WITH SUMMER ON THE WAY, IT’S TIME TO START MAKING LIGHTER MEALS AND SALADS ARE OH SO SIMPLE. ADD THIS BEST-EVER THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING TO YOUR RECIPE COLLECTION AND SPICE THINGS UP A LITTLE!
In our quest to stop buying packaged foods, I have started experimenting with salad dressings. You guys, I think I’ve hit this one out of the park! I was looking for a simple, thrifty and delicious recipe for Thousand Island Dressing. I tried several, but none of them really knocked my socks off, you know what I mean? So what’s a girl to do? I made my own! And now I’m sharing it with you! Here’s how to make the best ever Thousand Island Dressing.
The History of Thousand Island Dressing
And then I decided to do a little research as well. After all, most salad dressing names are pretty self-explanatory. But this one? I didn’t get it. And it’s fun to learn something new every day. So now you’re going to learn it from me! According to The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink, via Wikipedia, the name comes from the Thousand Islands region, located on the upper St. Lawrence River. Local folklore suggests that Sophia LaLonde, a fishing guide’s wife, made the dressing as part of her husband George’s shore dinner. Apparently, Sophia provided the recipe to someone, who shared it with someone, and so on and so on.
Another version of the story tells that Thousand Islands summer resident George Boldt, proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, instructed the hotel’s chef to create a dressing out of ingredients that were on hand and voila – Thousand Island Dressing. The actual truth of origin may never be known, and honestly, that’s okay with me! I’m just glad that someone created the recipe in the first place.
Making Your Own Dressing
The main reason that I decided to create this recipe was to complement my Burger Bowls recipe. I’m really making the effort to reduce the amount of hidden sugar and ingredients whose names I can’t even pronounce that we are consuming. And salad dressings and seasonings seem a pretty good place to start. After looking at the ingredient list for a brand-name Thousand Island Dressing, I was convinced. I experimented a little – okay, maybe a lot – and I finally settled on this recipe.
It’s so easy to make your own Thousand Island Dressing, I don’t think I’d ever buy it bottled again!
What You’ll Need
Something else I love about this recipe? You’ve probably got everything you need right in your fridge and cupboard. Take a few minutes and mix up a batch!
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Relish
Vinegar
Spices – garlic, onion, salt
Cayenne hot sauce – this is totally optional, but I really like the little bit of zing it gives the flavour
You’ll also need a container to keep your dressing in. I like to use glass jars like these ones. They’ll keep the contents fresh, while letting you see what’s inside. I can also give it a quick stir if it’s been sitting for a couple of days, although I’m not sure I’ve had to do that since it disappears so fast around our house!
This is seriously one of the easiest recipes you are EVER going to make! I’m not sure about you, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll always have all these ingredients on hand, which makes it even easier.
Here you have it: The Best Ever Thousand Island Dressing
Thousand Island Dressing
Quick and easy to make, Thousand Island Dressing is a continual crowd-pleaser. Use it as a topping on your favourite salad, dip for your veggies or chips, or the "secret sauce" on your burgers. Costs less and tastes better than store-bought!
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup pickle relish
- 2 tsp dried minced onion
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp white vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 dashes cayenne hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Transfer to a sealable glass jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavours to blend.
Notes
Dressing will keep in fridge for up to one week.
This recipe will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Trust me when I say it won’t last that long! You’ll be putting it on everything! But you’ll especially want to use it to make my Delicious and Healthy Burger Bowls!
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