Homemade Russian dressing is a creamy and flavorful condiment perfect for sandwiches, burgers, and even as a dip. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
Once you start making your sauces and dressings from scratch, you won’t want store-bought! Here are a few more tried and true recipes that you’ll have to try next: Thousand Island dressing, Greek salad dressing, and of course- homemade Caesar dressing!
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe
Elevate your sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more with this incredibly easy homemade Russian dressing! It’s bursting with flavor and so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you ever used anything else. Fresh (and customizable) ingredients like creamy mayonnaise, zesty horseradish, and tangy chili sauce come together to create the perfect flavor combo.
Plus, you can adjust the spice level to your preference, making it perfect for everyone at the table. With minimal prep and a fridge life of up to 7 days, this recipe is a win-win for any kitchen. This homemade Russian dressing tastes better, you know what’s in it, (no additives and preservatives here!) and can easily be customized. What’s not to love?
Ingredient List
This Russian dressing recipe is all about fresh flavors and customization. Let’s break down the ingredients! (Exact measurements are in the recipe card below!)
- Mayonnaise: The base of our creamy Russian dressing, mayonnaise adds richness and binds everything together. Not a fan of mayo? Try plain Greek yogurt!
- Chili Sauce or Ketchup: Pick your tang! Chili sauce adds a bit more zip, while ketchup keeps things a touch sweeter.
- Horseradish: This fiery root brings the heat. Add a little or a lot, depending on your spice tolerance.
- Hot Sauce (Optional): Want an extra kick? A few drops of your favorite hot sauce will do the trick.
- Paprika: So your dressing has a touch of warmth and depth.
- Dill Relish: Chopped pickles in a tangy brine add a burst of salty flavor and little pops of crunch.
- Minced Onion & Garlic: Pack in that flavor!
How to Make Russian Dressing From Scratch
Get your ingredients ready, because it’s time to mix up a flavorful sauce that you’ll want to put on everything! Taste test as you go so your Russian dressing turns out just the way you like it.
- Combine Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a bowl and then mix to combine.
- Adjust Flavor: Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more horseradish or hot sauce (or both!) if you want a little more kick.
- Store or Serve: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Then use as a spread on sandwiches or burgers, dip, or salad dressing.
Let it Meld!
Russian dressing tastes better when all of the flavors have time to meld, so I recommend storing it in the fridge for a few hours before you use it.
Tips and Tricks
- Easy Prep: For the easiest way of making this dressing and saving all the time mincing things, add the chunky ingredients to a food processor or small food chopper to blend them quickly until they are minced. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until everything is combined.
- Adjust the Heat: Chili sauce is a little spicier than ketchup, so if you use ketchup you should taste the sauce and add more horseradish or hot sauce if you want it to be spicier.
- Is Russian Dressing the same as Thousand Island? Not quite! Russian dressing is spicier thanks to the addition of horseradish (and sometimes hot sauce and chili sauce).
Storing Russian Dressing for Later
Store homemade Russian dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
If you can prepare this sauce at least 24 hours before you plan to serve it, go for it! It develops a deeper flavor as the ingredients sit together for some time.
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Russian Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon horseradish
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup chili sauce or ketchup
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon dill relish
- ¼ cup minced onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- salt and pepper
Instructions
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Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more horseradish or hot sauce (or both!) if you want a little more kick.
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Use as a spread on sandwiches or burgers, dip, or salad dressing.
