Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (2024)

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben sandwiches is creamy, tangy and slightly spicy with a mild kick of horseradish. It really is the perfect condiment for a Reuben Sandwich and more!

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (1)

Ok, What is Russian Dressing?

Russian dressing is a salad dressing that has a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor. It is made with a base of mayonnaise, horseradish, shallots, paprika, chili garlic sauce, and Worcestershire sauce…a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors! It’s a versatile condiment that is great on a Reuben sandwich, on salads, as a dip for veggies, crab cakes or chicken wings. The possibilities are endless with this dressing!

Russian Dressing vs Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island dressing vs Russian salad dressing…they do have some similar ingredients and are both often used on Reuben Sandwiches. The addition of horseradish and chili garlic sauce (or cayenne pepper or hot sauce) give Russian dressing a unique, spicier flavor profile that sets it apart from Thousand Island dressing. Thousand Island dressing is typically sweeter and has a slightly tangy flavor from the sweet pickle relish.

Russian Dressing vs French Dressing

When comparing Russian dressing vs French dressing, French dressing is made with oil, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, onion, & spices, plus mayonnaise. The taste is a sweet and tangy tomato flavor. Russian dressing is very similar in taste with the addition of horseradish and spicy chili garlic sauce, hot sauce or cayenne pepper.

Catalina dressing vs French dressing…Catalina is considered a French salad dressing with the biggest difference being it is a thinner dressing and brighter red in coloring because of the increase in the amount of ketchup used.

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (2)

How To Make Russian Dressing

For full recipe details, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is what you can expect when making this recipe:

Combine Dressing Ingredients

In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, prepared horseradish, minced shallot, Worcestershire sauce, paprika and salt/pepper. Whip together until smooth. Place in the fridge until ready to use.

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (3)

Make Ahead + Storing Russian Dressing

You can make this creamy Russian Dressing a day or two ahead of when you want to use it. Store dressing in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. I don’t recommend freezing this dressing because it has mayonnaise. Freezing would change the texture to grainy and separate…aka not be very good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Russian dressing need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Always cover your Russian dressing and store in the fridge. Doing so will maintain the quality taste of the dressing.

What else can I use this Russian dressing on?

So many things! The first is of course a Reuben Sandwich! Other ideas for your Russian dressing are crab cakes, fries, salads, burgers and chicken!

More Dressing Recipes to Try!

  • Remoulade Sauce
  • Tartar Sauce
  • Caesar Avocado Dressing
  • Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
  • High Protein Ranch Dressing
  • Charred Tomatillo Dressing
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (4)

The printable recipe card is below. Be sure to save, print, bookmark or share this recipe! Have a great day, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you wouldgive it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (5)

PrintPrint Pin ItPin It

Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben

This Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben sandwiches is creamy, tangy and slightly spicy…the perfect condiment for a Reuben Sandwich and more!

servings 4

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combinelemon juice, mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, prepared horseradish, minced shallot, Worcestershire sauce, paprikaandsalt/pepper. Whip together until smooth. Place in the fridge until ready to use.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 382mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Irish, Russian

Keyword: Russian Dressing

How to Make Reuben Sandwiches

For full recipe details, including ingredients needed and measuremaents, see the printable recipe card down below. This is an easy recipe, but here is step by step what you can expect when making a Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Russian Dressing (aka Reuben sauce recipe!):

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (6)

Preheat Large Skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Assemble the Corned Beef Sandwiches

Butter one side of each slice of bread (just on the outside of the bread). Spread Russian dressing on the other side of both slices of light or dark Rye bread. Evenly divide and layer slices of Swiss cheese, corned beef and tangy sauerkraut on four of the slices of Rye bread on top of the Russian dressing. Top with other four pieces of bread, butter side out.

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (7)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (8)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (9)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (10)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (11)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (12)

Grill the Sandwiches

Place each sandwich in pan and grill until golden brown and cheese begins to melt…about 4 minutes. Flip over and brown other side another 3-4 minutes, keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

Note: If you have a Panini Press, that would also work great for grilling a reuben sandwich.

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (13)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (14)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (15)

Serve!

Remove from heat, cut sandwiches in half and serve with potato chips and dill pickles on the side! French fries or potato salad would also be great side dishes to this grilled sandwich.

The flavor of the caraway seeds in the Rye bread and the delicious corned beef, tart sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and of course the tangy dressing are what make this classic sandwich such a super star in restaurants everywhere. Now you can have it in your own kitchen!!

Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (16)
Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben - Lauren's Latest (2024)

FAQs

What is Russian dressing now called? ›

In the United States, Russian dressing has largely been supplanted by Thousand Island dressing, which is sweeter and less spicy than Russian. Other combinations of mayonnaise and ketchup, but without the spicy ingredients, are known as fry sauce or other names, and typically served with French fries or tostones.

How do you make Russian dressing vs Thousand Island? ›

The key distinction between the two spreads lies in their flavor profiles. Russian dressing features horseradish and chili pepper, making it spicy. Sweet pickle relish is a key ingredient in Thousand Island dressing, which makes it sweet.

What is Russian salad dressing made of? ›

Russian dressing is a creamy, slightly spicy, salmon-hued spread made from mayonnaise, ketchup, sour cream, prepared horseradish, and dill relish.

What is closest to Russian dressing? ›

Thousand Island. Though Thousand Island dressing and Russian salad dressing are very similar, and both are often used on Reuben Sandwiches, there is a difference between them. Russian dressing is more on the spicy side, getting a kick from both horseradish and the hot sauce.

What is Ken's Russian dressing? ›

Ken's Deluxe Russian Dressing is a creamy, full-bodied delight. The perfect blend of sweet ketchup, mayonnaise, and relish with mild spicy notes from chili sauce and red bell pepper. A flavor-forward Russian dressing with sweetness and tang. Adds big-time taste to any house salad, signature salad, or Reuben sandwich.

Is Kraft making Russian dressing? ›

Kraft Russian Dressing is made with a rich creamy texture and a delicious sweet tomato tang that is sure to please. Incredibly versatile, you can use Kraft Russian Dressing to top your favourite salads, as a marinade for chicken, or as a dip for vegetables such as carrots or broccoli – the possibilities are endless!

Which of the following might one find as the two main ingredients in Russian dressing? ›

Russian dressing is a condiment made from mayonnaise and ketchup-style chili sauce or ketchup and, depending on the recipe, a variety of other ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and paprika.

Does a Reuben have Russian or Thousand Islands? ›

It doesn't matter where you are in America, if you spot a Reuben on the menu and order it, chances are it will have the following ingredients: Toasted rye bread. Russian dressing (sometimes Thousand Island dressing) Sauerkraut.

What is the difference between Catalina and Russian dressing? ›

Russian dressing typically contains mayonnaise and horseradish. Together, these two ingredients give Russian dressing a much more decadent creaminess than Catalina Dressing. In contrast, Catalina Dressing contains vegetable oil and vinegar, which thin the dressing and make it less rich and more pourable.

Is a Reuben made of Russian dressing? ›

Sauce – A traditional Reuben sandwich uses creamy Russian dressing for the sauce, but Thousand Island dressing is another popular option that tastes really similar, albeit slightly sweeter with a bit less kick than Russian dressing.

Is California French dressing the same as Russian dressing? ›

A. A French dressing is rooted in oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, ketchup, minced shallot or garlic, sugar, and paprika. On the other hand, the Russian dressing mainly comprises mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, minced onion, pickle horseradish, and paprika.

What are the ingredients for Russian salad? ›

Chop potatoes and carrot. Peel and chop eggs. Mix potatoes, carrot, eggs, pickles, peas, ham, and dill together in a large bowl. Stir in mayonnaise until salad is evenly coated.

Can I use Thousand Island instead of Russian dressing? ›

Thousand Island is typically the milder of the two dressings, but it can also have a dash of hot sauce. Russian dressing can also sometimes include diced pickles just like its counterpart. In fact, the names of these two sauces are sometimes used interchangeably.

What else is Russian dressing called? ›

Russian dressing is generally a ketchup and mayo mix, regularly used to marinate BBQ and to have grilled chicken wings with in Russia. Although nobody calls it a Russian dressing. It is known as ketchunaise or 'pink sauce'.

How long does Russian dressing last? ›

Unopened, Russian dressing can last from 12-18 months depending on the printed 'best by' date. Once opened and refrigerated, it should stay fresh up to 1 month past the printed date, or up to 2 months if stored properly. If you freeze Russian dressing, it can maintain quality for up to 6 months.

Is there another name for Russian dressing? ›

Russian dressing is generally a ketchup and mayo mix, regularly used to marinate BBQ and to have grilled chicken wings with in Russia. Although nobody calls it a Russian dressing. It is known as ketchunaise or 'pink sauce'.

What is a traditional Russian dress called? ›

There are two major types of Russian ethnic dress: the sarafan and the poneva. A sarafan is a loosely fitting long jumper dress worn over a long linen shirt and belted.

What is another name for Thousand Island dressing? ›

Thousand Island dressing is widely used in fast-food restaurants and diners in the United States, where it is often called "special sauce" or "secret sauce".

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 5683

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.