Vegan Thousand Island Salad Dressing

Just because you are vegan doesn't mean you have to give up on Thousand Island salad dressing. One of the key non-vegan ingredients in Thousand Island dressing is mayonnaise, which you can simply swap for vegan mayonnaise, either store bought or homemade.

In its simplest form, Thousand Island salad dressing is little more than prepared ketchup mixed together in any proportion with mayonnaise or Vegenaise if you’re vegan. Once you have whipped up these two basic ingredients, the possibilities for variations are endless. No wonder it is one of the most popular dressings and widely used condiment for virtually anything. Thousand Island dressing has many more uses than merely tossing it with a salad.

In this recipe, sweet pickle relish adds a bit of sweetness and texture to the dressing. For more tang, mix in some Dijon mustard or a little bit of vinegar. To make it spicy, add a pinch of crushed red chile pepper.

Thousand Island dressing is so versatile that you can add flavorings and condiments from a wide array of cuisines. For an Asian twist, add a bit of Sriracha, miso, hoisin, wasabi, or garam masala. Stir in some chopped capers for a Mediterranean-style variation or chopped preserved lemon for a Moroccan-inspired dressing. For a Mexican-flavored dressing, add taco seasoning or taco sauce.

Other vegan additions that add both flavor and texture are finely chopped onions, bell peppers, pimento, green olives, or nuts. For minced fresh herbs, try parsley or garlic chives. You can even stir in some chopped almonds, walnuts, or cashews.

If you add fresh ingredients like onions or peppers, or fresh herbs to the dressing, it won’t keep that long. So, if you want to keep a jar of Thousand Island dressing ready in the fridge for whenever a fancy strikes you, it is better to stick to the basic ingredients and add other, more perishable ingredients shortly before serving.

Thousand Island dressing was invented in the Thousand Islands region in upstate New York, but there are different tales about who invented Thousand Island Dressing and when. One thing is for sure, though: The dressing was invented during an era when meat was an essential part of the American diet. However, thanks to the plant-based mayonnaise alternatives we have today, it is possible to enjoy a vegan Thousand Island dressing that is just as tasty and versatile as the original.