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This Easy Russian Dressing is a fast classic salad dressing or spread for sandwiches. Its tangy flavor from red wine vinegar, ketchup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white onion, and more will have you making it again and again.

Have you ever made a homemade dressing? If not, Easy Russian Dressing is a great recipe to start with. I love making homemade dressing recipes, not only do they taste better than store-bought but you also know exactly what goes in your recipe. For more dressing ideas, try our Basic Homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette or a Creamy Coleslaw Dressing.

A spoon coming vertically out of a jar of salad dressing.

Homemade dressings usually have simple ingredients that you already have on hand like, mayonnaise, ketchup, onion, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. This dressing also makes a great tangy spread for sandwiches too, a real win, win.

We have started a collection of homemade dressings with Homemade Italian Dressing, Homemade Thousand Island Dressing, Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing, Red Wine Vinaigrette, and Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. Each uniquely wonderful and so easy and delicious to whip up!

HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge for you.

Wide Mouth Pint Mason Jars with Lids & Bands | 16-oz | 2-Pack

Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups Combo, Set of 8

Wood Salad Bowl Set

How Do You Make Russian Dressing From Scratch?

Ingredients

Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Red wine vinegar
White onion
Lemon juice
Salt and fresh ground pepper
Worcestershire sauce

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl or jar and stir to combine. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to a week. What? Is it easy to make Russian Salad Dressing? Why haven’t I done this forever? Yup, crazy easy to make at home, isn’t it?

If you would like a spicier version, add in prepared horseradish or chili sauce, or hot sauce. This would be great if you are using it as a spread for a sandwich.

Why Do They Call It Russian Dressing?

Overhead shot looking into a jar of salad dressing with bowls of salad at the top.

Is Russian dressing Russian? Where did the name come from? Its origins in the 1950s had it look very different than it does today.

It was a mayonnaise-based dressing that was tinted pink from poached and pulverized lobster shells, salt, and pepper. Then caviar was added. The addition of caviar could have given it its Russian name.

At times it would contain pickles and Russians love pickles, so maybe that was where the name came from. But it is not a Russian recipe and entirely made up in the US. With the addition of pickles you are starting to head to a Thousand Island dressing, in my opinion.

Russian dressing is what a Reuben sandwich loves to have slathered on it. It is one of the key ingredients besides corned beef. It makes an excellent sandwich spread for other sandwiches, too. You can also use this for a salad dressing or a dip!

What is the Difference Between Russian and Thousand Island Dressing?

Jar of Russian Dressing with some spilling out the front of the jar.

The biggest difference in the two dressings is the addition of dill pickles or pickle relish that is found in Thousand Island Dressing.

We use a little sweet relish in our version of Thousand Island Dressing and it is great to up your burger to a new level. It is different from Big Mac sauce as that is not tomato-based but I like it even better than their sauce.

Your family will rave about having either of these dressings available for your next cookout.

What to Use Russian Dressing On?

Overhead shot of salad in a bowl with Russian Dressing plus more in a jar.

Ideas for Russian Dressing:

As a Russian Salad Dressing.
On a Reuben Sandwich – classic sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread.
On a Rachel Reuben Sandwich – turkey or pastrami and coleslaw, Russian dressing on rye bread.
With other deli meat sandwiches.
Use in a Crab Louie Salad.
Add it to a Burger.
Come up with your own idea for this amazing mayonnaise and ketchup dressing.

Storing this dressing couldn’t be easier than in a lidded jar like this. You can make it up, right in the jar if you like. Fewer dishes and gives you a way to give the salad dressing a good shake, too.

Then just simply refrigerate until you are ready to use it on your sandwich or salad.

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An Easy Russian Dressing like this livens up any salad or Reuben sandwich and is just the kick that is needed. #Russiandressing #saladdressing #Reubensandwich

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Easy Russian Dressing

Tara Noland

This Easy Russian Dressing is great on a Reuben, other sandwiches, burgers, and salad. It only takes minutes to make and keeps for a week in the refrigerator.