Russian Dressing

Not-so-Russian after all, Russian dressing is an American staple that goes back many decades to the beginning of the 20th century. Supposedly created in Nashua, New Hampshire, the dressing is a creamy mixture of mayonnaise and seasonings. It has taken on many variations over the years, but has always preserved its pungent and bold flavor, creamy texture, and pinkish appearance. Our easy recipe for Russian dressing takes just 10 minutes to come together, and once you have all the ingredients measured it's just a matter of giving the mixture a good stir. A small amount of prepared horseradish and chili sauce add a kick to our Russian dressing, but if you prefer a milder dressing, use ketchup instead, or go for tomato paste which adds a more concentrated tomato flavor and a hint of sweetness.

This recipe contains eggs from the mayo and fish from the Worcestershire sauce—anchovies are used in the making of most sauces of this type—so be mindful of any allergies present with your guests. To make an egg-free version that can be suited for vegans, swap the traditional mayo for vegan mayo and the Worcestershire sauce for tamari or soy sauce. For a spicier dressing, add hot sauce to taste, or garlic powder or grated onions for extra pungency and texture. Our recipe can be used as a template so you can experiment with the flavors you like the most and the amount of spice that best suits your palate.

Often confused with its close cousin Thousand Island dressing, this recipe has no pickle relish, which is what mainly differentiates the two, besides the fact that Russian dressing is spicier than Thousand Island. This is a great sauce to add to fresh vegetables and salads, but also on sandwiches and wraps. Pour it on cold pasta or potato salads, or serve alongside fries, chips, or baked potatoes wedges. Wherever you need a good smear of savory and creamy flavor, this dressing can give you a hand. The preparation keeps well for up to 2 weeks when kept in an airtight container in the fridge.