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    Home » Dairy-free

    July 12, 2025

    Paleo Catalina Dressing

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Paleo Catalina Dressing is a delicious blend of sweet, tangy and savory flavors thats sure to add a burst of goodness to so many dishes. Try it on salad, taco salad, grilled chicken salad or veggies! It's even a great marinade for chicken. I love making homemade dressings as they are so easy and ready in no time. Try some of my other recipes like this Creamy Dill Dressing or this Orange Poppyseed Dressing.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Having only 8 ingredients that you probably have in your pantry and it takes only 10 minutes to make! It's that perfect blend of sweet and tangy that adds so much flavor to just about everything! Homemade dressings are so much healthier too, especially this variant of Paleo Catalina dressing.

    Ingredients You Will Need

    Extra virgin olive oil: stands out as an excellent choice for dressings. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. Due to this, it retains its natural antioxidants and vitamins.

    Ketchup: unsweetened ketchup allows the true sweetness from the tomatoes to shine through, essential for Paleo Catalina dressing.

    Red wine vinegar: is known for its distinctive tangy flavor and the perfect addition to a Catalina-type dressing.

    Honey: is a nutritious, healthy, and natural food, to which antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties have been attributed. I purchase honey along with other condiments online at Thrive Market for convenience. Save 40% off your entire first order!

    Coconut aminos: is a gluten-free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce. It brings a rich umami flavor and a subtle saltiness and sweetness to a dish.

    Salt: elevates the overall flavor of any dish. Always salt in moderation in accordance with your dietary preferences when preparing Paleo Catalina dressing.

    Onion powder: adds a sweet and savory flavor to certain dishes that you can’t get from fresh onions.

    Smoked paprika: introduces a distinct smoky flavor that complements the other spices, adding depth and a unique taste.

    Instructions

    Combine: all of the ingredients except the olive oil in a blender and blend till smooth and creamy.

    Add: the olive oil and blend again.

    Enjoy!

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    Adding the olive oil: slowly at the end helps the dressing emulsify better, which is crucial for preparing Paleo Catalina dressing.

    If your honey: is thick and grainy, warm it up before adding so it does not create a grainy texture to your dressing.

    Recipe Variations

    Avocado oil: is a good substitute for the olive oil in this dressing recipe.

    Paprika: can be used if you do not have smoked paprika on hand for your Catalina-style dressing.

    Storage Tips

    You can store this dressing in the refrigerator for up to a month in an airtight glass bottle. Paleo Catalina dressing maintains its flavor well during storage.

    FAQs About Paleo Catalina Dressing

    What is Catalina dressing good for?

    This dressing is perfect for salads, sandwiches, dipping sauce, or as a marinade for chicken and veggies.

    Why is Catalina dressing so red?

    This dressing is red due to the amount of ketchup used to make it.

    Is Russian dressing the same as Catalina?

    No, Russian dressing typically has mayonnaise, horseradish or chili sauce in it making it creamier and spicier than Catalina dressing.

    Paleo Catalina Dressing in glass jar with spoon

    Paleo Catalina Dressing

    Penny Kovacs
    This Paleo Catalina Dressing is a delicious blend of sweet, tangy and savory flavors thats sure to add a burst of goodness to so many dishes. Try it on salad, taco salad, grilled chicken salad or veggies!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 people

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil I like Garcia De La Cruz
    • ⅓ cup Ketchup I use unsweetened
    • ½ cup Red wine vinegar
    • ¼ cup Honey
    • 1 teaspoon Coconut aminos
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients except the olive oil in a blender and blend till smooth.
    • Add the olive oil slowly so the dressing emulsifies.
    • Enjoy!
    Keyword Condiment, Dairy-free, Dressing, Gluten-free, Healthy, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free, Salad
    Tried this recipe?Mention @pennypsprimal or tag #pennysprimal

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kat says

      July 30, 2025 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      I just finished making this, and it's fantastic! Far better than store bought Catalina. Beautifully tangy just the way I like it. I used Fish Sauce in lieu of the aminos as it's what I had on hand, and omitted the salt. Personally, I may add just a pinch of salt but I don't find it necessary. This is going to be on constant repeat.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Hi, I'm Penny!

    An Adirondack transplant, founder, recipe developer and food photographer behind Penny's Primal. Nothing makes me happier than being in my kitchen cooking easy and healthy meals for my family and friends! The recipes I create are Whole30, Paleo, Plant based, Gluten and Dairy Free and I know your family will enjoy them as much as mine!

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