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Home › Recipes
8 Comments

Homemade Smoky Catalina Dressing

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jul 9, 2023

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This post may contain affiliate links.

We all feel good about serving a delicious salad. But nothing amps up the tasty factor like a homemade dressing. This Homemade Smoky Catalina Dressing is so easy to make and adds layers of flavors that the store bought stuff just can’t touch.

Jar full of homemade Catalina dressing


What You Need To Make Homemade Catalina Dressing

  • ketchup
  • red wine vinegar
  • olive oil
  • sugar
  • minced onion
  • paprika
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • garlic
  • salt, pepper, cumin

USE THIS RECIPE TO MAKE: Retro Catalina Taco Salad with Fritos (or Doritos)

Catalina Dressing ingredients in a mixer.

I used to be in the “why bother making your own dressing” camp. I thought it would be way more trouble than just picking up a bottle at the store. And while I do still pick up the occasional bottle, I’ve learned that homemade dressing not only tastes better, but it’s super easy.

A few ingredients and a few pulses in the food processor is all it takes to have a fresh ‘house made’ salad dressing every time!

Overhead view of mason jar full of freshly made Catalina Dressing.

And if you love that classic Catalina Taco Salad, well, you’re in for a special treat! This homemade dressing will make your family crazy for it!

Jar full of homemade Catalina dressing

Homemade Smoky Catalina Dressing

Make your own classic sweet and tangy Catalina Dressing with just a touch of smoky savoriness!
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • Âľ C olive oil
  • ½ C ketchup
  • ½ C red wine vinegar
  • ½ C sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon minced onion, dried
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic, fresh or jarred
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ÂĽ teaspoon salt & black pepper, each
  • pinch cumin
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients except olive oil to food processor.  Pulse until all ingredients are well blended.
  • Gradually add olive oil and pulse until dressing is emulsified.  Serve.
Jar full of homemade Catalina dressing
Did you make my Homemade Smoky Catalina Dressing?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Make your own sweet and tangy Catalina Dressing with a touch of smoky savoriness for your salads.  An easy recipe that's perfect for taco salads and so much more!  #saladdressing #Catalina #tacosalad #oliveoil #southerndiscourse

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Filed Under: Recipes, Salads, Sauces & Dressings

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Comments

    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoVonnice

    February 16, 2019 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to begin receiving your delicious looking recipes!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 16, 2019 at 4:35 pm

      Welcome, Vonnice! I am so glad to have you in our community! I hope that you’ll love it.

      Reply
  2. Avatar photoCarol

    February 17, 2019 at 7:19 am

    I would also use smoked paprika for that smoky flavor if using on taco salad.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 17, 2019 at 11:36 am

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  3. Avatar photoDeb

    October 26, 2021 at 1:24 am

    How long does the dressing keep in the fridge??

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 28, 2021 at 10:01 am

      Hi, Deb! If covered tightly and all ingredients don’t have impending expiration dates, it should last around 4-5 weeks!

      Reply
  4. Avatar photoJanet

    April 12, 2023 at 4:44 pm

    Are the minced onion and minced garlic fresh or dried?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      April 15, 2023 at 1:15 pm

      Hi, Janet!
      The minced onions are dried and the garlic is fresh or jarred. Hope that helps! Enjoy!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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