Creamy Easy Thousand Island Dressing

This homemade Thousand Island dressing is creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and full of classic flavor. It is great on burgers, Reuben sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, chopped salads, and as a dipping sauce for fries or roasted potatoes.

Creamy homemade Thousand Island dressing in a glass jar with a spoon drizzle, made with mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and spices in natural light

Velvety smooth with pops of sweet relish and a subtle tang, this homemade Thousand Island dressing delivers bold, balanced flavor in every bite. A simple recipe that tastes anything but basic.

Yield

About 1 cup

Time

5 minutes

Ingredients

3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoon finely minced onion
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise and ketchup. Whisk until fully blended and smooth.

  2. Add the sweet pickle relish, minced onion, white vinegar, sugar, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

  3. Stir until everything is evenly mixed and the dressing looks creamy with small bits of relish and onion throughout.

  4. Taste and adjust the flavor. If you want it sweeter, add a little more sugar. If you prefer it tangier, add a few extra drops of vinegar. For more classic deli-style flavor, let it chill for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

  5. Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Finely mincing the onion helps it blend into the dressing instead of overpowering it. The small onion pieces should add flavor and texture without making the dressing feel harsh.

For a slightly smoother version, use grated onion or very finely chopped shallot.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.

KC Coler, founder and recipe developer behind Saucy Spoon Co

About KC Coler

Hi, I’m KC Coler, the founder and recipe developer behind Saucy Spoon Co. I’m a mom of four with 15 years of restaurant industry experience and more than 16 years of cooking for my own family. I develop and test every original recipe in my North Carolina home kitchen using ordinary grocery store ingredients, realistic budgets, and honest family feedback. My goal is simple: food that works on a real Tuesday night and still tastes worth making again.

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