If you’re looking for a fresh, tangy dressing to spice up your salads, Catalina salad dressing is a great choice. Catalina salad dressing is a sweet and tangy red dressing made from vinegar, tomato paste, and spices, giving your salad a bold and tasty flavor.
This post may contain affiliate links.
This dressing is perfect if you want something different from your usual ranch or Italian. It works well not just on salads but also as a dip or sauce for other dishes. You might be surprised how much it can brighten up simple meals.
Related Recipe: Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe for Fresh and Zesty Salads
All About Catalina Salad Dressing
Catalina salad dressing is known for its bright red color and sweet, tangy taste. It’s a popular choice if you want a flavorful dressing without a lot of added mess.
Related Recipe: Russian Salad Dressing Recipe Easy and Creamy Homemade Dressing Guide
What Is Catalina Salad Dressing?
Catalina dressing is a type of salad dressing with a smooth, pourable texture. It belongs to the “French dressing” family but is sweeter and less spicy. You’ll often find it in American grocery stores bottled and ready to use.
It’s great on green salads, but also works well as a dip or a topping for grilled chicken. People like it because it adds color and a little zing to everyday meals.
Related Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Honey Mustard Dressing
Key Ingredients and Flavors
The main ingredients in Catalina dressing usually include vinegar, sugar, tomato paste, and oil. These create its sweet and tangy flavor with a slight tomato taste.
You might also see onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in recipes. These add extra flavor but keep the dressing simple and clean. The red color comes mostly from tomato paste or food coloring.
Sweetness is balanced by vinegar to give it a nice sharpness. This mix makes it taste fresh but not too sour.
Related Recipe: Asian Slaw with Sesame Dressing: A Fresh and Flavorful Side Dish
Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe
Making Catalina dressing at home is easy. You’ll need:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Taste and adjust sugar or vinegar if needed. Keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
Homemade versions let you control sweetness and spiciness, so you can fit it to your preferences.
Ways to Enjoy Catalina Salad Dressing
You can use Catalina dressing on many types of salads, especially those with fresh veggies and bold flavors. It also works great in different dishes if you want to try something new and tasty.
Best Salads for Catalina Dressing
Try Catalina dressing on a classic garden salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. The sweet and tangy flavor pairs well with crunchy veggies.
It also goes well on salads with grilled chicken or turkey, adding a nice kick without being too spicy. For fruit salads, a light drizzle complements apples, grapes, and mixed greens perfectly.
You can even use it on pasta salads with ingredients like bell peppers, black olives, and cheddar cheese. The sweet, tangy taste livens up simple pasta dishes and keeps them fresh.
Creative Uses Beyond Salads
You can use Catalina dressing as a dip for fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers. It adds a sweet and zesty flavor that is different from traditional dips.
Try it as a marinade for chicken or shrimp to give your grilled dishes a bright, tangy taste. Just coat and let it sit for 30 minutes before cooking.
You can also add a spoonful to sandwiches or wraps instead of mayonnaise. It gives your lunch a tasty twist and keeps it light. Cataline dressing works well as a sauce for tacos or burgers too.
Follow my salad dressings board on Pinterest.