Russian Dressing vs. Thousand Island: How Do They Compare?
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jan 21, 2022 • 1 min read
Russian and Thousand Island are both ketchup- and mayonnaise-based dressings with tangy flavors and creamy textures. Some people may even associate them with other red-tinted vinaigrettes like Catalina dressing or French dressing. However, understanding the differences between Russian dressing and Thousand Island will allow you to choose the best option at the grocery store.
Learn From the Best
What Is Russian Dressing?
Russian dressing is a creamy condiment or salad dressing typically made of mayonnaise, ketchup, pimento peppers, chili sauce, and horseradish. The combination of chili sauce and horseradish gives this creamy salad dressing its characteristically piquant (or spicy) flavor. Reuben sandwiches—a popular Jewish deli staple made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and rye bread—rely on Russian dressing for some creamy, tangy spice.
Despite its name, Russian dressing may not have originated in Russia. Experts trace the likely origin of the condiment back to the early 1900s in the US’s New England region. Historians credit James E. Colburn, a grocer from Nashua, New Hampshire, as the inventor of the spread. Alternatively, some early homemade Russian dressing recipes included black caviar as a key ingredient, which offers a possible explanation for the name.
What Is Thousand Island Dressing?
Thousand Island dressing is a condiment or salad dressing consisting of mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, lemon juice, olive oil, hot sauce, paprika, chives, mustard, hard-boiled eggs, and Worcestershire sauce. The addition of pickle relish gives Thousand Island dressing a sweeter flavor than Russian dressing.
The dressing originated in the Thousand Island region between the US and Canada, where the St. Lawrence River divides the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario from upstate New York.
Russian Dressing vs. Thousand Island Dressing: What Is the Difference?
Russian and Thousand Island are ketchup- and mayonnaise-based dressings, with notable differences. The key distinction between the two spreads lies in their flavor profiles. Russian dressing features horseradish and chili pepper, making it spicy. Sweet pickle relish is a key ingredient in Thousand Island dressing, which makes it sweet.
Still, home cooks and chefs use the condiments interchangeably as deli sandwich spreads and key components in coleslaw bases, vinaigrettes, or fry sauces for dippable finger foods like French fries (similar to blue cheese or ranch dressing).
Want to Learn More About Cooking?
Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.