Homemade Catalina Dressing 2 Recipe

I’m really stoked about this tangy-sweet dressing that I whipped up recently—it totally transforms any meal into a flavor party. So here’s how I did it:

1. Grab a bowl and mix 1/2 cup of ketchup with 1/2 cup of water until they’re really blended together.
2. Stir in 1/3 cup of white vinegar and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar. Make sure that the sugar mostly dissolves, it might take a minute.
3. Next, add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to give it that little extra zing.
4. Now, toss in 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder.
5. Give it all a good mix so nothing stays clumpy, you know?
6. Let it sit for about 5 minutes so all the flavors can chill and meld together nicely.
7. Taste it, and if you think it needs a bit more salt or sugar, go ahead and add a tiny bit more.
8. Then pour the dressing into a jar or container.
9. Pop it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using because chilling really helps the flavors develop.

I know it might look kinda simple but trust me, it seriously elevates whatever you’re putting on top of. Enjoy experimenting in your kitchen!

I love making my Homemade Catalina Dressing 2 because its a simple blend of tangy white vinegar and lemon juice with a sweet touch from granulated sugar and a bold ketchup base. I really think the balance of water, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder makes it perfect.

Ingredients

• Ketchup is the heart of this dressing adding a sweet, tangy flavor and carbohydrates.
• Water thins the mix to the perfect consistency.

  It doesn’t add extra nutrients though.

• White vinegar gives a sharp, sour kick that brightens all the other flavors beautifully.
• Granulated sugar provides a burst of carbohydrate energy and that irresistible, sweet taste.
• Lemon juice adds a fresh citrus punch along with a bit of vitamin C goodness.
• Salt, garlic powder, and onion powder round out the dish adding a savory flavor boost.
• Overall, these ingredients deliver a perfect blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1/2 cup ketchup (the base of our dressing)
• 1/2 cup water (helps thin out the mixture)
• 1/3 cup white vinegar (for that tangy kick)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (adds the right amount of sweetness)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice (gives a fresh, citrusy punch)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (to season it all)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (for a bit of spice)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (lifts the overall flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (completes the flavor profile)

How to Make this

1. In a bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup ketchup and 1/2 cup water until they are well blended.

2. Stir in the 1/3 cup white vinegar and 1/3 cup granulated sugar, making sure the sugar mostly dissolves.

3. Next, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice for that little extra zing.

4. Sprinkle in the 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder.

5. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, stirring well so nothing is left clumpy.

6. Let the dressing sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

7. Taste it and if needed, add a tiny bit more salt or sugar to suit your taste.

8. Pour the dressing into a jar or container.

9. Chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using, that really helps the flavors develop.

Equipment Needed

1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
3. Whisk or stirring spoon
4. Storage jar or container with a lid
5. Refrigerator for chilling the dressing

FAQ

• Q: What dishes can I use this Catalina dressing on?
  A: This dressing works great on green salads, but its also awesome on burgers, chicken, or even as a dip.
• Q: Can I swap out the granulated sugar for a healthier option?
  A: Yep, you can try using honey or agave syrup but note that it might change the overall taste a bit.
• Q: How should I store the dressing?
  A: Just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should be good for about a week.
• Q: My dressing turned out too thick, what can I do?
  A: If its too thick you can add a little more water until its just how you like it.
• Q: Can I make this without ketchup if im not a fan?
  A: The ketchup really gives it that classic taste, but you can try mixing tomato paste with a bit extra sugar and water, though the flavor might be a bit different.

Homemade Catalina Dressing 2 Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of ketchup, you can use tomato sauce mixed with a little extra sugar to keep that sweet tang coming through.
• If you dont have water, try low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth to add a bit more flavor to the dressing.
• White vinegar can be swapped out for apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, which gives a similar tangy kick.
• Instead of granulated sugar, use honey or brown sugar, but remember they might make the dressing a bit thicker.
• If you dont have garlic powder and onion powder on hand, freshly minced garlic and finely chopped onions work pretty well too.

Pro Tips

Alright, here’s a reworked version of the recipe along with some pro tips that might help you nail the flavor:

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup ketchup (this is the base of our dressing)
• 1/2 cup water (it helps thin the mixture)
• 1/3 cup white vinegar (for that tangy kick)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (adds sweetness)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice (gives it a citrusy punch)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (to season)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (adds a bit of spice)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (boosts the flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (rounds it all out)

Instructions:
1. First, get a bowl and mix the ketchup with the water until they combine really well. Don’t worry if it gets a bit foamy.
2. Next, stir in the white vinegar and sugar. Make sure you mix long enough so the sugar mostly dissolves. If you feel like the sugar is being stubborn, try stirring a bit more or even warming the water before you mix it in.
3. Add in the lemon juice next then sprinkle the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder over. Make sure to stir everything together real good so there are no clumps.
4. Let the dressing sit for about 5 minutes so that all the flavors blend together. Give it a taste; if you think it needs a bit more salt or sugar, go ahead and fix it now.
5. Once you’re happy with the flavor, pour it into a jar or container and then chill it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. The extra chill time really helps bring out all the flavors in the dressing.

Pro tips:
• If your sugar isn’t dissolving completely, try using slightly warm water. This makes the process easier and your dressing smoother.
• Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasoning. Taste it before chilling and add more salt or sugar if needed. Sometimes a little tweak can really amp up the flavor.
• When chilling, plan ahead. Letting it rest in the fridge for a couple of hours can make a big difference because the flavors get to mingle even more.
• For an extra fresh twist, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. It gives the dressing a more natural and bright flavor that you wont get from the bottled version.

Hope this helps, and happy cooking!