Quick Answers
Thousand Island dressing typically contains egg and dairy ingredients, so it is usually not vegan or dairy-free. However, there are some brands that make vegan and dairy-free Thousand Island dressings without egg or dairy. To make Thousand Island dressing gluten-free, it’s important to use gluten-free mayonnaise and ketchup. Most Thousand Island dressings are gluten-free, but always check the label.
What is Thousand Island Dressing?
Thousand Island dressing is a creamy, pink condiment made from mayonnaise or a mayonnaise-like base along with ketchup, sweet pickles or pickle relish, onions, and bell peppers. It has a tangy, sweet, and creamy flavor profile. The dressing gets its name from the Thousand Islands region located between northern New York state and southeastern Ontario. The popular condiment was said to have been invented at the Thousand Island House hotel in Clayton, New York in the early 1900s.
While there are many variations, traditional Thousand Island dressing contains the following core ingredients:
- Mayonnaise – A thick, creamy emulsified condiment made from egg yolk, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and seasonings.
- Ketchup – A tomato-based condiment with added sweeteners, spices, and vinegar.
- Pickle relish – Chopped pickled cucumbers and onions in a sweet/tangy brine.
- Onions – Finely chopped or minced raw onions.
- Bell peppers – Finely chopped or minced red, green, yellow and/or orange bell peppers.
In addition to the core ingredients, Thousand Island dressing recipes can contain a variety of other add-ins like chopped hard-boiled egg, parsley, chives, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, black pepper, paprika and more. The ingredients provide Thousand Island dressing with its unique sweet, creamy, tangy and slightly chunky texture and flavor.
Does Traditional Thousand Island Dressing Contain Dairy?
Traditional Thousand Island dressing contains dairy ingredients like mayonnaise, which is made with egg yolks. Mayonnaise is the main base and primary ingredient in most Thousand Island dressing recipes. In addition to mayonnaise, some recipes call for sour cream or cream cheese as well. So traditional Thousand Island dressing made with a mayonnaise base is not vegan or dairy-free.
Here are some examples of dairy ingredients commonly found in Thousand Island dressing:
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Buttermilk
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Whey
- Casein
- Eggs/egg yolks
- Butter
Any Thousand Island dressing that contains mayonnaise, eggs, milk, cream, yogurt, sour cream, cheese or butter is not dairy-free or vegan.
Dairy-Free Substitutes
There are a few substitutions that can be made to create a dairy-free and vegan Thousand Island dressing:
- Vegan mayonnaise – Use egg-free vegan mayo made from soy, tofu, aquafaba, or oils instead of regular mayo.
- Plant-based yogurt – Swap in coconut, almond, soy or oat-based yogurt for dairy yogurt.
- Nut or seed butter – Substitute nut or seed butter like cashew, almond or sunflower seed butter for regular butter.
- Plant-based milk – Use unsweetened almond, soy, coconut, oat milk instead of dairy milk.
- Silken tofu – Blended silken tofu can provide a creamy base instead of sour cream.
With substitutions like these, you can create a creamy dairy-free Thousand Island dressing that retains the classic flavor.
Does Traditional Thousand Island Dressing Contain Gluten?
Thousand Island dressing is typically gluten-free, but it’s important to check the labels since some brands may add ingredients that contain gluten:
- Mayonnaise – Most regular mayonnaise is gluten-free, but some brands may add wheat-containing ingredients. Check for gluten-free mayo.
- Ketchup – Ketchup is naturally gluten-free, but some brands add wheat flour, malt vinegar or other gluten sources. Opt for gluten-free ketchup.
- Pickle relish – The main ingredients (chopped pickles, onions, vinegar, sugar) are gluten-free. Make sure other additives are gluten-free.
- Onions and bell peppers – Plain fresh or frozen onions and bell peppers are gluten-free.
- Thickeners – Some recipes use flour, breadcrumbs or starch to thicken. Use gluten-free versions.
- Worcestershire sauce – Most are GF, but check since some Worcestershire sauces contain wheat.
- Dairy ingredients – Milk, cream, yogurt and sour cream are gluten-free. Cheese could contain gluten.
As long as you read labels and confirm all ingredients used are certified gluten-free, you can make Thousand Island dressing gluten-free. Homemade with basic gluten-free ingredients is safest.
Is Thousand Island Dressing Gluten-Free?
Many major brands of Thousand Island dressing are labeled gluten-free, including:
- Kraft Thousand Island Dressing
- Ken’s Steak House Thousand Island Dressing
- Marie’s Thousand Island Dressing
- Annie’s Naturals Organic Thousand Island Dressing
- Newman’s Own Thousand Island Dressing
However, always diligently read the ingredients list and look for a “gluten-free” label when purchasing a pre-made Thousand Island dressing.
Tips for Making Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Thousand Island Dressing
Here are some tips for making homemade Thousand Island dressing that is both gluten-free and dairy-free:
Use gluten-free and dairy-free mayonnaise
Make sure to use mayonnaise that is specifically labeled gluten-free and dairy-free. Or make your own mayo with oil, vinegar, and aquafaba (chickpea liquid) instead of eggs.
