Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Published 3/13/2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This homemade Thousand Island dressing recipe is so delicious and easy to make, you’ll never go back to buying store-brand again! A classic mixture of mayo, Greek yogurt, ketchup, pickles, and more make this creamy dressing absolutely swoon-worthy.
If you’re a Thousand Island dressing fan, hold on to your seat belts, because this special sauce will change your mind about ever buying the store-bought version! We love Thousand Island dressing here at Fit Foodie Finds because it is so versatile. You can use it on anything from salads (ahem, our crispy chicken salad was quite literally MADE for this dressing 😏), burgers, tacos, a dipping sauce for fried appetizers or raw veggies, and more!
It’s so easy to whip up this classic dressing for any occasion, as it’s ready to serve in a matter of a few minutes. So next time you’re thinking of heading to the store to grab a bottle of Thousand Island, take a look in your pantry and fridge. Chances are, you have everything you need to make your own homemade version that tastes fresher and better than ever.
why we love this homemade Thousand Island dressing
- An easy, budget-friendly option.
- Made with real, fresh ingredients that you actually know and love.
- Super versatile as it can be used on many different dishes.
- Full of delicious creamy goodness!
What you Need to Make Thousand Island Dressing
- Mayonnaise: mayo acts as a rich, creamy base for this dressing.
- Greek yogurt: adds a nice tangy flavor and creamy element to the sauce. Don’t skip it!
- Ketchup: you can’t have Thousand Island dressing without ketchup!
- Yellow onion: onion provides the dressing with a tasty pungent flavor to give it a nice kick.
- Pickles: traditionally, this dressing is used with pickled relish, but we love how it tastes with dill pickles!
- Pickle juice: pickle juice adds a briny, slightly sweet flavor that is just yum! 😀
- Sugar: sugar adds a sweeter taste that balances out the tangy and savory elements.
How to Make Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card for a list of ingredients and instructions.
COMBINE INGREDIENTS
In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, greek yogurt, ketchup, minced yellow onion, pickles, pickle juice, and sugar. Mix thoroughly until combined.
CHILL
Once everything is all mixed together, your homemade dressing should be creamy and smooth. Place it in the refrigerator to allow the dressing to chill and thicken.
SERVE + ENJOY
Now it’s time to enjoy your delicious dressing! Take it out of the fridge and use it as a dressing for salad, marinade for protein, or even as a topping for burgers. Enjoy!
Try our Crispy Chicken Salad Recipe
This crispy chicken salad is breaded with cornflakes (yes, you heard that right!) and tossed with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, almonds, and feta cheese — a perfect landing place for this tasty homemade Thousand Island dressing.
Other Ways to Use Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Who said you ONLY could use this Thousand Island dressing on a salad? Here are some other great dishes that bring the delicious flavor of this dressing to life:
Appetizers to Dip
- Oven-Baked Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Burgers to Sauce
- The Best Homemade Burgers
- Juicy Turkey Burgers
- Ground Chicken Burgers
- Lemon Dill Salmon Burgers
- Black Bean Burger Recipe
Tacos to Top
FAQs
Some say it’s like the lovechild of ketchup and mayonnaise. Others find that it tastes a bit like French dressing with a hint of sweetness.
But really, Thousand Island dressing is what YOU make it — you can customize it however you want! Feel free to add more mayo if you’re into creamier dressings or some chili flakes if you need a spicy kick. Experiment and make it your own!
Thousand Island Dressing is said to have originated in the beautiful Thousand Islands region of New York State at the turn of the 20th century. Legend has it a fishing guide’s wife, Sophie Lalonde, whipped up a delicious combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, and a hard-boiled egg to feed her husband for dinner.
The dressing eventually made its way to the tables of some notable guests, and as word spread about this tantalizing new condiment, it quickly became known as Thousand Island Dressing. It has remained a diner favorite ever since.
Storage
Store any leftover thousand island dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ yellow onion , finely minced
- ⅓ cup pickles , finely minced
- 3 teaspoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients for the Thousand Island Dressing into a bowl and mix to combine.
- Place the dressing in the refrigerator for later if you’re not serving immediately.
- Serve over salads, as a burger sauce or as a dip.
Tips & Notes
- We love this thousand island dressing served over our crispy chicken salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
