Sweet, tangy, creamy, and incredibly versatile, this Vegan Thousand Island Dressing is 100% egg and dairy-free and turns everyday meals into something extraordinary!
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What Is Thousand Island Dressing
Thousand Island dressing is a simple American salad dressing and condiment, similar to ‘burger sauce’ and ‘Marie Rose sauce,’ made with a mix of mayonnaise, ketchup (or tomato purée), and finely chopped pickles/sweet pickle relish. Often with flavor-packed extras like lemon juice, paprika, mustard, fresh herbs, and more.
However, whereas the original version contains egg, this vegan Thousand Island dressing recipe uses simple ingredient swaps to make a flavor-packed sauce (loved by vegans and non-vegans alike!) in just minutes with only 6 simple, inexpensive pantry ingredients.
It’s sweet, tangy, creamy, vibrant, and perfect for so much more than salads – like dipping fries, spreading over vegan burgers and sandwiches, and more!
If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy my 5-minute vegan garlic aioli.
Ingredient Notes
Please refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, substitutes, and quantities.
What Could I Add?
- Black pepper
- Paprika (sweet or smoked paprika)
- Vegan Worcestershire sauce (for a tangy, umami boost)
- Spice (cayenne pepper, chili sauce, or hot sauce)
- Mustard (just a little for subtle zing and heat – use fresh or dried mustard powder)
- Chunky add-ins (like finely chopped bell peppers/pimentos, olives, etc.)
- Fresh herbs (like finely chopped parsley or chives)
- Vegan yogurt (for a slightly lighter dip, replace a portion of vegan mayonnaise with plant-based yogurt)
How to Make Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
Step 1: First, juice the lemon and measure out all the ingredients. Then, add all the ingredients to a bowl.
Step 2: Mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined, then taste and adjust any flavor to your liking.
Enjoy the dairy-free Thousand Island dressing immediately, or leave it to chill and the flavors to meld in the fridge for an hour (overnight is even better) first.
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FAQs
While these two dressings are very similar, there are some differences, with Russian dressing usually being made spicier with the addition of horseradish and/or hot sauce.
Traditionally, it’s not, as the recipe uses egg-based mayonnaise. However, it’s so easy to use vegan mayo instead for an equally delicious egg and dairy-free version.
You could try substituting a portion of vegan mayonnaise with dairy-free Greek yogurt, as well as using low-fat and/or reduced-sugar versions of the condiments used in the recipe.
Pro Recipe Tips
- To adjust the consistency: Prefer it a little thinner? Add a little plant-based milk/water to your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust: Taste and adjust any element to your liking. I.e., more lemon for tang, onion, garlic, salt, etc.
- For the best flavor: If you have the time, leave the flavor to meld in the fridge for at least an hour (overnight is even better).
How To Use It
Enjoy vegan Thousand Island dressing in any place you’d use the traditional dressing.
- Slathered over vegan burgers
- In plant-based sandwiches – like a vegan Reuben sandwich, the ultimate vegan BLT, easy vegan breakfast sandwich, etc.
- For dipping fries
- Over salads – leafy green ones and pasta salads
- To make potato salad (like this easy vegan potato salad) or a ‘slaw' like this broccoli slaw
- Over a baked potato
Storage Instructions
Store homemade Thousand Island dressing in an airtight container/jar in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup of vegan mayonnaise
- 2 ½ tablespoons of ketchup
- 2 ½ tablespoons of sweet relish
- 3 teaspoons of minced red onion
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine vegan mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, red onion, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt, and mix thoroughly.
Notes
-
- To adjust the consistency: Prefer it a little thinner? Add a little plant-based milk/water to your desired consistency.
-
- Taste and adjust: Taste and adjust any element to your liking. I.e., more lemon for tang, onion, garlic, salt, etc.
-
- For the best flavor: If you have the time, leave the flavor to meld in the fridge for at least an hour (overnight is even better).
Tina says
Love this thousand island dressing!! It's so delicious and easy to make.
Andrea says
Right?! I love how simple it is to make too!
Andrea says
This salad dressing is the best!