This easy 1960s catalina dressing recipe It's sweet, sour, spicy and everything in between.
It really is the best addition to any salad, from chicken and kale to quinoa and even pasta.
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As you may have guessed, it was big in the '60s, when wedge salads were all the rage.
From its bright red hue and thick consistency to the fantastic flavors, it's obvious why this dressing was (and still is) so loved.
With a perfect combination of ketchup, sugar, vinegar, oil, onion, and seasonings, this Catalina dressing is definitely worth a comeback.
Easy Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe
Say goodbye to bottled Catalina and hello to homemade!
This recipe is so incredibly delicious and easy, you'll never want to buy it from the store again.
Plus, it's so tasty you'll want to use it on everything.
I like it in taco salads, but it's also great as a marinade for meats or as a sauce for your favorite fried foods.
With just seven ingredients, which are mostly basic seasonings, this dressing can be made any time, any day.
Aside from grating the onion, there is almost no effort required – the food processor does all the work.
So, what are you waiting for? Let's do it!
What is Catalina dressing?
Catalina dressing is a salad dressing typically used on wedge salads. A combination of sweet, spicy and mild spices, it is a great way to flavor otherwise bland ingredients. It doesn't have a clear origin story, but many believe it was inspired by the Catalonia region of Spain because of the bold flavors.
There are also those who believe that Catalina dressing is an invention of Kraft Foods.
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While the brand initially began as a cheese-making company, it expanded into bottled dressings in 1925.
Catalina Dressing vs. French dressing
While they have similar flavors and ingredients, they are not exactly the same.
Authentic French dressing has an oil and vinegar base flavored with mustard and seasonings. However, its bottled version is creamy with a light orange hue.
Catalina dressing is a type of French dressing, but it has a much brighter, redder hue due to the ketchup. It is also a little thinner in consistency.
What is the Catalina dressing made of?
- Ketchup – A classic Catalina dressing has sweet and tangy tomatoes as a base. Since it makes up a big part of the flavor of the dressing, use whatever ketchup you really like.
- Sugar – This dressing is on the sweet side. Of course, you can add more or less sugar to your liking.
- red wine vinegar – Provides a tart contrast to the sweet and creamy dressing.
- Onion – Grate it, don't cut it! Grating releases the onion juices, which makes the dressing much tastier.
- Peppers – To season the dressing.
- English sauce – Gives the dressing a unique umami flavor.
- Oil – A classic dressing ingredient, the oil gradually mixes with the ingredients to make a thick sauce. Grapeseed, olive, canola, avocado, and vegetable oil are excellent options.
- Salt and pepper – Just a pinch, or to taste.
How to make Catalina dressing
Step 1: Blend all the ingredients except the oil.
Add the ketchup, sugar, red wine vinegar, grated onion, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika to your food processor or blender. Pulse ingredients until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Add the oil.
While the food processor is still running, gradually pour in the oil. This will thicken the dressing and make it nice and creamy, even without using milk or cream.
If you do it right, you will create a homogeneous mixture, not one with the oil and other liquids separated.
Step 3: Season to taste.
Add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix. Keep adding until you get the desired flavor.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Catalina Salad Dressing
- The recipe calls for grated onion, not chopped or chopped. Grating releases more of that sweet and spicy onion flavor, which is essential in this recipe.
- You will need to use a food processor or blender for Catalina dressing, unlike other sauces and dressings that you can make by blending ingredients. Blending allows liquids and oil to emulsify better, creating a creamy, homogeneous mixture.
- Don't add the oil right away. Instead, mix the rest of the ingredients first until fully incorporated. Then, while the processor is still running, gradually pour in the oil.
- The key to a perfect salad is the ratio between the mixes and the dressing.. It will be useless if you put too much or too little. The best way to do this is to pour the dressing gradually and stop until you get the desired flavor.
- Store Catalina dressing in an airtight container, such as a bottle with a lid or jar, and refrigerate for up to a month. If you don't store it properly, it will go bad much faster.
- flavor variations:
- This dressing becomes sweeter as it sits. If you're not a fan of sweet dressings, start with less sugar. Taste the dressing and simply add more if needed.
- Give a special touch to your dressing with red pepper flakes added or more paprika. You could even add a dash of hot sauce if you like it spicier.
- Mix with bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles into your salad for more layers of flavor. Feta works well too.
- Add a clove of garlic for a more intense flavor. Give it a blitz in the food processor before adding the other ingredients. You can also use garlic powder.
Ingredient exchanges
This recipe is pretty perfect, but there are a few changes you can make in a pinch:
- Swap sugar for Splenda. You can also try honey, but keep in mind that you will be able to taste it in the dressing. Also, feel free to adjust the measurement according to your taste.
- Swap the red wine vinegar for cider vinegar. Other options include white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar.
- Swap the onion for 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. It may not seem like much, but a little goes a long way.
- Change the paprika for sweet or smoked paprika. This will give the dressing a different flavor profile.
Where to use Catalina dressing
The most obvious choice is taco salad, but there are plenty of other ways you can incorporate Catalina dressing into your meals.
I suggest you double the recipe and use the leftovers for:
- Marinade for meats.
- Dip or Sauce.
- In addition to chips and wraps, Catalina dressing also pairs wonderfully with:
More recipes for sauces and dressings that you will love
Texas Roadhouse Caesar Dressing
arby sauce
Outback Ranch Dressing
Wingstop Ranch Recipe
Arby's Horse Sauce
