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

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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.

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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.

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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
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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)

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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!):

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

What is the difference between Ken's Russian dressing and Thousand Island? ›

Both are Russian dressings, but Ken's uses mayonnaise, so it's creamier. Russian dressing is often described as a spicier thousand Island without the pickles. Ken's version fits that description better.

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.

What's a good substitute for Russian dressing? ›

I later found out that Russian Dressing, not the creamy kind you get on Rueben sandwiches, is a very close cousin of Catalina Salad Dressing. Russian Dressing is sometimes difficult to find, so if you love Russian Dressing, try this Homemade Catalina Salad Dressing instead.

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? ›

Create craveable salads and bowls with Kraft Russian Salad Dressing. Our delicious Russian dressing delivers bold flavour that transforms salads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, pasta and more.

Is Catalina dressing the same as Russian? ›

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.

What is Thousand Island dressing called in Germany? ›

In Germany, a similar salad dressing is called "American dressing".

Is Russian salad dressing the same as French dressing? ›

French dressing, while also reddish in color from ketchup and paprika, is more of a traditional vinaigrette with a base of oil and vinegar. Russian dressing is spicier and more piquant thanks to the addition of chili sauce, horseradish, and hot sauce.

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

Key Ingredients in Russian Dressing
  • Mayonnaise: Use your favorite store-bought brand or make your own.
  • Ketchup-style chili sauce: Such as Heinz Chili Sauce (we also have a homemade version!).

How long does Russian dressing last? ›

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, relish, horseradish, and shallot. Whisk well, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. The dressing will keep nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What is the difference between French and Catalina dressing? ›

The basic distinction between the two is that Catalina contains more ketchup, less oil, and usually fewer spices than French dressing, making for a deeper red-orange color. Because French dressing has more oil, it tends to taste creamier and look a paler shade of orange.

Is Russian dressing just Thousand Island? ›

The ingredient that differentiates Russian dressing from Thousand Island is—drumroll, please—horseradish. When you have Russian dressing accenting a hearty sandwich like a Reuben, the horseradish can be hard to detect, especially when you've got the sharp, funky flavors of sauerkraut to contend with.

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".

Do they eat Russian dressing in Russia? ›

The sweet, eggy, tomatoey condiment that goes great on French fries or burgers is an American concoction. So, Russian dressing isn't Russian. That's all well and good.

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