A Spicy Perspective

Homemade Catalina Dressing

Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe: This is a creamy, zesty salad dressing recipe that is perfect over taco salads, avocados, or as a dip!

Homemade catalina dressing recipe with avocado

Amazing Catalina Dressing

Today I’m sharing an awesome crunchy salad I call the Ultimate Dorito Taco Salad Recipe tossed with Catalina dressing. But this post will focus on the salad dressing itself…

There is a bottled version of this dressing, and then there’s bold and zesty homemade dressing. I’m sure you can guess which one I suggest using.

This simple salad dressing recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make and is so much better than store-bought dressing. Plus you can adjust the salt, spice, and sweetness to taste to make it exactly how you like it.

combine ingredients in blender

Best Dressing Recipe Ingredients

This recipe only takes 7 ingredients to make! And I bet you have most of them in your pantry right now. If not, get your shopping list ready. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Red Wine Vinegar – This offers a deep tangy taste to the recipe, that offers a better fuller flavor than using regular white wine vinegar.
  • Ketchup – The perfect blend of tomatoes and sugar to make the base. 
  • Honey – You can either use honey or agave! Of course, this adds a sweet flavor to the dressing.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – A salty savory condiment to add depth and intrigue.
  • Smoked Paprika – This adds a smoky flavor to the dressing. Try turning up the heat by using hot smoked paprika.
  • Onion Powder – Get a more concentrated onion flavor by using onion powder.
  • Grapeseed Oil – If you don’t have (or can’t find) grapeseed oil just replace it with any other flavorless oil.
add seasoning to the blender

How To Make Homemade Catalina Dressing

  1. Pour the vinegar, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and onion powder in a blender. Cover and puree.
  2. With the blender running, open the vent in the lid and slowly drizzle the oil into the blender to emulsify. Salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Refrigerate the salad dressing in an air-tight container for up to a month.

See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make Homemade Salad Dressing + VIDEO. Enjoy!

Pour salad dressing into jars

Frequently Asked Questions 

How long Does This Recipe Last?

Since there are a lot of vinegar-based products in this homemade salad dressing recipe, it can last for quite a while in your fridge. One month to be exact! Make sure to place it in an airtight container before chilling.

What Is A Good Replacement For Grapeseed Oil?

If you don’t have (or can’t find) grapeseed oil just replace it with any other flavorless oil. Avocado oil is a great substitute.

What’s the Difference Between French and Catalina Dressing?

Although these two salad dressings are very similar, the general consensus is that French Salad Dressing tends to have little (or even no) tomato products, whilst true Catalina always contains either ketchup or tomato paste. Therefore, Catalina usually has a stronger tangy-sweet flavor. The orange color in the French dressing often comes from ample use of paprika.

What Else Can I Use This Dressing On Other Than Salad?

This homemade recipe is not only fantastic on taco salad, but it’s also great… 

So try giving these recipes a go. You’ll be so glad you did!

mason jar full of amazing catalina dressing

More Salad Dressing Recipes to Try!

Catalina dressing recipe with avocado
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5 from 9 votes
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Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Homemade Catalina Dressing: This is a creamy, zesty salad dressing recipe that is perfect over taco salads, avocados, or as a dip!
Servings: 6 ounces

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pour the vinegar, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and onion powder in a blender. Cover and puree.
  • With the blender running, open the vent in the lid and slowly drizzle the oil into the blender to emulsify. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to a month.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounce, Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 133mg, Potassium: 73mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 235IU, Vitamin C: 0.6mg, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier

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18 comments on “Homemade Catalina Dressing”

  1. Pingback: Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe - Peas and Crayons

  2. Pingback: The BEST Taco Salad Dressing Recipe - ¡HOLA! JALAPEÑO

  3. I love this dressing recipe so much! it pairs so well with my taco salad that I make!

  4. Great flavor. Loved this recipe.

  5. Very delicious. Subbed apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar because I didn’t have any of the latter. I thought it was perfect. Very easy & well-written directions. 

  6. Very smooth I added a tiny more honey but great taste

  7. flavorful and very satisfactory, especially when you consider I cannot get the original in this part of the world (Viet Nam).

  8. Would’ve been perfect with regular paprika but the smoked paprika made it taste essentially like barbeque sauce, not even close to true Catalina dressing.

  9. Great flavor. Love that this recipe used honey instead of sugar. I made this dressing for taco salads and the combination of flavors was fantastic.

  10. If I can’t find grapeseed oil, what would be a good substitute?

  11. Very nice, I especially loved the tang and smokiness. Will make again. I added a little extra honey to bring out the sweetness.

  12. Pingback: Pennsylvania Dutch Hot Bacon Dressing - Bunny's Warm Oven

  13. I don’t think I’d even ever had Catalina dressing, and definitely not if there were other options, but I was making taco salad and came across this recipe. It was so good! Definitely a keeper!

  14. Pingback: Homemade Buttermilk Ranch & 30+ Homemade Dressing Recipes - Will Cook For Smiles

  15. Pingback: 31 Homemade Salad Dressings That Are Way Better Than Store-Bought – Zisolo

  16. I’m sure this would be fantastic drizzled over tacos!! 

  17. Pingback: Ultimate Dorito Taco Salad Recipe - A Spicy Perspective