2/24/2020 – This began with Ina Garten’s ratio of 3:1 of mayo to ketchup. Then increased the sweet relish and added 6POGS. There were other changes such as leaving out the capers–at the level she used–that did not seem to add anything other than a little salt. Scroll down to the 7/30/2021 version for what we have made through 2023.
Our Current Recipe for Different Quantities
7/30/2021 – The 10/29/2020 version below had been made every time since then and it is always great but made more than would fit into a large mayo jar. Therefore, on this date, a smaller batch was made with the following quantities that filled the jar that had a smaller amount still in it. There is also the change to commercial fine-grind cayenne pepper that was done for convenience.
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish, squeezed
- 1½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon 6POGS
- 2 tsp prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp fine ground cayenne pepper
About 4/1/2023, we had a large jar of Blue Plate Mayo and wanted to make a double batch so we do not run out so quickly. Doubled the above (7/30/2021) and had about a cup left over once the large mayo jar was filled.
10/29/2020 – Made it like 8/30/2020 and added ½ tsp of dried and ground cayenne pepper from our garden. Here is what went in it. This makes about 2 cups more than will fit into a standard mayo jar.
- 3 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, squeezed
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 heaping tablespoon 6POGS
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon + 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp coarsely ground cayenne pepper from our garden
Note – Our current recipe is closer to Russian Dressing than Thousand Island. What’s the Difference Between Thousand Island and Russian dressing? The paragraphs below are from here.
- Russian dressing is made with a mayonnaise-ketchup base, pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, prepared horseradish, and lemon juice and seasoned with paprika, onion powder, and/or mustard powder. It’s spicier and less sweet than Thousand Island, more complex.
- Thousand Island dressing also has a mayonnaise-ketchup (or chili sauce) base; includes pickle relish and/or other chopped vegetables, such as pimientos, olives, and onions; and has some more rogue, recipe-dependent ingredients thrown into the mix, like parsley, chives, or hot sauce. The big differentiator, however, is the addition of a chopped-up hard-boiled egg, which acts as a thickener and binds the ingredients together.
Recipe Development
The first batch on 2/24/2020
- 3 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2, 1.5″ long minced gherkins
- 4.5 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of 6POGS
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- A heavy shake of fresh ground black pepper
Next time squeeze out some of the juice in the sweet relish to prevent the dressing from being so thin. Then increase the ACV and 6 POGS. Could also try adding MSG.
4/29/2020 – This recipe kicks up the spice and tang with more 6POGS, ACV, and adds horseradish. Forgot the salt but that can be added to the salad when served. Did not squeeze out the sweet relish juice and it is still a bit thin. I do not think squeezing it would have made a significant difference in the consistency.
- 3 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon of 6POGS
- Heavy shake of fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of horseradish
We made a second quart using the above ingredients but then added maybe a tablespoon of Crystal Hot Sauce. It did not add much but there was something there that was good.
5/26/2020 – This recipe kicks up the heat and spice with twice as much 6POGS (therefore leaves out the black pepper) and includes Worchestershire Sauce. So, this one verges on a Russian Dressing with the sauce and horseradish. It made a quart and a cup. It was very good.
- 3 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, squeezed
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon 6POGS
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon Worchestershire Sauce
7/12/2020 – Followed the 5/26/2020 recipe but increased 6POGS to a heaping tablespoon; about a 25% increase. The Worcestershire Sauce was also increased at 1 tsp.
8/30/2020 – Made it like 7/12/2020 but squeezed out the sweet relish better than then. Put it into the large spoon with small holes and pressed it with my hand. The relish was like a cake. As I had just made Sarachi Mayo, and had fresh lemon juice left over, this batch includes maybe 2 tbsp of fresh juice. It made a one-quart bottle and one-half of a quart bottle.
This was very good.
