This Russian Dressing Recipe is an easy homemade salad dressing perfect for a Reuben sandwich or a salad! Made with just 6 classic pantry ingredients.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Russian salad dressing is a tangy, creamy dressing that is commonly used on salads, sandwiches, and as a dipping sauce.
This Russian Dressing sauce is ideal for Reuben sandwiches layered with Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut on slices of rye bread, but also tastes great as a salad dressing or used as a spread. We love to make Reubens with our leftover St. Patrick’s Day food!
Homemade Russian dressing is very fast and easy to make, making it a perfect condiment or spread.
Ingredients
Full quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Let’s talk about what we are using!
Mayonnaise – the base of the recipe. Use any brand you prefer.
Ketchup
Yellow Onion – or white onion
Horseradish – you want to use prepared horseradish, not creamy horseradish sauce. You can find it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store typically near dairy.
Worcestershire Sauce
Paprika
Salt
What does Russian Dressing Taste Like?
Russian salad dressing has a bold and tangy flavor with a creamy texture.
The combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, and vinegar provides a balance of sweetness, tanginess, and richness.
The addition of horseradish and Worcestershire sauce adds depth and complexity to the flavor, with a hint of spiciness.
Modifications and Substitutions
Add some hot sauce for a little heat, or more horseradish.
You can use all sour cream in place of the mayonnaise, or a combination of both, if desired.
Season this Russian Dressing Recipe (for Reuben Sandwich) to taste as desired based on your preference. It tastes best if you give it time to chill for the flavors to blend and develop.
How to Use Russian Dressing
Russian dressing is perfect for the best Reuben sandwich, but it also has many other uses.
Use it as a dipping sauce for French fries, chicken tenders, potato chips, a sandwich spread, or a salad dressing.
It can also be used as the sauce for a potato salad or cole slaw.
The Reuben Sandwich
The Reuben Sandwich is believed to have been invented by American Reuben Kulakofsky.
The classic Reuben sandwich recipe is made of slices of rye bread with tangy sauerkraut, leftover corned beef or pastrami, Swiss cheese, and the dressing on one side of each slice of bread. It is toasted until the cheese melts and is golden brown for a warm sandwich.
FAQs
What is Russian dressing made of?
Russian Dressing is made of a base of mayonnaise, ketchup or chili sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire, and spices.
What is the difference between Thousand Island and Russian dressing for Reuben?
The primary difference between Thousand Island dressing and Russian dressing is that Russian dressing includes horseradish.
Why do they call it Russian dressing?
Russian dressing got its name from the original recipe using caviar, which was a common staple of Russian cuisine at the time.
Is a Reuben still a Reuben without sauerkraut?
Technically a Reuben needs to include sauerkraut, but if you are not a fan you do not need to use it!
More Sauce Recipes
Russian Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon yellow onion minced
- 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish (not creamy)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Season to taste.
- Chill until ready to serve.
