Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe (2024)

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Join us as we revisit a beloved classic – Kraft Catalina dressing – with a healthier, homemade twist. Known for its unique blend of tangy and sweet flavors, Catalina dressing has been a staple in kitchens for generations. However, our easy-to-follow recipe elevates this classic condiment by using more wholesome ingredients, offering a more nutritious alternative without compromising on taste. Whether you’re drizzling it over a crisp salad, using it as a marinade, or incorporating it into creative dishes, this healthier version of an easy Copycat Kraft Catalina dressing recipe promises to add a burst of flavor to your meals while aligning with your health-conscious lifestyle.

Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe (1)

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About this recipe

Yum! When I first discovered the original recipe for the copycat of Kraft Catalina Dressing I was super pleased with the end result.

It tasted just like it!

However, it’s REALLY sweet… too sweet if you ask me… I even got a sugar headache from it, and no one should suffer while trying to enjoy a salad.

So, I did what I always do, and tried to make it a bit healthier by doing some recipe development in the kitchen.

I can’t tell a difference, minus the lack of sugar-induced headache.

So, give it a try and see what you think.

I hope you like it too.

To see all of my recipes, go here.
To see all of my kitchen tips and helpers, go here.
To see all of my salad and dressing recipes, go here.

How to make catalina dressing (printable recipe card found here)

Healthier Catalina Dressing Recipe

Ingredients

½ Scant Cup Agave Nectar (or your favorite liquid sweetener)
1 teaspoon Salt
A Pinch of Paprika
½ teaspoon Dried Ground Chili Powder
¼ teaspoon Celery Seeds
¼ teaspoon Dry Mustard
About ¾ Tablespoons Dried Minced Onion
¼ Cup White Vinegar
3 Oz. Tomato Paste
½ Cup Avocado Oil

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a blender.

Put the blender lid on and mix for a minute or two.It’s super easy!

Store in an airtight container inthe refrigerator and shake before eachuse.

Notes

It tastes best when it’s had a few hours for the flavors to blend properly.

*If you think it’s too thick you can blend in a little bit of water.

Also, you can add even less agave if you think it’s still too sweet.*

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Other ways to use this dressing

Here are some other ideas on what you can use this dressing for:

Marinade: It makes a great marinade for meats such as chicken, pork, or beef. The acidity helps tenderize the meat, and the flavors infuse it with a delicious, tangy sweetness.
Dipping Sauce: Use it as a dipping sauce for appetizers like chicken wings, vegetable sticks, or even shrimp.
Glaze: Catalina dressing can be used as a glaze for grilled or roasted meats and vegetables, giving them a caramelized, slightly sweet coating.
Sandwich Spread: It can add a zesty twist to sandwiches or burgers, either as a spread on the bread or as a dressing for the sandwich fillings.
Stir-Fry Sauce: Add it to stir-fries for a sweet and tangy flavor. It can be mixed with other sauces like soy sauce or hoisin for an Asian-inspired dish.
Pasta Salad: Catalina dressing can be an excellent base for pasta salads, mixing well with both vegetables and pasta for a flavorful dish.
Baked Bean Enhancer: Add a bit of the dressing to baked beans for an extra layer of flavor.

Make sure to write me and let me know if there are any other ways you like to use it so that I can add them to the list!

FAQ’s

How long does this dressing stay fresh?

Once I have mixed up a batch of this yummy diy catalina dressing, I keep it in an airtight and refrigerated container for up to one week.

*I will add for questions and answers as they get sent to me.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our journey to recreate the iconic Kraft Catalina dressing in a healthier form has shown that it’s possible to enjoy the flavors we love while making choices that are better for our well-being.

This easy, homemade version not only brings a sense of accomplishment in preparing your condiments but also offers the flexibility to adjust ingredients to suit your dietary preferences.

Whether it’s used as a dressing for vibrant salads, a tangy marinade for grilled meats, or a unique addition to various dishes, this healthier Copycat Kraft Catalina dressing adds a delightful touch to any meal.

By choosing quality ingredients and controlling the nutritent content, we’ve turned a classic favorite into a guilt-free, more nutritious option.

So, the next time you crave that distinct sweet and tangy flavor, remember that a healthier, homemade version (a true catalina salad dressing substitute) is just a few simple steps away, ready to enhance your meals with both taste and wellness in mind.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and supporting my endeavors to make people’s lives a little easier/better/more affordable.

If you liked this post, or found it helpful in any way, please make sure to share it with your family, friends, and co-workers via social media.

Or you could even send them the direct link via email. Whichever way you choose to spread the love, I super appreciate it! ~Sarah

Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe (3)

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Check out my other content

To see all of my recipes, go here.
To see all of my kitchen tips and helpers, go here.
To see all of my salad and dressing recipes, go here.

