This Thousand Island Dressing recipe is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet classic that brings a nostalgic diner-style flavor to your kitchen. Whether you’re drizzling it over a crisp wedge salad, using it as a spread for burgers and sandwiches, or dunking fries into it, this homemade version has a rich, satisfying taste that’s hard to beat.

If you’re looking for more salad dressing recipes, The Best Blue Cheese Dressing and Homemade Ranch Dressing will make your taste buds happy.

What makes this dressing especially irresistible is how easy it is to make. With a handful of pantry staples and a few minutes of mixing, you’ll have a smooth, velvety dressing that tastes way better than anything from a bottle.

Thousand Island dressing is creamy from the mayo, punchy from the vinegar and mustard, with pops of sweetness and tang from the pickle relish and ketchup. Once you taste it, you’ll want to keep a jar in the fridge for quick lunches, summer salads, or last-minute party dips.

Ingredients to Gather

• Kosher Salt – enhances the flavor of Thousand Island dressing by balancing the sweetness and acidity, bringing out the richness of the other ingredients.
• Mayonnaise – gives the dressing its creamy texture and rich base, helping to blend all the flavors into a smooth, cohesive sauce.
• Chili Sauce – adds a subtle tangy sweetness and a hint of spice to Thousand Island dressing, giving it depth and a signature kick.
• Ketchup – brings a sweet and tangy flavor to Thousand Island dressing, contributing to its signature pink color and balanced taste.
• Onion – adds a mild sharpness and savory depth to the dressing, enhancing its overall flavor complexity.
• Pickle Relish – adds a touch of sweetness and tangy crunch to the dressing, giving it a zesty, textured bite.
• Hard-Boiled Egg – adds richness and a slightly savory, creamy texture to the dressing, making it more hearty and flavorful.
• Freshly Ground Pepper – adds a subtle heat and aromatic depth to the dressing, balancing sweetness with a hint of spice.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this recipe for homemade Thousand Island dressing, I’m guessing you love all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 215,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, photos of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cottage.

I found this recipe years ago in a Food Network magazine and I’ve been using it ever since!

Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup bottle chili sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons minced onion

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish

1/2 hard-boiled large eggs, finely chopped

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Create a paste with the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt by mashing them together with a mortar and pestle.

2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, kosher salt, garlic paste, chili sauce, ketchup, onion, relish, and chopped egg until combined. Season with pepper to taste.

Tips for Making Dressing

• Finely Chop Ingredients – this ensures a smooth, cohesive texture.
• Balance the Sweetness and Tang – adjust the amount of ketchup, relish, or chili sauce to taste.
• Let it Chill – store for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to blend.
• Make it Your Own – experiment with a dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning – a pinch more kosher salt or another dash of pepper can make a big difference.

Salad Toolbox

• Mason Jar Pour Spout Lids for Regular Mouth Mason Jars – spout Mason Jar lids make pouring homemade salad dressings a breeze, keeping your fridge tidy and your dressings fresh with every shake.
• Twist and Pour Salad Dressing Mixer – a twist-and-pour salad dressing mixer lets you shake, blend, and serve your dressings all in one container – no mess, no fuss, just fresh flavor on demand.
• Salad Container for Lunch – salad lunch containers keep your greens crisp and your toppings separate, making it easy to enjoy a fresh, mess-free salad anywhere you go.
• Herb Stripping Comb – an herb stripping comb quickly removes leaves from stems, saving time and making it effortless to add fresh herbs to your salads and dressings.

Storage

Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to one week. Be sure to stir before each use.

Delicious Ways to Use the Dressing

• Salad Dressing – great for wedge or chopped salads.
• Burger Sauce – wonderful on Reubens, Big Mac-style burgers, and patty melts.
• Sandwich or Wrap Spread – a flavorful alternative to mayo.
• Dip – for fries, onion rings, or chicken tenders
• Sauce for Seafood – great for shrimp cocktails or fish tacos.
• Topping for Baked Potatoes – try it, you’ll love it!
• Dressing for Pasta Salads – gives pasta a new twist.

Let me know in the comments if you tried the recipe and what you thought.

Be sure to join the Creating a Cozy Life group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!

I created a pin for you to add to your salad Pinterest board to refer back to the recipe.

You can follow me here on PINTEREST.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!

More Salad Dressings You’ll Love!

• Honey Mustard Dressing
• Lemon Maple Vinaigrette
• White Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Creamy Strawberry Salad Dressing
• Honey French Salad Dressing
• The Best Salad Dressing Recipes