Catalina dressing is a tangy and sweet condiment, easily recognized by its vibrant red color. The salad dressing works well in both salads and grilled dishes. Try it to add a zesty twist to your recipes.
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Catalina dressing recipe
Catalina dressing is a beloved salad dressing for its unique flavor. It was said to be inspired by the sunny, vibrant atmosphere of Catalina Island off the coast of California. This reminds me of family dinners and summer barbecues.
While Catalina dressing shares similarities with other popular dressings, it maintains its distinct character. Here’s how it compares:
- French Dressing: Catalina is often considered a subset of French dressing but typically has a more pronounced sweetness and a brighter color.
- Russian Dressing: Both contain a tomato base, but Catalina lacks the mayonnaise found in Russian dressing, resulting in a thinner consistency.
- Thousand Island: Catalina is smoother in texture, missing the chopped pickles and other chunky elements characteristic of Thousand Island.
Catalina salad dressing is suitable for various dishes beyond salads. Its sweet and tangy taste pairs beautifully with taco salads, beef salads, and even fruity combos like mandarin oranges or strawberries.
You can also drizzle it over tacos, burritos, or wraps for a delicious twist, or swap it in for ketchup on burgers and sandwiches to mix things up. Even pasta salads can benefit from a splash of Catalina for that perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
It also shines as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, fries, or crisp veggies. Try it as a marinade for grilled chicken or beef, or give your roasted veggies a zesty finish.
This is how to make the Catalina dressing:
Catalina Dressing
Nutrition
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder until smooth.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify.
- Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
SIMILAR RECIPES
Variations
You can try other versions of this salad dressing:
- Creamy Catalina dressing has a smoother, more luxurious texture with the incorporation of mayonnaise or heavy cream. The creaminess softens the tangy notes.
- Catalina Vinaigrette offers a refreshing alternative. This version reduces the amount of oil and increases the vinegar content. It works well on delicate greens and summer salads.
- Spicy Versions add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
- Honey substitution makes a more complex sweetness.
- Herb Additions incorporate finely chopped fresh herbs like basil or oregano.
- Low-calorie versions reduce sugar content and add a touch of stevia for sweetness for a
- Smoky Variation includes a small amount of smoked paprika.