18 Creamy Thousand Island Dressing Recipes for Every Occasion

Craving that creamy, tangy kick of Thousand Island dressing? Whether you’re drizzling it over a crisp salad, dunking crispy fries, or slathering it on a juicy burger, we’ve got you covered with 18 irresistible recipes. From classic homemade versions to zesty twists, these dressings will elevate any meal. Get ready to fall in love with this versatile condiment all over again—let’s dive in!

Classic Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, tangy dressing is a burger’s best friend—but don’t stop there! Drizzle it over salads or use it as a dunk for crispy fries.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon finely minced white onion
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, and 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon minced onion, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ½ teaspoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. For extra texture, fold in the chopped hard-boiled egg (if using).
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. The dressing thickens slightly as it chills.

The hint of sweetness from the relish and ketchup balances the tangy mayo base, making it irresistibly versatile. Try it on a Reuben sandwich for a next-level twist!

Tip: For a smoother consistency, blend everything except the egg in a food processor for 10 seconds.

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, tangy dressing is a plant-based twist on the classic—perfect for drizzling over salads, burgers, or dipping crispy fries!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup vegan mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper until fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (the dressing thickens slightly as it chills).

The relish adds pops of sweetness against the smoky ketchup and zippy vinegar—no one will guess it’s dairy-free! Tip: For a chunkier texture, swap the relish for finely diced dill pickles and a pinch of sugar.

Spicy Thousand Island Dressing

This zesty twist on classic Thousand Island dressing adds a kick of heat—perfect for burgers, salads, or dunking crispy fries.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp finely minced white onion
• 1 tsp hot sauce (like Tabasco)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tbsp minced white onion, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp salt until fully combined.
3. Drizzle in 1 tbsp lemon juice and whisk again for a bright, tangy finish.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (trust us—it’s worth the wait!).

The smoky paprika and hot sauce give this creamy dressing a sneaky depth of flavor, while the pickle relish keeps it playful. Tip: For extra heat, swap the hot sauce for a dash of cayenne pepper!

Low-Calorie Thousand Island Dressing

Skip the bottled stuff—this lighter homemade version packs all the tangy-sweet flavor without the guilt, perfect for drizzling over salads or dunking crispy veggie sticks.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup unsweetened ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon finely minced white onion
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and unsweetened ketchup until smooth.
2. Stir in the sweet pickle relish, minced white onion, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until fully combined.
3. Season with salt and black pepper to taste (start with ¼ teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper).
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. The dressing will thicken slightly as it chills.

The smoky paprika and tangy yogurt balance the sweetness of the relish, making this dressing crave-worthy yet light enough to enjoy by the spoonful. Tip: For extra creaminess, swap the yogurt with light sour cream—just note the calorie bump!

Homemade Thousand Island Dressing

Skip the bottled stuff—this creamy, tangy Thousand Island dressing comes together in minutes and tastes fresher than anything from the store.

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 1 teaspoon white vinegar until smooth.
2. Stir in 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon minced onion, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (or use immediately for a brighter taste).

The relish and onion add just the right crunch to this classic diner-style dressing—perfect for dunking crispy fries or drizzling over a Reuben sandwich.

Tip: For a smokier twist, swap the ketchup with chili sauce or add a dash of paprika.

Avocado Thousand Island Dressing

This twist on classic Thousand Island swaps mayo for buttery avocado, adding a fresh, vibrant kick to salads or burgers.

Ingredients:

• 1 large ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.
2. With the blender running, slowly add water, 1 tbsp at a time, until the dressing reaches a pourable but creamy consistency (about 2 tbsp total).
3. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld. Stir before serving.

The avocado keeps this dressing luxuriously thick while letting the tangy-sweet flavors shine—perfect for dunking crispy fries or drizzling over a wedge salad.

Tip: For extra texture, fold in an extra 1 tbsp of finely chopped pickles after blending.

Tangy Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, slightly sweet dressing is a crowd-pleaser—perfect for salads, burgers, or dunking crispy fries. It comes together in just 5 minutes with pantry staples!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon finely minced white onion
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, and 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon minced white onion, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ½ teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and a pinch of salt until fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (or use immediately for a brighter tang).

The hint of smokiness from the paprika balances the sweetness, making this dressing way more interesting than store-bought versions. Tip: For a chunkier texture, swap the relish for finely chopped dill pickles!

Sweet and Sour Thousand Island Dressing

This tangy-sweet twist on classic Thousand Island dressing is a crowd-pleaser—perfect for drizzling over salads or using as a dip for crispy fries.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (trust us—it’s worth the wait!).

The vinegar and relish give this dressing a bright, zippy kick that balances the creamy mayo beautifully. Try it on a Reuben sandwich for an extra flavor boost!

Tip: For a chunkier texture, swap the relish for finely diced dill pickles.

