Russian Tea Room Homemade Russian Salad Dressing: Better Than Store-Bought
There’s something truly special about homemade salad dressings that simply can’t be captured in store-bought versions. Russian dressing, with its creamy texture and distinctive tangy flavor, is particularly worth making from scratch. While many of us have enjoyed this classic dressing from bottles or at restaurant salad bars for years, the homemade version offers deeper flavors and fresher ingredients that will transform your salads and sandwiches. This traditional creamy dressing elevates a simple green salad and is the perfect companion to a classic Reuben sandwich. As a bonus, this recipe is low-carb, making it an excellent option for those following keto or other low-carb eating plans.
Add this site as a preferred Google source!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why This Recipe Works
Unlike mass-produced commercial versions that often rely on artificial ingredients and excessive preservatives, this homemade Russian dressing balances the perfect mayonnaise and chili sauce ratio for that signature creamy tang. Adding fresh vegetables like dill pickle, green pepper, and green onion provides texture and bright flavors that bottled dressings can’t match. The subtle heat from freshly grated horseradish and Tabasco gives this dressing its distinctive character without overwhelming your palate. By using fresh ingredients and allowing the flavors to meld in the refrigerator, you’ll create a more complex and satisfying dressing than anything from the store. The best part? It comes together in minutes with ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – Forms the creamy base of the dressing
- Sour cream – Adds richness and tangy flavor
- Chili sauce – Provides the signature spicy tang that defines Russian dressing
- Fresh lemon juice – Brightens all the flavors with natural acidity
- Dill pickle – Contributes briny crunch and savory depth
- Green bell pepper – Adds fresh crunch and subtle sweetness
- Green onion – Provides mild onion flavor without overwhelming sharpness
- Horseradish – Delivers the characteristic spicy kick
- Worcestershire sauce – Contributes umami depth and complexity
- Tabasco sauce – Adds controlled heat that enhances other flavors
- Sugar – Balances the acidity and spice with a touch of sweetness
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors in the dressing
- Black pepper – Provides subtle warmth and depth
- Paprika – Adds color and mild smoky flavor
- Fresh parsley – Contributes fresh herbal notes and vibrant color
Don’t miss out on our newest recipes. Follow us on Instagram!
How to Make Russian Dressing
- Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
- Blend until thoroughly mixed but do not over blend.
- Refrigerate in a covered jar until serving.
- Stir before using.
Tips For Serving and Storing Homemade Russian Dressing
- Transform chicken into something extraordinary. Combine a half-cup of this Russian salad dressing with 2 cups of cold, leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken for a sweet and tangy chicken salad. Serve as a sandwich or on top of a bed of greens for a light supper.
- Build the best Rueben. A Rueben sandwich is a prime example of something that shouldn’t taste as great as it does. Pastrami or corned beef on toasted rye bread with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese dripping in homemade Russian dressing is something you really have to try at least once.
- Fresh is best, but you can store it in the fridge. Keep cold in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Russian Tea Room Russian Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2/3 cup chili sauce (this is a condiment typically sold near cocktail sauce)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons minced dill pickle
- 1 tablespoon minced green pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced green onion
- 4 teaspoons fine grated fresh horseradish or drained bottled horseradish
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until thoroughly mixed, but do not over blend. Refrigerate in a covered jar until serving time. Stir before using.
Nutrition
Love homemade salad dressing? Try these recipes
- Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
- Bacon Salad Dressing
- Ginger Salad Dressing
- Buttermilk Salad Dressing
- Famous Japanese Salad Dressing
- Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
- New Orleans Salad Dressing
- Pesto Dressing Recipe
- Creamy French Dressing
- Egg Mustard Salad Dressing
- Brown Derby French Dressing
Most Popular Restaurant Salad Copycat Recipes
Check out my easy salad dressing recipes and the best restaurant salad copycat recipes.
This is the first salad dressing I tried to make myself. Incredibly good! One of the best dressings I’ve ever put in my mouth. Can’t recommend this recipe highly enough!
Again I love to make my salad dressing at home. This one is not as simple as the vinaigrette as I usually make but well worth the effort. It was so good! I will be making this one for my company that come instead of buying the bottled stuff at the store.