The Pantry Dressing That Pairs Perfectly With Tender Shrimp

Shrimp is a versatile, tasty shellfish that is equally as delicious as an entree — say, surf and turf or a fried shrimp po'boy — as it is alone as an appetizer. High in protein and low in fat, it is also a relatively healthy food.

Whether you purchase shrimp fresh at a fish market or frozen at the grocery store, there are plenty of ways to prepare it, from poaching or grilling to frying or sautéing. There are also numerous ways to pair it with other delicious foods, perhaps skewered on a kebab with veggies and grilled, marinated in citrus and served in a ceviche, sautéed with garlic and butter in a shrimp scampi, or tossed into cobb salad alongside bacon, tomato, and boiled eggs.

One flavor pairing for shrimp may stand out and is probably not what you're considering. Put down the cocktail sauce because there is a new dipping sauce in town, and you probably already have ingredients.

Thousand Island dressing is the secret sauce to make shrimp pop, according to Alexis deBoschnek, via Kitchn. The mayo-based, creamy, tangy dressing adds an extra oomph to salty shrimp, making them an excellent duo.

DeBoschnek recommends serving the dressing with poached shrimp. To make it, start with a pot of cold water and add 4 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, the peel and juice from 1 lemon, and ½ cup dry white wine. Bring that to a boil to let the flavors infuse, then add the shrimp. Remove the pot from heat and let the shrimp sit for about three minutes, then drain and transfer to an ice bath. After 10 minutes, drain the ice bath.

As for the dressing, if you have a half-used bottle of Thousand Island resting on the shelf of your fridge door, you are already set. You likely already have the ingredients if you prefer to make your own. DeBoschnek's recipe for homemade Thousand Island features ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles, and 2 teaspoons champagne, white wine, or distilled white vinegar. It should last about three days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Thousand Island dressing, named after the chain of islands between northern New York and Canada, is one of those sauces that makes any salad or sandwich extra savory. And, just as shrimp doesn't need to be limited to cocktail sauce, Thousand Island dressing does not need to be limited to Reubens.

If you've made a Reuben or another recipe that specifically called for Thousand Island dressing, there's a chance you have a half-used bottle sitting around somewhere. Most dressings should be used within two months of opening, so it's a good idea to use them before that point and clear out the fridge periodically.

You can get creative if you want other uses for Thousand Island dressing. Try it on steak, hard-boiled eggs, or corn on the cob. Another excellent choice is a burger since many people allege that the secret sauce on fast food restaurant burgers is just a version of Thousand Island dressing. We'd recommend trying it with a juicy smash burger; start with fist-sized balls of high-fat ground beef, then smash them into sautéed onions until they're cooked. Serve on a bun dressed with Thousand Island.