Garlic Lovers Thousand Island Dressing

If you adore garlic and crave a bold twist on classic Thousand Island, this creamy, punchy dressing is about to become your new favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp)
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt.
3. Fold in 4 cloves minced garlic until evenly distributed. For a mellower garlic flavor, let the dressing rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

The double hit of fresh garlic and smoky paprika gives this dressing a crave-worthy depth—perfect for dunking crispy fries or slathering on a juicy burger.

Tip: For extra texture, swap sweet pickle relish for finely chopped dill pickles.

Herb-Infused Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, tangy dressing gets a fresh upgrade with a handful of fragrant herbs—perfect for elevating salads, burgers, or dipping fries.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp finely minced fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp finely minced fresh chives
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tbsp chives, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (or up to 5 days).

The bright herbs and smoky paprika add a gourmet twist to this classic diner-style dressing—no one will guess it took just 5 minutes to whip up!

Tip: For extra texture, fold in 1 tbsp finely diced red onion or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Thousand Island Salad Dressing

This creamy, tangy classic is a crowd-pleaser—perfect for drizzling over crisp greens or dunking your favorite veggies. Homemade beats store-bought every time!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon finely minced white 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, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon minced white onion, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until fully combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld (the onion mellows as it chills!).

The relish and ketchup give this dressing its signature sweet-tart punch, while the mayo keeps it luxuriously smooth—ideal for coating crunchy iceberg wedges or layering into a Reuben sandwich.

Tip: For a chunkier texture, swap the relish for finely chopped dill pickles and add a hard-boiled egg!

Quick Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, tangy dressing comes together in minutes and tastes way better than store-bought—perfect for salads, burgers, or dipping crispy fries.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and ketchup until smooth.
2. Stir in the sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For a thinner consistency, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time.

The hint of pickle relish gives this dressing its classic crunch and sweetness, making it irresistible on a Reuben sandwich or as a veggie dip.

Tip: Let it chill for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld—if you can wait that long!

Keto-Friendly Thousand Island Dressing

Skip the store-bought stuff—this creamy, tangy Keto-Friendly Thousand Island Dressing comes together in minutes with pantry staples and packs way more flavor than the bottled version.

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (sugar-free)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
• 1 tbsp finely minced dill pickles
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar-free ketchup until smooth.
2. Stir in the minced dill pickles, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For a thinner consistency, add 1 tsp of water at a time.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

The pickle bits add a satisfying crunch, while the vinegar and spices balance the richness—perfect for drizzling over a crisp wedge salad or as a burger sauce.

Tip: This dressing thickens as it chills, so thin it with a splash of water if using straight from the fridge.

Gluten-Free Thousand Island Dressing

This creamy, tangy dressing is a crowd-pleaser—perfect for salads, burgers, or dipping, and it comes together in just 5 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup gluten-free ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp finely minced white onion
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup gluten-free mayonnaise, 1/4 cup gluten-free ketchup, and 1 tsp white vinegar until smooth.
2. Stir in 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish, 1 tbsp minced white onion, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp salt until fully combined.
3. Taste and adjust salt or sugar if needed. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

The pickle relish and onion add just the right crunch, making this dressing way better than store-bought versions!

Tip: For a smoother texture, blend everything in a food processor for 10 seconds.

Thousand Island Burger Sauce

This creamy, tangy sauce is the secret to upgrading any burger or sandwich—it comes together in minutes with pantry staples!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and white vinegar. Stir until smooth.
2. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Mix well to blend all flavors.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld (or use immediately in a pinch!).

The hint of pickle relish and paprika gives this classic sauce a sweet-savory kick that’s way better than store-bought. Tip: Double the batch—it keeps for up to a week and tastes amazing on fries or as a veggie dip!

Thousand Island Seafood Dressing

This creamy, tangy dressing is a showstopper for salads or a decadent dip for crispy veggies—packed with briny seafood and that classic Thousand Island zing.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 lb cooked lump crabmeat, drained
• 1/2 lb cooked small shrimp, chopped
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika until smooth.
2. Gently fold in crabmeat, shrimp, 2 tbsp parsley, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) to let flavors meld.

The magic here? The smoky paprika and Worcestershire add depth to the sweet seafood, while the Thousand Island keeps it bright and creamy—no one will guess it comes together in minutes!

Tip: For a lighter version, swap half the mayo with Greek yogurt and add an extra squeeze of lemon.

Conclusion

With 18 creamy Thousand Island dressing recipes, there’s a perfect match for every salad, burger, or dip craving! Whether you love classic flavors or bold twists, these recipes make it easy to add a delicious touch to any meal. Try one (or a few!) and let us know your favorite in the comments. Don’t forget to pin this roundup for later—happy cooking!