For venison Reubens, etc.
Less “meh” than Thousand Island.
Less “meh” than Thousand Island.
Russian and Thousand Island have the same base, but are anchored by different high notes. The competing notes are sweet pickle relish for Thousand Island, and horseradish for Russian. For most salads I prefer Thousand Island. But for Reuben sandwiches, it is 100% Russian — no contest.
HOWEVER, though many Thousand Island offerings on the grocery shelves are great, so far I have not found a Russian dressing that competes with this super-simple recipe.
Don't be alarmed by the horseradish and hot sauce ingredients — there is not enough to bother anybody. Bumping up the amount of horseradish is fine if you have the right audience. But more hot sauce would be out of place.
HOWEVER, though many Thousand Island offerings on the grocery shelves are great, so far I have not found a Russian dressing that competes with this super-simple recipe.
Don't be alarmed by the horseradish and hot sauce ingredients — there is not enough to bother anybody. Bumping up the amount of horseradish is fine if you have the right audience. But more hot sauce would be out of place.

Servings |
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped or grated onion — White or yellow. But not sweet.
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup-style chili sauce — or ketchup in a pinch
- 4 teaspoons prepared horseradish — The stuff from the cold section, not the "horseradish sauce" from the condiment aisle.
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce — I go with Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- to taste salt
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Turn the diced onion into a rough paste using a mortar and pestle, or pressing with a large heavy knife sideways to mash. You don't have to get crazy with this step, a little texture is fine. Try not to let much juice escape.
- Transfer the onion paste to a bowl and whisk in the remaining ingredients.
- Whisk in salt to taste.
- DO AHEAD OF TIME: Can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
SPECTACULAR on Reuben Sandwiches, especially if made with Corned Venison or Venison Pastrami.
View online at KillerNoms.com/russian
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