Here are direct links to some of my fave’s:

All of my salad & dressing recipes

Best Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (Bulk Recipe)

Lemon Berry Fluff Salad

Easy Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe (Video)

From Scratch Homemade Pasta Salad and Dressing Recipe

Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe

Coleslaw Ramen Chicken Salad

Kick-Butt Pasta Salad Recipe

Family Favorite Veggie Salad

*This article/recipe was originally shared to this website in 2012, and has since been updated to remain relevant, add a free printable recipe card, and improve user experience.

Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe (4)

Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe (5)

Easy Copycat Kraft Catalina Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Catalina salad dressing? ›

Most Catalina dressings are made with a blend of ketchup, vinegar, sugar and oil. This recipe gets its zippy flavor from the addition of Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard and a dash cayenne pepper.

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How is Catalina dressing different from French dressing? ›

The basic distinction between the two is that Catalina contains more ketchup, less oil, and usually fewer spices than French dressing, making for a deeper red-orange color. Because French dressing has more oil, it tends to taste creamier and look a paler shade of orange.

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Is Russian dressing the same as Catalina? ›

Russian dressing typically contains mayonnaise and horseradish. Together, these two ingredients give Russian dressing a much more decadent creaminess than Catalina Dressing. In contrast, Catalina Dressing contains vegetable oil and vinegar, which thin the dressing and make it less rich and more pourable.

Keep Reading ›

What dressing is the same as Catalina dressing? ›

Catalina is often considered a subset of French dressing, with most of the same ingredients — ketchup, oil, vinegar, sugar, and other seasonings — but in different proportions. French dressing tends to contain more oil and spices, while Catalina has a higher proportion of ketchup.

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Can diabetics eat Catalina salad dressing? ›

Italian salad dressings and vinaigrettes have about 3 grams of sugar per serving size, honey mustard dressings contain around 7 grams, and Catalina dressings have about 8 grams of sugar. People also tend to use more than the recommended serving size of two tablespoons, which increases the sugar content of the salad.

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Why did they stop making French dressing? ›

FDA revokes rules on manufacture of French dressing after 70 years. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday agreed to revoke the decades-old standard of identity for French salad dressing, saying in part that the outdated requirement “no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing.”

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Is creamy French the same as Catalina? ›

French dressing is generally pale orange and creamy, while Catalina French dressing is bright red and less creamy. On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it is a common practice to dip pizza in Catalina French dressing.

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Is Catalina dressing sweeter than French dressing? ›

Catalina dressing is similar to French dressing, but has less fat and more sugar.

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What is the most popular salad dressing in us? ›

Ranch Dressing

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper. A creamier and richer version often features sour cream or yogurt for enhanced taste.

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What kind of dressing do they use at Olive Garden? ›

What's in Olive Garden salad dressing? Olive Garden has two versions of its salad dressing: signature Italian and Light Italian. The signature Italian is a vinaigrette, but instead of olive oil and balsamic vinegar as you might expect, it's made with soybean oil and distilled vinegar.

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Does Ken's make Catalina dressing? ›

Ken's California French Dressing is a classic red Catalina-style French. Moderate-bodied with a vivid red color. Sweet tomato notes are combined with a mild vinegar tang and subtle spicing. Brightens up lush green salads, wedge salad, veggie plates—adds tang to coleslaw too.

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Is Western salad dressing the same as Catalina? ›

Catalina is thinner in consistency while Western is thick and rich. Even the color of Western is better, it's a rich reddish color while the Catalina has an orange tinge to it.

Is a reuben better with Thousand Island or Russian dressing? ›

The Reuben sandwich is a traditional American grilled sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. While Russian dressing is the time-honored dressing of choice, it is extremely common to find thousand island dressing being used as well.

Learn More Now ›

What is Russian dressing now called? ›

In the United States, Russian dressing has largely been supplanted by Thousand Island dressing, which is sweeter and less spicy than Russian. Other combinations of mayonnaise and ketchup, but without the spicy ingredients, are known as fry sauce or other names, and typically served with French fries or tostones.

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What's the difference between catalina and western dressing? ›

Catalina is thinner in consistency while Western is thick and rich. Even the color of Western is better, it's a rich reddish color while the Catalina has an orange tinge to it.

Is Catalina dressing high in sugar? ›

French or Catalina dressing contains 1048 calories per 250 g serving. This serving contains 98 g of fat, 2.2 g of protein and 47 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 44 g sugar and 6 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate.

Get More Info Here ›

Do Catalina and French dressing taste the same? ›

Catalina dressing is tangy and sweet…just like French dressing. But it's not as creamy or spiced.

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What is the main ingredients in salad dressing? ›

A classic recipe that everyone enjoys, made with oil and vinegar. This is the solid foundation of the salad dressing world. To make, whisk 1 tsp Dijon mustard with 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sugar and salt and pepper in a small bowl or shake together in a jam jar.

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