This homemade Catalina dressing recipe is so easy and so tasty that you will want to make it over and over again. Use it to brighten up any fresh garden salad. You could even use it for another simple dish that needs a great tangy sauce, such as taco salad.
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Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe
Catalina Dressing is a deliciously tangy dressing that is somewhere between a French Dressing and a Russian Dressing. While very similar to Russian Dressing, Catalina is more of a sweet and sour version from the addition of apple cider vinegar and sugar. Catalina dressing is sometimes used for other meals besides a basic salad such as Taco Salad.
I love making homemade dressings because they make my salad taste so fresh, no matter what time of year it is! I think I especially love it in winter because a fresh salad in the middle of winter always reminds me of warmer, sunnier summer days. How about you?
Summer, winter, spring or fall, this Catalina dressing can be made and enjoyed any time of year just by combining a few simple pantry ingredients. And it always tastes like it was just fresh-picked from the garden!
Ketchup. This will provide the tomato base for this dressing. If you don’t have any from the store, you can always use Homemade Ketchup.
Sugar. This dressing is a little sweeter so it needs some added sugar. If you’d prefer not to use white sugar, you can sub out honey instead.
Apple Cider Vinegar. This is a staple in this recipe because it will help to balance out the sweetness and give it that trademark tang. I buy my vinegar by the gallon from Azure Standard. Many recipes call for red wine vinegar. but my recipe uses apple cider vinegar instead because that’s what I usually have on hand.
Onion Powder. This is something I always have on hand! I buy it in a one pound bulk quantity like most of my spices.
Paprika. I don’t tend to use as much paprika around our home, so I just pick this up in a small container when I need it. Paprika will also help give this recipe just a hint of a bite.
Worcestershire Sauce. If you don’t want to go to the store and buy this ingredient, you can useHomemade Worcestershire Sauce.
Salt and Pepper. These are optional, but they give a great little boost to the flavor. Use as much or as little as you’d like.
Vegetable Oil. For this recipe, and for most salad dressing recipes, try to use a mild-tasting olive oil. I usually have Safflower Oil on hand for recipes just like this. You could also use grapeseed oil or maybe even avocado oil. You can use olive oil, but the flavor will be slightly different.
FAQ About Catalina Dressing
What’s the difference between Catalina dressing and French dressing?
French Dressing has celery seeds, and Creamy French Dressing has the addition of half and half or cream, which gives it a different flavor profile. Catalina Dressing uses Worcestershire Sauce to give it a different depth of flavor.
What is a good substitute for Catalina Dressing?
Dorthy Lynch would make a great substitute for Catalina Dressing. The next best substitute would be French Dressing, followed by Russian Dressing.
Why do they call it Catalina Dressing?
Catalina Dressing has many origin stories, just like many recipes. But most believe it originated in the Catalonia region of Spain, giving it its trademark name.
What to Serve With Homemade Catalina Dressing
Chef Salads. A big chef salad is the best with Catalina Dressing! You can make a full meal out of the salad, depending on the toppings you select.
Taco Salad. This was one of my favorites when I was growing up! Basically, all you need to do is put all your taco toppings (lettuce, cheese, crushed chips, chicken, etc) in a large bowl and toss it with Catalina Dressing. So good!
Pasta Salad. This dressing would be great on a cold pasta salad.
As a Burger Sauce. Mix with mayo for a tangy, creamy sauce for burgers!
Use as a Dip. You could use this recipe (or most salad dressing recipes) as a veggie dip as well!
I made this tonight and it is delicious! I added about half a teaspoon of hot honey mustard and poured the oil into the blender slowly while it was running to ensure a good emulsification. Definitely exceeded my expectations.
Lisa, Little House Living reader
Why Make Homemade Catalina Dressing?
One bottle of store-bought Kraft Foods Catalina Dressing currently costs $2.12 at Walmart. While they claim that it has no artificial flavors, the ingredients contain several colors of dye (including red #40), soybean oil, EDTA, and some other items I’m not sure how to pronounce.
Homemade Catalina Dressing costs roughly $1.10 per recipe and contains only ingredients that you can control. Plus, it tastes much fresher!
Instructions to Make Homemade Catalina Dressing
This recipe is as simple as they come. Just place all the ingredients together in the blender. Pulse until everything is mixed together. If you don’t have a blender or don’t want to pull out your blender, you can blend the recipe together by using a whisk instead.
Store the dressing in a container or a jar in the fridge and use over salads or any of your favorite meals. This dressing will stay good for at least a week when stored in the refrigerator. You could freeze extras of this recipe if you make too much to use at one time. Just thaw and reblend it when you remove it to use it again. These Reditainers are my favorite for freezer storage.
I like to store my homemade dressings in a pint-sized mason jar. They even make these really cool Mason Jar Pouring Spouts to make the pouring even easier.
Here’s a recipe for you that sounds really weird but is fabulous. That said, it is not for everyone but try it, you may like it.
Chicken and Sauerkraut – (I know – really weird and What?)
4 boneless chicken breast – tried chicken thighs and it wasn’t the same 1 bag of sauerkraut – drained (if only cans are available use 1 1/2 – 2) 1 bottle Catalina Salad dressing Swiss Cheese – sliced or shredded
Take a casserole dish that will hold your chicken in a single layer and grease it. Put the chicken in the dish, cover with the sauerkraut evenly. Pour the dressing over top making sure to cover the entire layer of sauerkraut. Cover with Swiss cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about an hour until chicken is cooked through.
I serve this with buttered noodles and green beans. Personally I have tried this with other side dishes and vegetables but these two were the best. Hope you enjoy!
Maureen, Little House Living reader
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Catalina Salad Dressing Recipe
This Catalina dressing recipe is so easy and so tasty that you'll want to make it over and over again. Use it to brighten up any fresh garden salad, taco salad or pasta salad!
½TablespoonWorcestershire Sauceyou can use Homemade Worcestershire Sauce
½teaspoonSalt
½teaspoonPepperoptional
½cupmild-tasting Oil
Instructions
Place all the ingredients together in the blender. Pulse until everything is mixed together.
Store the dressing in acontainer or a jar in the fridge and use over salads or any of your favorite meals.
This makes about 1 1/2 cups of dressing.
Recipe Notes
This dressing will stay good for at least a week when stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
Catalina Salad Dressing Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 53Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 0.3g2%
Trans Fat 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Sodium 76mg3%
Potassium 14mg0%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 0.1g0%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 0.05g0%
Vitamin A 34IU1%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 2mg0%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
We use Catalina dressing to make Catalina meatballs – first saute about 2 onions in a pan, and get them nice and carmelized. Then put some meatballs on top of the onions (frozen – either store brand or homemade) and pour over your Catalina dressing. Cover and let simmer until the meatballs are nice and hot. I like to serve this with some egg noodles, but you can serve it with rice, too. I also top my portion with sour cream. So yummy!
Ingrid, Little House Living reader
More Homemade Salad Dressings
Homemade Dorthy Lynch Dressing
Homemade French Dressing Recipe
An Easy Dressing Recipe
Russian Salad Dressing Recipe
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Easy Salad Dressing Recipes
Have you ever made your own Catalina dressing before? Is your recipe the same or different?
Did you make this recipe and enjoy it? Be sure to leave a star rating on the recipe card and share it with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and through Email using the sharing buttons below.
Merissa Alink
Merissa has been blogging about andliving the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from theContact Page.
This Catalina Dressing Recipe was originally published on Little House Living in Dec 2014. It has been updated as ofApril 2024.
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