Name: Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (75g) raw cashews; 1/2 cup (120g) water; 6 tablespoons (90g) ketchup; 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh lemon juice; 1–2 tablespoons (10–20g) raw finely diced white onion; 1/4 teaspoon regular paprika; 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 2 tablespoons (20g) sweet pickle relish (reserve 1 tablespoon to stir in after blending)

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This Vegan Thousand Island Dressing is a creamy, bold, and tangy salad dressing made without mayo or oil—perfect for plant-based eaters and anyone looking for a lighter, dairy-free option. It’s thick, flavorful, and slightly sweet with just the right balance of zing, making it ideal for salads, sandwiches, burgers, or veggie dipping.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No mayo, no oil: Totally whole food plant-based and lighter than traditional dressings.

Creamy and satisfying: Thanks to blended cashews for a rich, smooth texture.
Versatile: Works as a salad dressing, sandwich spread, or dip.
Bold flavor: Sweet pickle relish, ketchup, and lemon juice add tang and zest.

Easy to make: Just blend and stir—ready in 10 minutes (with a high-speed blender).
Meal prep-friendly: Keeps well in the fridge for a week.
Customizable: Adjust salt, sweetness, or heat to your taste.
Kid-friendly: Mild, creamy, and familiar taste.
No additives or preservatives: 100% homemade.
Freezer-friendly: Great for batching and saving for later.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

½ cup raw cashews
½ cup water
6 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1–2 tablespoons finely diced white onion
¼ teaspoon regular paprika
¼ teaspoon dried mustard
¼ teaspoon fine salt
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (reserve 1 tablespoon to stir in after blending)

Directions

Soak the cashews (if needed)
If you don’t have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, soak the raw cashews in water for 8–12 hours. Drain and rinse before using. This helps ensure a silky smooth dressing.
Blend the ingredients
In a high-speed blender, add the soaked cashews (or raw, if using a powerful blender), water, ketchup, lemon juice, onion, paprika, dried mustard, salt, and 1 tablespoon of the relish. Blend on high until completely smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Add texture
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of relish by hand. This adds the classic Thousand Island texture and extra bite.

Taste and adjust
Taste the dressing and adjust salt or sweetness if needed. Add a pinch of cayenne if you like a little kick (optional).
Chill or serve
The dressing can be enjoyed immediately if your ingredients were cold, or chill for 30–60 minutes before serving.
Serve
Use as a salad dressing, veggie dip, or sandwich spread.

Servings and timing

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes (plus soaking time if needed)

Variations

Spicy version: Add cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.

Smoky twist: Add a touch of smoked paprika.
Tangier flavor: Increase lemon juice or add a splash of apple cider vinegar.

Smoother texture: Blend all of the relish in for a completely smooth dressing.
Low-sodium: Use reduced-sodium ketchup or adjust salt to taste.

Add herbs: Mix in a little dried dill or fresh chives for an herby note.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Keep in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months in a sealed jar or container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and whisk to restore texture.

Reheating: This dressing is meant to be served cold and does not require reheating.

FAQs

Do I have to soak the cashews?

Only if you don’t have a high-speed blender. Soaking ensures they blend smooth in standard blenders or food processors.

Can I substitute something for cashews?

Yes, you could try raw sunflower seeds or silken tofu, though the texture and flavor may differ slightly.

Is this dressing gluten-free?

Yes, as long as your ketchup and relish are gluten-free, the entire recipe is gluten-free.

Can I use store-bought relish?

Absolutely. Just check the label for added sugars or preservatives if you're following a clean eating plan.

How long will it last in the fridge?

Up to 7 days when stored properly in an airtight container.

What if my dressing is too thick?

Add a tablespoon of water at a time and blend until you reach your desired consistency.

What does this go well with?

Salads, veggie wraps, grain bowls, burgers, sandwiches, and as a dip for fresh vegetables.

Is this dressing kid-friendly?

Yes! It’s mildly sweet and creamy, which makes it a hit with kids.

Can I reduce the sweetness?

Use less ketchup or choose a no-sugar-added version to lower the sweetness.

Can I make it nut-free?

Yes, substitute raw sunflower seeds or try silken tofu for a nut-free version.

Conclusion

This Vegan Thousand Island Dressing (No Mayo!) is creamy, tangy, and deliciously dairy-free. Whether you're dipping veggies, dressing a salad, or topping a sandwich, it brings bold flavor and a wholesome twist to classic comfort food. With no oil, no eggs, and no fuss, it's a dressing you’ll keep coming back to again and again.