Thousand Island Dressing (Dairy-free)

Thousand Island salad dressing is a wonderful sauce with so many uses.  There are many versions, like Big Mac Sauce, Russian Dressing and Smash Burger sauce, where some include sour cream.  But, this sauce is made without the addition of dairy and is compliant for many special diets.

I love this sauce on any garden and wedge salads or any salad that can stand up to the thick, rich texture, like this Kale BLT Salad.  It also makes a phenomenal dip for Corned Beef Meatballs and to top a corned beef sandwich made with Low-carb Sandwich Thins.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Easy homemade salad dressing – simply mix 7 ingredients together in a bowl and it’s done!
• Special diet friendly – the ingredients are compliant with many diets including keto, Whole30, paleo and low-FODMAP diets
• Pantry staples – this recipe calls for ingredients that are probably already in your pantry and fridge.  And, it tastes so much better than the store-bought version.
• Versatile – use it as a dipping sauce, dress salads, on burgers, dipping for fries and so much more
• Customizable – there are many variations to customize your own recipe.  See my list of delicious and creative variations, below.

What is Thousand Island dressing?

Also written as 1000 Island Dressing, it’s a classic American recipe with a mayonnaise and ketchup base.  It’s light, tangy and creamy with a slight tomato flavor and a touch of sweetness.  It’s used in a variety of ways:  to top salads, burgers, sandwiches and it makes a great dip for pretty much anything.

Origin of Thousand Island dressing

While there are a few theories about the origin, most agree that it appeared in the late 19^th to early 20^th century in the Thousand Islands region between the United States and Canada in New York.  It is suggested that the recipe became famous at a restaurant called The Thousand Islands Inn, where it was served and also bottled and sold.

Thousand Island dressing vs Russian dressing

The two recipes are very similar, if not identical.  The main ingredient that differentiates the two is the addition of horseradish in the "Russian" version (which actually isn't a Russian recipe, but that's another story).  It’s spicier and less sweet than Thousand Island, which often includes sweet relish and added sweetener.

If you have a recipe that calls for Russian dressing, this makes the best and closest Russian dressing substitute.

Is this a low-FODMAP dip and salad dressing?

Yes – this is a great low-FODMAP salad dressing and dip.  Many recipes call for the addition of chopped or grated onion, which is eliminated here.  All ingredients are suitable for a low-FODMAP diet but be sure you use a ketchup that is FODMAP-friendly.

If you find that paprika triggers IBS symptoms, feel free to leave it out.

Is this a keto salad dressing?

Yes, this is absolutely a keto Thousand Island recipe.  In fact, it may be the best salad dressing for keto due to its high fat content.

Be sure to use a low-carb ketchup, a keto-friendly mayo (most are) and dill relish, rather than sweet to keep the carb content low.

Ingredients

What is in Thousand Island dressing?  Remarkably simple ingredients you probably have on hand already.  Some are optional, but I like to add them because they really enhance the flavor.  Just the first three ingredients can be used to make a 3 ingredient Thousand Island.

• Mayonnaise – the creamy base of the recipe. I like to use Primal Kitchen Avocado Mayonnaise.
• Ketchup – adds savory flavor and color.  For low-carb keto and Whole30, be sure to use a sugar-free ketchup.
• Pickle relish – use dill relish for low-carb keto and Whole30 or sweet relish if you’re okay with a few extra carbs. I like to use dill relish simply because I'm not a sweet relish fan.
• Lemon juice – creates a bit of tang which is a nice contrast to the creamy texture and flavor.
• Sweet paprika – adds color and depth of flavor
• Sweetener – optional if using sweet relish.  I like to use Swerve Confectioners as a sugar alternative because it blends and dissolves well.  Powdered stevia is also a good option.  If using erythritol, it may not dissolve easily and can be a little gritty. Eliminate for Whole30.
• Black pepper – adds earthiness and a hint of spice

Instructions

Making homemade veggie dip and dressing couldn’t be easier:

Place all ingredients into a medium sized bowl.

Mix until thoroughly incorporated.

How to use

There are a myriad of uses for this versatile recipe. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Top your salad - drizzle (or heap) on your favorite salad
• Sandwich spread – use in place of regular mayo
• Burger sauce – slather on your next burger.  After all, this is essentially Big Mac secret sauce and is a fabulous smash burger sauce recipe.
• Dip – this recipe is kind of magical - you can dip anything in it!  Add it to veggie platters, dunk BBQ wings, chips, crispy fries and so much more.

How to store

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight jar for up to a week.

Variations

• Healthy Thousand Island – make a Thousand Island without mayo and use your favorite Greek yogurt instead.  Replace all or most of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce the fat and calorie content without sacrificing the creaminess.  Or, consider using light mayo instead of full-fat.
• Three Ingredient Thousand Island – make the super-easy version and only use the mayonnaise, ketchup and relish. Those three are the heart of this recipe and are delicious without any other ingredients.
• Vegan Thousand Island dressing – choose a vegan-friendly mayonnaise or use your favorite dairy-free Greek yogurt
• Add herbs – try a couple pinches of dill, tarragon and chives
• Spicy – add horseradish, finely chopped jalapeno, canned green chilis or your favorite hot sauce, such as Tapatio or Sriracha
• Add egg – finely chop a boiled egg to add more texture and savoriness
• Include onion and garlic – grate fresh onion and add a dash of garlic powder (omit for low-FODMAP). For low-FODMAP, use chopped chives or the green part of a green onion.
• Make it cheesy – add grated parmesan
• Savory – add ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Use preserved lemon paste or puree – replace the fresh lemon juice with preserved lemon paste to add fruity floral notes and a hint of umami. Read more about Preserved Lemons and Preserved Lemon Puree in my Ingredient Spotlight.

FAQ

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