Catalina French Dressing
Delicious Catalina French Dressing will give your salad the perfect tangy, sweet flavor! It comes together quickly with a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Once you try it, you will want to have it on repeat!
Of course, this Catalina dressing is great on salads like this beef taco salad, but it’s also a great way to jazz up your tacos, wraps, burritos, and sandwiches! Try it drizzled over grilled veggies, too!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
So Tasty! This Catalina French dressing will totally take your salad game to the next level! Its texture is perfectly creamy, and its sweet, savory, and tangy flavors give it the perfect blend. You’re going to love it!
Ready in 10 Minutes! This dressing is so quick to make. Simply, mix all of the ingredients together in a blender or food processor!
Versatile: This homemade salad dressing is great on salads, but it can also be used as a topping for burrito bowls and tacos, as a dip for fresh-cut veggies and chicken tenders, or drizzled over roasted vegetables.
Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe
Get ready to be obsessed with this Catalina French dressing! Store-bought dressings are convenient but never quite what I want them to be. Sometimes, the flavor is just off, or the spices are missing something.
With this recipe, you can make your own Catalina dressing, and let me tell you, it is absolutely perfect every single time. Plus, it’s super easy and takes just minutes to whip together!
Ingredients You Need to Make Catalina French Dressing
This easy Catalina salad dressing recipe has classic ingredients but also a few surprises, like a splash of lemon and some onion. Use it on your favorite salad, and it will be a match made in heaven. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
Ketchup: The base that gives the recipe a zingy flavor with a touch of sweetness.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds delicious tanginess.
Lemon Juice: For the best flavor, use lemon juice freshly squeezed from a lemon.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tangy flavor.
Chopped Onion: Gives this dressing a major kick of flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce: For a deep, complex taste.
Paprika: Gives the dressing a hint of warmth and depth.
Garlic Powder: I can’t resist a little garlic taste in my dressings.
Ground Mustard: Adds a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness and brings out all the other flavors.
Celery Seeds: Just 1 pinch adds great flavor. Don’t skip it!
Oil: Use vegetable oil or another mild oil for consistency.
Salt and Pepper: Enhances and brings all of the flavors of the Catalina French dressing together.
How to Make Catalina French Dressing
Homemade dressings are so easy to make, and this recipe is no exception! Once you see how incredibly tasty it turns out, you will never want store-bought again!
Mix Ingredients: Add all the ingredients except the oil to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
Blend in Oil: Open the pour-in cap on the lid of the blender and, with the blender on low. Then slowly drizzle in the oil until it is completely incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more sugar if you prefer the dressing sweeter.
Recipe Tip
Catalina French dressing tastes better when all of the flavors have had time to meld. I recommend storing it in the fridge for a few hours before you use it.
Blend all ingredients except oil.
Slowly drizzle in the oil.
Blend until smooth.
Catalina French Dressing Variations
This homemade French dressing recipe is super easy to customize! Here are some ideas for ways to change it up and make it perfect for your needs!
Vinegar: You can substitute the red wine vinegar for white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar.
Oil: Instead of vegetable oil, you can use another mild oil, such as olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or soybean oil.
Make it Creamy: For a creamy version, you can add ¼-⅓ cup of mayonnaise to the recipe. Add it in the first step and blend.
Sweetener: You can use honey or maple syrup in place of the sugar. Increase or reduce the amount of sweetener until the dressing reaches the sweetness you prefer.
Serving Option: Use this as a traditional salad dressing, a dressing for pasta salad, or as a dipping sauce! I also love using my homemade dressings as marinades!
How to Store Leftovers
You can make this homemade Catalina French dressing ahead of time! You’ll have delicious dressing for your salads all week long!
In the Refrigerator: Once you make this Catalina French dressing, store it in an airtight container, mason jar, or bottle. Refrigerate it for up to one week. Shake before use.
More Easy Homemade Dressing Recipes
Homemade dressings are always so fresh and delicious! I love coming up with new flavors and variations to take my salad game to the next level. We have a large variety of salad recipes to try! Here are some of our favorite dressing recipes to enjoy drizzled over them.