Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe

Last Updated on June 17, 2025

Looking for a creamy and savory dressing? Unleash the flavor with this homemade Russian dressing recipe. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, and an appetizer dip.

How To Make Russian Dressing

This dressing has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 1900’s. Initially known as “Russian Salad Dressing,” the name’s origins are unclear. I’ve read that it originally was made by including caviar, therefore, Russian.

The recipe has evolved over time, and today, there are various versions of the dressing. Making your own homemade dressing is an excellent way to add flavor to your meals and control the ingredients used.

Russian dressing and thousand island dressing are pretty similar. Each has a base of mayonnaise and ketchup or chili sauce but then the ingredients start to differ some.

Thousand Island usually contains pickle relish and is a sweeter flavor overall than Russian. To me, Russian dressing has got to have some horseradish in it to give it that unique tang.

Ingredients

You will need these Russian dressing main ingredients to make this easy recipe:

• Mayonnaise
• Chili sauce or ketchup
• Minced celery
• Minced onion
• Chopped parsley
• Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce like Tabasco
• Dry ground mustard
• Sugar
• Cream

Preparation Time For Making the Dressing

Making homemade dressing takes about fifteen minutes. The most time-consuming part is mincing the veggies.  To save time, you could mix the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Alternatively, you can combine the ingredients by hand in a small bowl.

Preparation Method

To make the dressing, mix all the ingredients in a bowl or a blender. Blend until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Store the dressing in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

I like to make the dressing a couple of hours before I’m going to use it. The flavors will meld together as they sit in your refrigerator.

Variations

There are several variations of Russian dressing that you can try. For a spicier version, add more hot sauce or horseradish. To make a creamy version, use sour cream or Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Add chopped pickles, capers, or green onions for a unique twist.

Serving Suggestions For Russian Dressing

Russian dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions to inspire you:

1. Sandwiches: Spread the dressing on your favorite sandwich for a tangy kick. It pairs well with meats like turkey, ham, or roast beef, and also complements veggies like lettuce and tomato. It is especially used for a classic Reuben sandwich with rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, and melty Swiss cheese. You can simplify this by just making a corned beef sandwich on rye. 

2. Salads: Use as a dressing for salads like coleslaw, potato salad, or pasta salad. It adds a creamy, flavorful element that will take your salad to the next level.

3. Seafood: Russian dressing goes great with seafood dishes like shrimp cocktail or crab cakes. The zesty, slightly sweet flavor pairs perfectly with the delicate flavors of seafood.

4. Burgers: Give your burger a unique twist by using Russian dressing instead of regular ketchup or mayo. It adds a bold flavor that will make your burger stand out.

5. Appetizers: Use as a dip for appetizers like chicken tenders, fried zucchini, or mozzarella sticks. It adds a fun, unexpected flavor that will have your guests asking for the recipe.

Storage

To keep your Russian dressing fresh and flavorful, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to two weeks, but if you notice any changes in texture or flavor, discard it.

Chef’s Notes

Making this creamy Russian dressing recipe is an excellent way to enhance the flavor of your meals while reaping the health benefits of using fresh, whole ingredients.

It’s a simple process that can be customized to suit your personal tastes and dietary needs. Plus, you’ll be avoiding the preservatives and additives found in store-bought dressings.

And, this Russian dressing recipe is the first step to making a delicious Reuben Sandwich. Here is an article explaining the method that I follow when making a Reuben. How To Make a Reuben Sandwich.

Having the stove on low heat is the key to getting the cheese melted. And I cover the skillet with a lightweight metal bowl to hold in the heat. (Just like the mixing bowl I used for this recipe).

Here is a link to my How To Cook Corned Beef In The Oven. Corned beef and cabbage and Reuben sandwiches are good year-round.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. 

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe

This is a tasty Russian dressing recipe that is perfect for salads or sandwiches.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate Save Saved Recipe

Course: Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine: American Regional, Russian inspired

Keyword: Russian dressing recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 1 ounce servings

Calories: 135kcal

Author: Joe Boyle

Ingredients

• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Chili sauce
• 1 tbsp. Celery, finely minced
• 1 tbsp. Onion, finely minced
• 1 tbsp. Fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp. Dry ground mustard
• 1/2 tsp. Hot sauce,
• 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp. Sugar
• 2 tbsp. Heavy cream.

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Mix all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and store refrigerated.
• An alternative method would be to coarse-chop the celery and onion and puree the ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Notes

1. You can substitute ketchup for the chili sauce.
2. Add more horseradish or hot sauce for a spicier dressing. I use Tabasco for this recipe.
3. You could make a Thousand Island style dressing by omitting the horseradish and adding a couple of teaspoons of dill relish.
4. This recipe makes approximately 12 ounces of dressing. The nutrition information is based on a one-ounce serving.
5. Store the dressing refrigerated, in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
6. This recipe is adapted from Emeril Lagasse.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz. | Calories: 135kcal