4-5 days (if not devoured before then!) HA.
As beautiful as these wood trays are, they are not intended to be used with food. Do you line the tray with something before putting the food on it?
The Shrimp Louie board is gorgeous!
Thanks! Yes, most of my posts explaing the process of seasoning the boards.
Yum. I’ll have to try this! We love reubens and I know I’d love a shrimp louie salad. Cuz I love me some shrimp!!