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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!
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.
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.
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
Yes. Always cover your Russian dressing and store in the fridge. Doing so will maintain the quality taste of the dressing.
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
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 would give 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.
Russian Dressing Recipe for Reuben
Ingredients
- tbsp lemon juice about 1/2 half lemon
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbp chili garlic sauce
- 1/2 tsp prepared horseradish
- 1 tbsp shallot finely minced
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- 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.
Video
Nutrition
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!):
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.
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.
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!!