Choose gluten-free ketchup
Use ketchup that is marked gluten-free on the label, or make your own gluten-free ketchup with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and spices.
Use dairy-free yogurt
For a creamy base, use plain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt made from coconut, almond, or soy instead of regular yogurt.
Sweeten with maple syrup
Replace sugar with gluten-free and vegan maple syrup to add sweetness and flavor.
Flavor with onion and garlic powder
Add gluten-free onion and garlic powders instead of chopped onion for convenience and to control texture.
Thicken with arrowroot
Use arrowroot powder instead of wheat-based flour to naturally thicken the dressing.
Brighten with lemon juice
Add some fresh lemon juice for extra tanginess and flavor.
Add gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
Look for Worcestershire sauce that is clearly labeled “gluten-free” and use sparingly for depth of flavor.
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Thousand Island Dressing Recipes
Here are a few recipe ideas for homemade Thousand Island dressings that are both gluten-free and dairy-free:
Tofu Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients:
- 12 oz extra firm tofu
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Blend tofu, olive oil, vinegar, ketchup, maple syrup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend. Keeps for up to 1 week.
- Shake or stir well before drizzling or dipping.
Cashew Cream Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Soak cashews in warm water for at least 2 hours up to overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Blend soaked cashews with water, olive oil, ketchup, vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice and seasonings until very smooth. Add more water if needed to blend.
- Transfer dressing to an airtight container and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Stir or shake well before using.
Egg-Free Mayo Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup eggless vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Whisk together vegan mayo, ketchup, relish, lemon juice, maple syrup and seasonings until well blended.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container for at least 30 minutes before using to allow flavors to meld. Keeps for up to 1 week.
- Stir or shake dressing before drizzling over salads, dipping veggies, or using as a burger or sandwich spread.
Is Thousand Island Dressing Keto?
Original Thousand Island dressing made with mayonnaise and sugar-containing ketchup is not keto-friendly due to the high carbohydrate content. However, there are ways to make a keto Thousand Island dressing at home:
- Use mayonnaise made with avocado oil instead of vegetable or soybean oil.
- Opt for no-sugar-added ketchup or reduce the amount.
- Replace sugar with low-carb sweeteners like erythritol or stevia.
- Add extra fat from sour cream or cream cheese.
- Include fatty ingredients like olives, avocado, bacon bits or cheese.
- Flavor with more vinegar, mustard, herbs and spices instead of sugar.
- Thicken with xanthan gum instead of flour-based thickeners.
With the right substitutions, Thousand Island dressing can definitely be made keto-friendly.
Is Thousand Island Dressing Paleo?
Thousand Island dressing is not naturally paleo since traditional recipes contain dairy, processed vegetable oils, and refined sugar which are excluded from the paleo diet. However, there are some easy ingredient swaps that can make a paleo-friendly Thousand Island dressing:
- Use avocado, olive or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil mayo.
- Swap honey or maple syrup for refined sugar.
- Replace dairy milk with coconut milk.
- Use coconut cream instead of sour cream.
- Try making ketchup from paleo-friendly ingredients like tomato paste, vinegar, spices and sweetener.
- Add more vegetables like diced tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, etc.
With simple modifications, Thousand Island dressing can be adapted to fit a paleo nutritional plan by focusing on whole food, low-carb, and dairy-free ingredients.
Is Thousand Island Dressing Healthy?
Thousand Island dressing is higher in fat, calories, and sodium compared to vinaigrette-style dressings due to its mayonnaise-based recipe. However, Thousand Island dressing can be lightened up by:
- Using reduced-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of full-fat mayo.
- Decreasing the amount of oil and mayonnaise.
- Adding extra vegetables like diced celery, tomatoes, cucumber, etc.
- Using less sugar or replacing it with honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice.
- Choosing low-sodium versions or reducing added salt.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley, chives and dill.
- Splashing in vinegar and lemon juice for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Thinning it out with a little water, milk or yogurt.
Light, homemade Thousand Island dressings can be a fresh and nutritious topping on salads when made with healthy ingredient tweaks. But most store-bought versions tend to be higher in calories, fat, and sodium, so consume them in moderation.
Conclusion
Thousand Island dressing typically contains egg and dairy ingredients, so traditional versions are not vegan or dairy-free. However, it’s possible to make homemade Thousand Island dressing that is both gluten-free and dairy-free by using substitutions like vegan mayo, gluten-free ketchup, plant-based yogurt, maple syrup, and arrowroot powder. Most store-bought Thousand Island dressings are gluten-free, but always check the label carefully for dairy and gluten-containing ingredients. While it’s higher in fat and calories than lighter dressings, Thousand Island dressing can be lightened up by modifying the standard recipe. With some simple ingredient tweaks and substitutions, Thousand Island dressing can be adapted to fit a range of dietary needs and preferences.