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Home » sauce / dressing » Vegan Thousand Island Dressing

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing

Last Updated August 13, 2020. Originally Posted August 13, 2020 By Kristina Sloggett 18 Comments

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this quick and easy Vegan Thousand Island Dressing recipe brings you the tangy flavor of the classic dressing – with an oil free version!

recipe originally published June 27, 2012

 

a large glass Weck jar of vegan thousand island dressing, with a spoon dripping sauce above the jar. black background.

TABLE OF CONTENTS – Jump to any section:

    1. Homemade Thousand Island
    2. Name origin
    3. Does Thousand Island have dairy?
    4. Benefits of cashews
    5. How to serve this dressing
    6. Recipes using Thousand Island
    7. Does this need to be chilled?
    8. How long does Thousand Island last?
    9. More vegan salad dressing recipes
    10. Vegan Thousand Island dressing recipe

 

 

Homemade Thousand Island dressing recipe

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing is another staple recipe in our kitchen. This tangy favorite is so quick and easy – and I make it so often – that I make it from memory most of the time.

 

Why is it called Thousand Island?

Thousand Island dressing was named after the area that it was first created in – Thousand Island, New York. The story says that a fishing guide’s wife created the recipe for her husband. And, then a famous actress loved it so much she asked for the recipe.

 

an air fried Reuben flavored egg roll dipped into a bowl of Thousand Island dressing.

 

Does Thousand Island Dressing have dairy?

Traditional Thousand Island dressing doesn’t contain any dairy at all. It is usually mayonnaise based with olive oil, citrus juice and a variety of seasonings. Most contain mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish.

Because Thousand Island typically contains mayonnaise made with eggs, it is not vegan. This recipe is both vegan and has an oil free option.

This dressing recipe uses ingredients you probably already have on hand. We think this is so much better than store bought Thousand Island.

 

Benefits of cashews

Cashews are the basis of this vegan Thousand Island Dressing recipe (unless you opt for vegan mayonnaise, which I do just as often). Cashews bring a deliciously rich flavor and creaminess to a vegan dressing. They are a delicious source of protein, are rich in heart-healthy fatty acids, and contain no cholesterol.

Have you ever tried our Golden Cashew Cream recipe? Or enjoy this Vanilla Mint Cashew Milk recipe with breakfast.

 

an entree salad of greens, crab cakes, and Thousand Island dressing; a hand squeezing a lemon over the salad.

 

How to serve Thousand Island

Salads like a (vegan) crab cake salad are delicious with the flavors of Thousand Island dressing.

I also use this recipe in our Reuben Rolls and Reuben sandwiches. Burgers like the Best Vegan Mushroom Burger and the White Bean Veggie Burger are good vehicles for this dressing, and Thousand Island is like an elevated fry sauce for all kinds of French fries.

 

Recipes using Thousand Island dressing

  • Vegan Chicken Nuggets
  • Crispy Tangy Reuben Rolls
  • Crispy Cheesy Vegan Quesarito
  • Vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
  • Crispy Southern Fried Tofu
  • Vegan Buffalo Wing Salad

 

krinkle cut French fries dipped into a bowl of Thousand Island dressing, plate of fries and bottles of beer in background.

 

Do I need to chill this first?

Thousand Island Dressing does not need to be cold before you serve it. You certainly can make it up ahead of time and put it in the refrigerator, but it tastes just as delicious as soon as you make it.

 

How long can you store Thousand Island Dressing?

When refrigerated in a tightly covered container, this dressing will last about two weeks. It probably won’t last anywhere near that long – this deliciousness disappears quickly in our house.

 

More Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes

If you like this Vegan Thousand Island Dressing recipe, try one of these other salad dressing recipes. They are all super tasty, and easy to make.

  • Green Goodness Dressing Dip
  • Easy Poppyseed Dressing
  • Celery Ranch Dressing  
  • Tangy Lemon Dressing
  • Quick Dill Pickle Dressing
  • Walnut Mustard Dressing
  • Warm “Bacon” Dressing

 

a large glass jar of vegan thousand island dressing, with a spoon dripping sauce above the jar. black background.

 

Did You Make This Vegan Thousand Island? 

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We love seeing your recipe photos and remakes – thank you!

Yield: 8 servings

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing – this quick and easy recipe brings you the tangy flavor of the classic dressing – with an oil free version!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cashews *see notes for mayo substitute
  • 1/2 cup water – + depending on desired consistency
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup organic ketchup
  • 1-2 dill pickles, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. In blender, combine soaked cashews, lemon juice, and water. Blend at high speed until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add all remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth.

Notes

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan recipe

*in place of cashews and water, use 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Vitamix Blender, Low-Profile Container
    Vitamix Blender, Low-Profile Container
  • Weck 742 Mold Jar
    Weck 742 Mold Jar
  • Raw Organic Cashews
    Raw Organic Cashews
  • Smoked Paprika
    Smoked Paprika

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8 servings

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 194Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 185mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

© Kristina Sloggett
Cuisine: American / Category: sauce / dressing

about Kristina:

spabettieKristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food!  Read more…

 

 

 

 

 

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Meal Prep, Meatless Monday, Oil Free!, recipes, sauce / dressing, Vegan

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Comments

  1. Linda says

    July 27, 2019 at 11:26 am

    Hi. I don’t know if you’ll see this comment but I need help with your recipe. I was going to make your vegan thousand island dressing today but I don’t know how long to soak the cashews. Also, do you just soak them in cold water? Sorry if they’re stupid questions; I’m new to this! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristina Sloggett says

      July 27, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      hi Linda! not a stupid question at all – I will update the recipe instructions to clarify.

      I usually soak in HOT water for a couple hours. if you want to make this sooner, you can boil the cashews for a few minutes, just until they are softened. I hope this helps, and hope you enjoy the Thousand Island!

      Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    September 20, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    So good! I’ve made this twice in the last week. It reminds me of my childhood, when we would mix ketchup and mayo and eat it with everything from tater tots to potstickers. Except this tastes even better and is healthier! Thank you so much for this great recipe.

    Reply
    • Kristina Sloggett says

      September 20, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      you are so welcome, Stephanie – so happy you like it! so easy to whip up, we almost always have a batch in the fridge… 🙂

      Reply
  3. Casey the College Celiac says

    June 28, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    I love Thousand Island dressing and the simple ingredients on this list make this recipe even better!

    Reply
    • Kristina Sloggett says

      June 29, 2017 at 6:25 am

      exactly, Casey – no weird words we cannot begin to pronounce! 😉 I hope you love this one – it tastes like I remember!

      Reply
  4. JL Fields says

    June 28, 2017 at 6:07 am

    Dave loves making homemade seitan Reuben sandwiches; looks like we have a new thousand island dressing for ’em!

    Reply
    • Kristina Sloggett says

      June 28, 2017 at 7:46 am

      I need to make your seitan. Reuben is one of my favorite “flavors” and yep – I use this Thousand Island with ALL the Reuben things! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Heather McClees says

    June 27, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    This is such a great tecipe! I had a friend who lpved Thousand Island dressing. I have never seen a vegan version before–love it!

    Reply
    • Heather McClees says

      June 27, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      recipe* 🙂

      Reply
    • Kristina Sloggett says

      June 28, 2017 at 7:45 am

      woo HOO – thanks, Heather! it is one of our favorites around here…

      Reply

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welcome! I’m Kristina

I am a voracious reader and chickpea eater. also known as spabettie.

using my extensive culinary training and work in the industry, I have been creating vegan recipes for more than a decade.

at spabettie, you will find easy and appealing plant based recipes - vegan, gluten free, and full of vibrant flavor.
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