This Paleo Thousand Island Dressing is made from scratch, using only healthy ingredients! It’s great for salads or even drizzled on burgers.

a labeled jar of homemade thousand island dressing

Homemade 1000 Island Dressing

This dressing is really delicious, y’all. It’s great on a salad, great in a chicken bake (like THIS one), and even great on a burger (think “special sauce”).

What is Thousand Island Dressing?

Thousand Island Dressing is a creamy salad dressing that is mayo-based, with ingredients like tomato paste, and usually an acid (like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar). It also typically contains some sort of tang from a pickle relish.

Why do they call it Thousand Island dressing?

The story here is that the dressing was first made in the 20th century in Thousand Islands, New York where a fishing guide’s wife, Sophie Lalonde, first made it to go with her husband’s dinner. Thanks, Sophie!!

Is 1000 Island dressing healthy?

Because it’s made with cleaner ingredients than most store-bought options, we think this version is healthy! Take a look at the ingredients list, though, because “healthy” really depends on what your body tolerates well.

Ingredients for Paleo Thousand Island Dressing

Here’s what you’ll need for your homemade dressing:

all of the ingredients for homemade thousand island dressing in different sized bowls on a marble surface
  • Mayonnaise – to start, you’ll need a 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. THIS is our favorite store-bought option!
  • Tomato Paste – to add a rich tomato flavor to the dressing, you’ll also need 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
  • Dill Relish – 3 tablespoons of dill relish really helps to brighten the dressing and adds a nice tangy punch to it!
  • Spices + Seasonings – to add some more flavor, you’ll also need a 1/4 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – a teaspoon of ACV really helps to lighten and brighten the dressing.

How to Make Thousand Island Dressing

This is *so* easy it’s silly — are you ready? All you’ll need to do is add all of the ingredients to a bowl or jar and whisk to combine. That’s it! Dressing made.

a person holding a fork in a spouted measuring cup full of homemade thousand island dressing

What is the best way to store homemade Thousand Island Dressing? How long will it keep?

We stored ours in an airtight jar in the fridge. Stored that way, it’ll last for up to a week!

Serving Suggestions

The possibilities are endless here, but we LOVE this on a salad or even paired with a protein. We used it in our Thousand Island Chicken Bake and it was divine, and it’s also really great smeared on a hamburger!

a wooden bowl of spinach being drizzled with homemade thousand island dressing

What’s the difference between Russian dressing and Thousand Island dressing?

Russian dressing is mayo and tomato (usually ketchup) based but it also includes horseradish and a variety of spices to make it spicier and less sweet than Thousand Island Dressing.

Thousand Island Dressing Recipe (Paleo)

5 from 1 vote
By Cassy
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Creamy and delicious, this cleaner version of the classic Thousand Island dressing is really delicious drizzled over salad greens!

Ingredients  

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons dill relish
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix. Season with salt and pepper as you like!
  • Note: may substitute fresh chopped onion and garlic for the powder. Increase amounts to 1 teaspoon each.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Additional Info

Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 104
Keyword: paleo thousand island chicken, thousand island dressing

Like this recipe?

Leave a comment


About the Author

Cassy Joy Garcia, NC

Cassy Joy Garcia, a New York Times best-selling author, of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed & Fit.


More Like This

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. Oh how I would love a good news podcast. I can barely listen to the news or current events shows anymore. Good news would certainly be uplifting and encouraging!

  2. Absolutely yes to a Good News podcast! There needs to be more balance to the bad news that makes the headlines. Thanks!

  3. I could not love this Good News podcast idea anymore! I feel like we’re surrounded by so much negativity, and to have a podcast filled with heartwarming stories would bring so many people so much joy. Please do it! And a cohost could be fun, as long as they are as optimistic and wonderful as you, but if it was just you it’d be fine too! I think it’s whatever you’re comfortable with!

  4. LOVE the podcast idea!!! I would for sure be a loyal listener. Honestly undecided on the co-host idea, but I think I’m leaning towards you solo hosting. That way it wouldn’t detract from the content. But either way would be just great!

  5. I think a co-host would be nice for banter, but only if you both have quality audio. There’s nothing worse that one person who is super loud and the other is muffled (due to recording, not natural speaking volumes). It makes it impossible to listen to, especially in headphones. I also notice that with a lot of co-hosted podcasts, there’s always the one person that completely dominates the conversation time and again. I think your personality is the type that could carry the podcast on its own and be fine 🙂

  6. Yes, please! The Good News Show sounds amazing and I would subscribe. You are such a happy, positive light in social media and for you to share uplifting stories from around the world is so fitting! I’m on the fence about podcasts with two hosts – I feel like sometimes the relationship and banter between the two hosts overpowers the conversation and detracts from the person or subject they are discussing but that’s just my two cents! Either way I will listen 🙂 Can’t wait!

  7. Cass, I absolutely LOVE your idea about the good news show. And I couldn’t think of someone more appropriate to host than you! I do like the idea of a co-host just to mix it up and have some fun dialogue. I think any one you get along well with would be super fun to have.

    Yay!

    Emily

  8. Yes PLEASE on the Good News Show! There’s so much good news happening, and so little attention paid to any of it. I’d tune in for sure.