Five minutes is all you need to prepare creamy, tangy Russian dressing that will elevate Reubens, Rachels, burgers, and more.
The first time I prepared this sauce, I was making Rachels and Reubens and realized as the meal was underway that I had no Russian dressing, a necessity in the classic deli fare. Thousand Island offers a worthy backup, but alas, I had none of that either.
Fortunately, the required condiment could be quickly made with basic refrigerator and pantry ingredients. Over time, I made several variations and ultimately honed in on the recipe below.
It’s speedy for sure, but it’s also loaded with flavor and offers welcome moisture and creaminess to so many things beyond a Rachel or a Reuben. We’ve enjoyed it on a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers (beef, turkey, and veggie burgers), on salads, and as a dip for raw vegetables.
My latest discovery – as a dip for fries, especially sweet potato fries – is a new favorite for sure.
Simple sauce and dressing recipes are the easiest way to elevate your cooking. They have the potential to add irresistible flavor to basic ingredients like grains, vegetables, beans, and meats, and will often keep in your refrigerator for a week or more.
Russian dressing defines a Rachel or Reuben sandwich, but try it on burgers too. The creamy dressing is also a fantastic alternative to mayo on a basic turkey sandwich and delicious as a dip for raw veggies.
What is the difference between Russian and Thousand Island Dressing?
If you prefer the convenience of store-bought dressing for the Rachel sandwich (or its corned beef counterpart, the Reuben), either Russian or Thousand Island may be used. The main difference between the two is that Thousand Island includes relish or chopped pickles, which give the dressing more sweetness and texture. Russian, on the other hand, delivers a touch of piquancy thanks to the inclusion of horseradish.
If you’d like a hint of texture to the otherwise smooth sauce, you could add a teaspoon or two of minced yellow onion, although I usually skip it.
Several friends have compared this easy Russian dressing to Trader Joe’s popular Magnifisauce…mentioning the homemade version is even better!
If you make this recipe, please comment and give it a 5-star review if you deem worthy. The feedback is always appreciated! 💚
Quick Russian DressingPrep Time: 3 minCook Time: 0 minTotal Time: 3 minYield: ⅓ cup – easy to scale up
Five minutes is all you need to prepare creamy, tangy Russian dressing that will elevate Reubens, Rachels, burgers, sweet potato fries, and more.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (56g) mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons (25g) ketchup
- 1 teaspoon (5g) prepared horseradish (use 1½ teaspoons for extra zing)
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon each smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
InstructionsStir together and refrigerate until ready to use. The dressing will keep for a week or more in the fridge, and the recipe doubles (and triples) easily.
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- ¼ cup (56g) mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons (25g) ketchup
- 1 teaspoon (5g) prepared horseradish (use 1½ teaspoons for extra zing)
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon each smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Stir together and refrigerate until ready to use. The dressing will keep for a week or more in the fridge, and the recipe doubles (and triples) easily.