What is the Difference Between Thousand Island and Russian Dressing?

The main difference between Thousand Island and Russian dressing lies in the ingredients used to create their distinct flavors. Both dressings have a mayonnaise-ketchup base, but they diverge in terms of additional components:

• Russian Dressing: This dressing typically contains horseradish, which gives it a spicy kick. It may also include ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and paprika. Onion powder and mustard powder are more commonly found in Russian dressing.
• Thousand Island Dressing: This dressing tends to be sweeter and often includes ingredients like pickle relish, chives, and parsley. It may also contain chili sauce in addition to, or sometimes instead of, ketchup.

While the ingredients used to make Russian dressing and Thousand Island can overlap, the key ingredient that sets Russian dressing apart is horseradish. The rest of the ingredients in Russian dressing are similar if not identical to Thousand Island: mayo, ketchup, finely chopped veggies such as onion or pickle relish.

Comparative Table: Thousand Island vs Russian Dressing

The key difference between Thousand Island and Russian dressing lies in their flavor profiles. Here is a comparison table of the two dressings:

Both Thousand Island and Russian dressings have a base of mayonnaise and ketchup, but they differ in their ingredients and flavors. Thousand Island dressing is sweet due to the presence of sweet pickle relish, while Russian dressing is spicy because it contains horseradish and chili pepper. Additionally, Thousand Island dressing may include chopped vegetables such as pimientos, olives, and onions, while Russian dressing typically does not.