This vegan thousand island dressing takes five minutes, uses ingredients you probably already have, and keeps in the fridge all week. You can use tofu mayo, or any store-bought vegan mayo works just as well.
If you're into making your own vegan dressings and sauces, check out homemade vegan ranch dressing, Chipotle vinaigrette, or vegan Big Mac sauce- they all take five minutes and beat anything from a bottle.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Five minutes, start to finish. Stir, taste, done. No cooking, no blending.
- Pantry ingredients only. Vegan mayo, ketchup, and pickle relish. Nothing obscure.
- Works on everything. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, fries, wraps. It's not just a salad dressing.
- Keeps all week. Make a batch on Sunday, use it all week.
Ingredients
Here's what you need. See the recipe card below for all ingredients and exact quantities.
- Vegan mayo - store-bought works great. Or make your own tofu mayo if you're feeling it. You can also use unsweetened vegan Greek yogurt.
- Ketchup - the classic combo with mayo is what gives it that pink color and sweet-tangy flavor. Use your favorite.
- Sweet pickle relish - this is what makes it taste like Thousand Island, not just pink mayo. Don't skip it.
- Salt & pepper - season to taste at the end. Ketchup varies in saltiness, so you may need more or less.
Variations
- Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy variation
- Swap sweet pickle relish for hot pepper relish for heat in every bite
- Use diced dill pickles instead of sweet relish for a sharper, chunkier texture
- Add finely diced red onion for extra crunch and bite
- Stir in capers for a briny version
How to Make Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
Just like so many of my vegan sauces and dressings, this is genuinely the easiest dressing you'll make.
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix.
Step 2: Taste and adjust - more ketchup for sweeter, more vinegar for tangier, salt and pepper to finish. Use it immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors come together. It gets better as it sits.
What to Use It On
Thousand Island is not just for iceberg salads (though it's great on those too).
- Salads - Classic wedge or chopped iceberg. Also works on a potato salad for a delicious variation.
- Veggie Reuben - Spread it thick on toasted rye with sauerkraut and your favorite filling. This dressing is basically the secret sauce of every Reuben ever made.
- Burgers, wraps, and sandwiches - Slather it on any of these 14 Irresistible Veggie Burgers Even Meat-Eaters Will Love instead of plain mayo. It adds flavor without being overpowering.
- Dipping sauce - Delicious Air-Fryer Fries, onion rings, raw veggies, and spring rolls.
How Long Does It Keep?
Store it in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Give it a stir before using since the ingredients can separate slightly. It actually tastes better on day two once everything has had time to meld together.
Vegan Thousand Island Dressing FAQS
Traditional thousand island dressing is not vegan because it's made with regular mayo, which contains eggs. This version uses vegan mayo, so it's completely egg-free and dairy-free. Everything else in the recipe - ketchup, relish, vinegar, spices - is already vegan.
They look similar but taste different. Russian dressing is spicier and more savory - it typically includes horseradish and Worcestershire sauce. Thousand Island is sweeter and milder, with pickle relish as the signature ingredient. Both are great on a Reuben, for what it's worth.
Got a minute? I'd love for you to comment and rate vegan Thousand Island Dressing. Your feedback is invaluable-did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Recipe Card
Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
Equipment
- Flute Glass Mason Jar optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine: Add all ingredients to a bowl or jar. Whisk or stir until fully combined and that signature pink color is even throughout.
- Adjust: More ketchup for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, more relish for texture.
- Serve: Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
Vger says
Five minutes and it was ready to go - the sweet pickle relish is the key ingredient that sets it apart from plain pink mayo, and I loved how it brought everything together instantly. I used it on a veggie Reuben and as a dipping sauce for fries, and both were outstanding.
Regi Pearce says
So glad you liked it! The sweet pickle relish really is what makes it taste like actual Thousand Island instead of just pink mayo. Your veggie Reuben + fries situation sounds pretty perfect, honestly. Thanks so much for sharing how you used it.
Regi Pearce says
This is a great sauce for so many things. Love making it on Sunday and having it ready all week.