Thousand Island Dressing

Original Dressing Recipe and Newer Version

Real Restaurant Salad Dressings


As with many recipes (if not most), a Thousand Island Dressing Recipe has many variations.

This salad dressing is a variation of Russian salad dressing (which often contains yogurt and more chili sauce or ketchup).

This delicious salad dressing is not only used on salads, but it is excellent as a vegetable dip.

Often people use it as a sandwich spread, as well.

Some people have told me the name of the dressing is because the tiny pieces of pickle (or pepper) makes it look like there are a thousand little islands in the dressing. I don't believe that is where the name came from.

From what I have read, a lady by the name of Sophia LaLonde invented it about 1910. Mrs. LaLonde lived in the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York. So I believe the salad dressing is named after that region.

There are two recipes for Thousand Island on this page. The first is as close to the original version as I know (Mrs. LaLonde's recipe).

The second is one that has been used at the restaurant for many years and is a little more like most recipes for this dressing today.

But neither recipe is "bright" orange, as you often see in grocery stores today.


Original Thousand Island Dressing


Preparation time: 20 minutes. Makes 1 quart

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs, hard boiled, peeled, cooled and chopped well
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
  • 1 quart mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup chopped black olives
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

 

Instructions:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together (or use a spatula) the chopped eggs, Worcestershire, sugar, vinegar, cloves, mayonnaise, relish, olives and red pepper until well blended
  • Pour into a container, refrigerate and serve chilled


1000 Island Dressing Recipe # 2


Preparation time: 15 minutes. Makes approximately 40 servings (2 tablespoons each)

(For carb counters, each serving of 2 tablespoons is about 2 carbs)

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 quart mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water or milk
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup bottled chili sauce (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickles, finely chopped (or use pickle relish)

 

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl
  • Pour into a container and refrigerate



Enjoy your Thousand Island Dressing as a sandwich spread, a dip with veggies or on a salad or ...as I was first introduced to it (many years ago), on a wedge of iceberg lettuce. (The “wedge” is back, of course). :-)

Donna



"The embarrassing thing is that the salad dressing is outgrossing my films."

Paul Newman