Easy Kidney-Friendly Salad Dressing Recipe with Hummus – Low Sodium & Low Potassium

I’m Michelle Crosmer, a renal dietician, and today I’m excited to share with you one of the easiest salad dressings you’ll ever make. Whether you're managing kidney health or just looking for a simple, nutritious option, this dressing is perfect. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Build Your Salad

Before we get to the dressing, let’s start with the salad itself. I’ve prepared a large, single-serving salad that includes:

• 3 cups of leafy greens: I used 2 cups of butter lettuce and 1 cup of raw spinach. You can choose any greens you prefer.
• 1 cup of assorted vegetables: I added ½ cup of tomatoes and ½ cup of cucumbers. If you're on a low-potassium diet, swap out high-potassium vegetables like tomatoes for options like bell peppers or jicama.
• ½ cup of plant-based protein: For this salad, I used edamame, but you can choose chickpeas, black beans, tofu, or tempeh, depending on your protein and potassium needs.

This salad is just the right portion size for me, but feel free to adjust based on your hunger levels or dietary needs.

Step 2: Easiest Salad Dressing Ever

Now, for the star of the show—the dressing! This is a super simple, creamy dressing that uses just two ingredients: hummus and vinegar.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 tablespoon of hummus: Any flavor will do! For those concerned about sodium, most hummus servings (2 tablespoons) contain about 115 mg of sodium. Since we’re only using 1 tablespoon, that’s around 57 mg of sodium, making it a low-sodium option even if your hummus contains more.
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar: I’m using apple cider vinegar, but you can use balsamic, red wine, white wine, or rice vinegar—whichever you prefer.

Simply combine 1 tablespoon of hummus with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. You can mix it as is, or get creative by adding any of the following:

• A pinch of black pepper for some kick
• A sprinkle of garlic powder (not garlic salt)
• A dash of hot sauce or crushed red pepper if you like it spicy
• Cumin or chili powder if you’re making a taco salad

If you find the dressing too tangy, you can thin it out with a little olive oil or water. A splash of lemon or lime juice also works great for a citrusy twist.

Step 3: Mix and Enjoy

Once your dressing is ready, drizzle it over your salad. Give it a good toss with a fork and spoon, ensuring all the greens and veggies are coated in that creamy goodness.

Nutritional Breakdown

Here’s a quick look at the nutrition facts for one serving of this dressing:

• Calories: 30
• Sodium: 65-70 mg (depending on the hummus you use)
• Protein: 1 g
• Potassium: 35 mg
• Phosphorus: 25 mg
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1 g

This dressing is low in potassium, phosphorus, sodium, carbohydrates, and calories, making it a great option for anyone managing kidney health. If you need more calories, you can add a little olive oil to the dressing.

Customize to Your Needs

Keep in mind, if you make a bigger salad or need more dressing, you can easily double or triple the recipe. I’ll include the full recipe and nutritional information in the show notes for easy reference.

I hope this simple, kidney-friendly salad dressing becomes a go-to in your kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and delicious—perfect for a busy day or when you just want something light and nutritious. Enjoy!