Russian dressing is like a spicier sibling to Thousand Island dressing. It uses the same creamy mayonnaise and tomato sauce/ketchup base, but instead of sweet ingredients, it's flavoured with spicy and savoury ones like horseradish, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
Russian Dressing recipe
There's nothing Russian about this dressing though. Russian Dressing is American in origin; it's named as such because the original recipe included caviar, a staple of Russian cuisine.
Russian dressing has the same uses as Thousand Island dressing: salad dressing, sandwich or burger spread, dip for fried foods and of course, the classic Reuben sandwich.
How to use Russian Dressing?
As with Thousand Island dressing, Russian dressing is a salad dressing - perfect for garden salads, wedge salads, and so forth.
Here are some ideas on using Russian dressing:
- Dress a salad.
- As a burger sauce - or the basis for making your own burger sauce.
- Serve over steamed vegetables.
- A creamy dip, for vegetables like carrots and celery.
- Dip for French fries or other hot chips, or fried food.
- The traditional topping in a Reuben sandwich.
Russian Dressing ingredients
Check out the recipe card further down the post for comprehensive ingredients and quantities.
- Mayonnaise - as this is the core of the dressing, make sure you use a quality mayonnaise. Feel free to make it from scratch if that's your thing - it will be better.
- Tomato sauce/ketchup - use your tomato sauce/ketchup of choice, or if you want it extra spicy, use chilli sauce.
- Horseradish - either prepared or horseradish cream; if you're using fresh horseradish, add it to taste.
- Worcestershire sauce.
- Finely diced onion.
- A dash of hot sauce such as Tabasco or Frank's for some extra heat - if you want it.
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
How to make Russian Dressing
Check out the recipe card further down the post for comprehensive instructions.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix well.
Tips
- Make sure you use a quality mayonnaise, or make your own. It's the base of the sauce so the quality will make a noticeable difference.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning - salt, pepper and spice should be balanced.
- Let it sit if you have time - even 30 minutes will help the flavours to come together.
What is Russian Dressing?
Russian dressing is a creamy, tangy salad dressing made from mayonnaise, ketchup or chilli sauce, and prepared horseradish, along with other spices and flavourings. It became popular in the early 20th century and is often used on sandwiches like the Reuben, as well as with salads or grilled meats.
Make ahead and freezing Russian Dressing
Homemade Russian dressing will keep in the fridge for at least 3-4 days, and the taste will improve over time as the different flavours in the sauce develop.
As the base of this dressing is mayonnaise, Russian dressing is not suitable to freeze - it will split when thawed.
Russian Dressing
| Prep | Total |
|---|---|
| 5 mins | 5 mins |
- 1/2 cup (110g) mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce/ketchup or use chilli sauce for extra heat
- 2 tsp prepared horseradish or 1 tbsp horseradish cream. If using fresh horseradish, add to taste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp paprika or substitute with smoked paprika for a stronger taste
- 1 tbsp diced onion
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Dash of hot sauce, to taste optional
- Mix - add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
