Russian Sauce is a classic sauce that is made up of condiments and spices you’ll find in your refrigerator and pantry. You can make this homemade sauce in minutes using a food processor or blender.
You can’t have a Reuben sandwich without Russian Sauce. My homemade Russian Sauce recipe comes together in minutes thanks to all ingredients that I typically have on hand. I like to make a small batch when I know I’m going to make my Baked Reuben Dip or even a hot pressed Reuben Panini. You can also use the dressing for dipping Oven-Fried Chicken or Air Fryer Chicken Strips.
Russian Dressing Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – It’s important to note you have to use mayonnaise for this recipe and not Miracle Whip!
- Ketchup Style Chili Sauce – This recipe calls for chili sauce. Some might confuse sriracha chili sauce with ketchup-style chili sauce. It is not nearly as spicy! In fact, if you can’t find this style chili sauce you can use ketchup.
- Onion – Thanks to the blender or food processor you won’t have to mince the onion. You’ll only need to do that if you are hand mixing this sauce.
- Sour Cream – A little sour cream adds an additional layer of creaminess to this Russian Dressing.
- Pickle – Half of a standard size dill pickle spear is all you need.
- Parsley – I love to use a little bit of fresh parsley in this recipe to brighten up the sauce.
- Worcestershire – This versatile sauce adds additional umami to the sauce.
- Horseradish – Freshly grated (in a jar) horseradish is what I use. A little gives it just a tiny bite to the ending of the sauce. If you like it spicier add a teaspoon at a time.
- Lemon – A little lemon goes a long way. If you don’t have a fresh lemon you can use a concentrate.
How to Make Russian Dressing
In a large food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise, chili sauce, sour cream, parsley, onion, pickle, lemon juice, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce. Blend until well incorporated for 60 seconds.
Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
FAQs
This recipe yields 1 cup of dressing.
Russian sauce is made of mayonnaise, ketchup-style chili sauce, sour cream, dill pickle, parsley, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish. All ingredients that you have in your refrigerator and/or pantry.
Russian dressing is a mayonnaise based sauce that also has pickle, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce in it. Thanks to those flavor profiles it’s a spicier and less sweeter than Thousand Island.
My recipe for Russian Sauce has dairy in it; however, you can easily omit the sour cream to make it dairy free.
I have had readers ask what they can use Russian Sauce on. We like to use it on Reuben sandwiches, hot Reuben dip, burgers, salads, and anything else your heart desires!
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve found helpful when making this recipe.
- Yield – This recipe yields 1 cup of Russian Sauce.
- Chili Sauce – If you can’t find ketchup-style chili sauce in the grocery store you can use ketchup instead.
- Blender – If you don’t have a high powered blender, you can use a food processor or simply a mortar and pestle to break down the onion and pickle then hand mix the sauce.
- Spicy – If you like your Russian Dressing on the spicier side you can add in an additional 1-2 teaspoons of horseradish.
- Storage – I like to use Weck Jars to store the sauce or even mason jars. Using an air-tight container is key to having the freshest sauce.
Recipes
Hungry for more? Here are a few more of my favorite recipes.
- Summer Vegetable Risotto with Grilled Chicken
- One Pot Chicken Carrot & Potato Skillet
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- One Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
If you make this recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Homemade Russian Sauce
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- ¾ cups mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Ketchup-style chili sauce
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- 2 teaspoon Parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon Minced Onion
- 1 tablespoon minced dill pickle
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon grated horseradish
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise, chili sauce, sour cream, parsley, onion, pickle, lemon juice, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce. Blend until well incorporated for 60 seconds.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Yield – This recipe yields 1 cup of Russian Sauce.
- Chili Sauce – If you can’t find ketchup-style chili sauce in the grocery store you can use ketchup instead.
- Blender – If you don’t have a high powered blender, you can use a food processor or simply a mortar and pestle to break down the onion and pickle then hand mix the sauce.
- Spicy – If you like your Russian Dressing on the spicier side you can add in an additional 1-2 teaspoons of horseradish.
- Storage – I like to use Weck Jars to store the sauce or even mason jars. Using an air-tight container is key to having the freshest sauce.
Nutrition
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Debbie
Can you give me some ideas on what to use the sauce on? It sounds delicious.
Katie
Hi Debbie, We like to use it on Reuben sandwiches, hot Reuben dip, burgers, salads, and anything else your heart desires!
Kay
This is delicious! Can’t wait to use it on Rueben sandwiches. Thanks!
Katie
Thanks Kay for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the homemade russian sauce!
Heather
Hi! I’m so glad I found a recipe without ketchup too! My husband can’t stand it either. I tolerate it but that lingering smell you described of ketchup in the trash, it’s the worst! We always have a rule of tossing fast food in the outside garbage for that reason.
Anyhoo I want to make this recipe but I was wondering, what type of chili sauce do you use? Do you have a brand preference?
Katie
Hi Heather–ketchup haters unite! lol I use the Heinz chili sauce typically.
Cathy Pollak @ Noble Pig
I have serious love for this…slurp..slurp!
Katie
Thanks Cathy!
addie | culicurious
I frequently substitute Sriracha for ketchup. It’s not a 1:1 ratio but it gives the color ketchup would otherwise lend. My hubby hates ketchup too so we rarely (if ever) keep it in the house.
I can’t wait to see your recipes next week!! 🙂
Katie
Addie–YES! So happy to read that there is another ketchup hater out there! We don’t keep ketchup in our house. I refuse. lol.