Thousand Island dressing is a pretty popular dressing form. It’s great for salads, and it is a pretty decent dip as well. This versatility is one of the biggest reasons why it is so loved.
But, there are several reasons why Thousand Island dressing might not necessarily cut it in your dish. If you find yourself in this situation, you will need a substitute.
What is the best substitute for Thousand Island dressing? Russian dressing is the most ideal substitute for Thousand Island dressing, thanks to its many similarities. With Russian dressing, you get a creamy and strong taste. It also looks like Thousand Island dressing, so you have that visual benefit while eating it.
What is Thousand Island Dressing?
Thousand Island dressing is one of those things you should keep around in your kitchen regularly. Whether you’re a fan of burgers or salads, this dressing is a great option to keep around and have in your kitchen.
With a combination of sweet, tangy, and creamy tastes, this dressing appeals to just about any palette. Like other dressings, it is made of a combination of ingredients – including mayonnaise, pepper, salt, vinegar, ketchup, pickle relish, paprika, onions, and many more. You can tweak the recipe as much as you like to accommodate your taste preferences.
Over time, thousand island dressing has gone from something that only the rich take to a pretty common delicacy. With its versatility and great taste, this isn’t much of a surprise.
Why Substitute Thousand Island Dressing?
Some of the top reasons why you might need a substitute for Thousand Island dressing include:
- Non-availability: Sometimes, you won’t be able to get Thousand Island dressing close to you. So, a substitute will have to do.
- Health reasons: Thousand Island dressing contains ingredients like cream and mayonnaise, which might not necessarily be ideal for people watching their intake.
- Allergies: Thousand Island dressing contains several ingredients that could cause allergies. These include cream, ketchup, and pepper. If you’re allergic to any of its ingredients, you’ll need a substitute.
Options for Thousand Island Dressing Substitutes
Best Overall Substitute for Thousand Island Dressing: Russian Dressing
Despite what it says in the name, Russian dressing doesn’t actually originate from Russia. In fact, many believe that the dressing comes from somewhere in the United States – probably New Hampshire. But, we selected Russian dressing as your best bet because of its similarities with Thousand Island dressing.
Both Russian dressing and Thousand Island dressing have similar ingredients, which means that they taste quite the same. They also have a similar appearance, so you’re not really missing much here. The main ingredients in this dressing include ketchup and mayonnaise, both of which are also part of the usual Thousand Island dressing recipe.
Some versions of Russian dressing can come with some caviar, although it’s not much of a necessity. But, you can also find pickles in the recipe – in fact, the pickles component is actually what gave the Russian dressing its Russian heritage. Again, pickles are another ingredient that you can find in Thousand Island dressing. So, you see how both options are very similar.
In terms of taste, you’re not missing anything with Russian dressing. However, it isn’t so perfect. Russian dressing is usually spicier than Thousand Island dressing, thanks to the addition of ingredients like chili and horseradish. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, Russian dressing might not be the best option for you.
Best Taste-Based Substitute: Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is actually quite popular. In some places, it’s even more popular than Thousand Island dressing. Despite being newer than Thousand Island dressing, ranch dressing actually comes with several identical ingredients.
Ranch dressing is popular for its tangy taste. With ingredients like mayonnaise, it’s easy to see why. You will also notice a hint of creaminess in the dressing – which, in many ways, is quite similar to Thousand Island dressing.
We chose ranch dressing because it is easy to make in its purest form. However, if you’ve got enough time and would like to add some additional ingredients, you can definitely do that – especially if the ingredients aren’t what you’d usually find in Thousand Island dressing.
You should note that ranch dressing also isn’t perfect. For one, the recipe doesn’t contain sugar, So, that sweetness that you enjoy from Thousand Island dressing isn’t here. Also, ranch dressing isn’t quite healthy. It’s got a high content of saturated fats, thanks to its content of mayonnaise and sour cream. So, people with health issues might not necessarily enjoy it. But, if health considerations aren’t so huge for you, dive in.
Best Substitute in a Time Crunch: French Dressing
French dressing and Thousand Island dressing don’t taste so similar. However, they couldn’t be more alike when it comes to functionality. Like Thousand Island dressing, French dressing also works as a great dressing option for salads while offering a sweet dip for your vegetables. You could even add some of it to pasta salads and potato dishes.
While you could get French dressing at a store, it’s actually better if you make it on your own. Don’t worry; you won’t take time. In fact, French dressing can be made in less than 10 minutes. For those days when you’re not in the mood to get dressing from the store, this is your go-to source.
Some of the primary ingredients in French dressing include ketchup, onion cider, mayonnaise, paprika, garlic powder, vinegar, and salt. You can add some sugar and pepper if you’d like some sweetness and spice. Just put them all in your food processor and blend them together.
French dressing is a one-for-one substitute for Thousand Island dressing, so you don’t have any problems with proportions.