Craving a punchy, tangy dressing to jazz up your salads without the guilt? Look no further! Dive into my homemade low-calorie Catalina dressing recipe that's bursting with zest and zing. It's quick and easy to prepare, using just a few simple ingredients. Whip up a batch today and enjoy a flavourful twist on your salad.
Whipping up my own salad dressing is a joy! Not only is it fresher and healthier than store-bought versions, but I can also tailor it to suit my taste preferences and keep it lighter on the calories.
There's nothing worse than a dry, boring salad when you're trying to watch the calories. But fear not! With this dressing, you can turn even the most plain of salads into a flavour explosion in a bowl. Plus, it's a hit with the kids too.
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Calories in Homemade Catalina Dressing
This Homemade Catalina Dressing makes 20 tablespoons and is 21 calories per tablespoon
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of under 100 calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients used in this recipe:
- Passata: A smooth, strained tomato sauce that serves as the base of the dressing, providing a rich and vibrant tomato flavour without any chunks or seeds.
- Tomato paste: Adds depth and intensity to the tomato flavour, enhancing the overall taste of the dressing.
- White Wine Vinegar: Adds acidity and tanginess to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients, creating a well-rounded flavour profile.
- Granulated Sweetener: I use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener both of which are naturally derived and the closest in taste to real sugar. Do not use powdered sweetener as it will affect the taste. This is used to balance the acidity of the vinegar and tomatoes, providing a hint of sweetness without adding extra calories. If you prefer you can use sugar, but it will increase the overall calories.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and a silky texture to the dressing, while also helping to emulsify the ingredients.
- Water: Helps to thin out the dressing to achieve the desired consistency, ensuring it coats the salad evenly.
- Paprika: Complements the tangy and sweet elements of the dressing.
- Onion powder: Enhances the savoury flavour of the dressing, adding depth and complexity.
- Garlic powder: Provides a gentle garlic flavour without the harshness of fresh garlic, contributing to the overall savoury profile of the dressing.
- Celery salt: Adds a savoury and slightly salty flavour, enhancing the overall taste of the dressing.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth, umami, and a hint of tanginess, elevating the flavour profile of the dressing. You can use henderson relish is vegetarian.
- Salt and black pepper: These basic yet essential flavour enhancers are key for elevating the taste of your dishes. No food will ever be bland when these are used to season to taste.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
What is Catalina Dressing?
Catalina dressing is a classic American salad dressing characterized by its vibrant red hue and bold, tangy flavour profile. Originating in the 1960s, Catalina dressing swiftly gained popularity. Its unique taste combines sweet and savoury notes, delivering a zesty kick that enhances any salad.
My take on Catalina dressing stays true to its roots while offering a touch of homemade flair. Crafted with a base of passata and tomato paste, my recipe boasts a rich tomato flavour. By opting for passata instead of traditional ketchup, I make a conscious effort to reduce the overall sugar content and create a dressing lower in calories, without compromising on taste. The addition of vinegar and sweetener strikes a perfect balance, creating a tantalisingly tangy yet subtly sweet dressing. Infused with spices like paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder, as well as a hint of Worcestershire sauce, my version of Catalina dressing will elevate your salads.
Storage
After crafting your homemade Catalina dressing, transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. Remember to give it a quick stir or shake before each use to ensure the ingredients are well combined. Stored properly, your homemade Catalina dressing should last for about 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. Enjoy its tangy goodness whenever you crave a flavourful twist on your salads!
Serving Suggestions for Catalina Dressing
Catalina dressing is the perfect accompaniment for a variety of foods, from salads to sandwiches and everything in between.
- Dorito Taco Salad: Drizzle Catalina dressing generously over my classic taco salad featuring crisp lettuce, corn, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips for a zesty flavour explosion.
- Grilled Meats: Serve alongside any of your favourite grilled meats for a sweet and tangy twist
- Vegetable Platter: Use Catalina dressing as a dip for a colorful vegetable platter. Pair it with crunchy carrots, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, and snap peas for a refreshing and nutritious snack.
- Barbecue Spread: Add a dollop of Catalina dressing to your barbecue spread for a unique and flavourful twist. Use it as a topping for burgers, hot dogs, or grilled corn on the cob to elevate your cookout experience.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Spread Catalina dressing onto sandwiches or wraps for a burst of flavour. It pairs well with deli meats, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, adding a sweet and tangy kick to your favourite lunchtime fare.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle Catalina dressing over roasted vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, before serving for a caramelized and flavourful side dish that's sure to impress.
- Potato Wedges/Fries: Serve crispy potato wedges or fries alongside Catalina dressing for dipping. The combination of crunchy potatoes and tangy dressing creates a satisfying snack or side dish that's perfect for sharing.
Experiment with different serving ideas to discover your favourite way to enjoy the versatile and delicious Catalina dressing!
More Dressing and Dip Recipes
Looking for some more Salad dressing and dip recipes? Check out these:
- Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Homemade Light Ranch Yoghurt Dressing
- Louisiana Remoulade Dip
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Butter Bean Dip
- Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Catalina Dressing
Yes, you can make Catalina dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Just be sure to give it a good stir or shake before using it, as the ingredients may separate over time.
Homemade Catalina dressing can typically last for about 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, always use your best judgment and discard the dressing if it shows any signs of spoilage.
It depends on the specific ingredients used in the recipe. Traditional Catalina dressing may contain ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, which may not be vegetarian or vegan-friendly. However, Hendersons Relish, which is vegan-friendly, can be used as a substitute.
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Recipe Card
Homemade Light Catalina Dressing
Homemade low-calorie Catalina dressing recipe that's bursting with zest and zing. It's quick and easy to prepare, using just a few simple ingredients. Whip up a batch today and enjoy a flavourful twist on your salad.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (120g) of Passata
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (puree
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) of white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons of granulated sweetener
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- ¼ cup (80ml) of water
- 1 ½ teaspoons of paprika
- 1 teaspoons of onion powder
- ½ of smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of celery salt
- ½ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients apart from the salt and black pepper in a mini blender or food processor and blend until all combined.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Store in a air tight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free Worcestershire Sauce
- Dairy Free Friendly
- Vegan/Vegetarian - swap Worcestershire sauce for Hendersons relish
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Nutrition Information
Yield 20 Serving Size 1 TablespoonAmount Per Serving Calories 21Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 0mgSodium 40mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Suz says
Loved this recipe. Fast, easy and low calorie. The flavor is amazing. Thank you.