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!
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.
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.
How To Make Homemade Catalina Dressing
- 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 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!
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…
- drizzled over avocado slices
- as a veggie dip
- brushed over baked chicken
- and as a spicy soup stir-in
So try giving these recipes a go. You’ll be so glad you did!
More Salad Dressing Recipes to Try!
- The Best Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
- Grilled Romaine Salad + Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
- How To Make The Best Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
- Quinoa Salad Recipe with Green Chile Dressing Recipe
- Creamy Garlic Lime Vinaigrette Recipe
- Texas Pete Vinaigrette Recipe
- Paleo Ranch Dressing (+ Homemade Chicken Salad)
- 3-Ingredient Almond Butter Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
- The Perfect Greek Salad Recipe
- Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing Recipe
- The Ultimate Wedge Salad Recipe
- Harvest Salad (Cobb Style) Recipe
- Chunky Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing Recipe
- Fattoush Salad with Grilled Vegetables Recipe
- Roasted Beet Chickpea and Kale Salad Recipe
- Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe from Five Heart Home
Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup honey, or agave
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup grapeseed oil
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
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
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I love this dressing recipe so much! it pairs so well with my taco salad that I make!
Great flavor. Loved this recipe.
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.Â
Very smooth I added a tiny more honey but great taste
flavorful and very satisfactory, especially when you consider I cannot get the original in this part of the world (Viet Nam).
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.
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.
If I can’t find grapeseed oil, what would be a good substitute?
Hi Loretta,
Any time of flavorless oil will work. :)
Very nice, I especially loved the tang and smokiness. Will make again. I added a little extra honey to bring out the sweetness.
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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!
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I’m sure this would be fantastic drizzled over tacos!!Â
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