Catalina Salad Dressing

Homemade Catalina salad dressing is vibrant, tangy, sweet and comes together in just 5 minutes with a few common pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

A jar of homemade Catalina salad dressing with two bowls of garden salad.

This Catalina Salad Dressing is tangy, sweet, and takes no time to make. All you need is a few common ingredients and a mason jar (or bowl). Honestly, this dressing is so easy and delicious, you’ll have no reason to buy it from the store again.

Just a few common ingredients

Everything you need to make delicious dressing at home:

  • Oil: Vegetable oil offers a neutral base for this dressing. You could also use olive oil or avocado oil, if you prefer.
  • Vinegar: Red wine vinegar bring brightness and tangy acidity.
  • Ketchup: Adds tomatoey sweetness and helps create that vibrant colour.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar enhances the sweetness and balances out the acidity. You could also use honey.
  • Worcestershire: Brings richness and salty umami flavour.
  • Seasonings: Paprika + onion powder + garlic powder + ground mustard + celery seed.
  • Salt: Just a touch of salt for seasoning.
Catalina salad dressing ingredients

How to make Catalina dressing

Follow these two quick steps to make this dressing in 5 minutes!

  1. In a bowl, blender, or mason jar, combine together all the ingredients except the oil. Whisk, blend, or shake until well combined.
  2. Stream in the oil and whisk, blend, or shake until incorporated.

Make it in a mason jar: To make this dressing in a mason jar, use a pint + half (24oz / 750ml) jar or larger. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

A jar of homemade Catalina salad dressing with two bowls of garden salad.

What salad to serve with Catalina dressing

Catalina dressing is positively lovely drizzled over a simple green salad. However, my all-time favourite salad pairing for Catalina dressing is with a Taco Salad. Iceberg or romaine lettuce topped with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese, taco-spiced ground beef, sprinkled with tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and topped with a dollop of sour cream. All of that drizzled with tangy, sweet Catalina dressing, it can’t be beat!

A jar of homemade Catalina salad dressing.
A bowl of garden salad topped with Catalina dressing.

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Catalina Salad Dressing

Homemade Catalina salad dressing is vibrant, tangy, sweet and comes together in just 5 minutes with a few common pantry staples.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 20 oz

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon celery seed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In a bowl, blender, or mason jar, combine together all the ingredients except the oil. Whisk, blend, or shake until well combined.
  • Stream in the oil and whisk, blend, or shake until incorporated.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Mason jar: To make this dressing in a mason jar, use a pint + half (24oz / 750ml) jar or larger. 
Oil: If you’d prefer, substitute the vegetable oil for olive oil or avocado oil.