If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to elevate your salads, look no further than this creamy hummus salad dressing. Made with just simple ingredients—plain hummus (store-bought hummus or homemade), fresh lemon juice, fresh parsley, capers, and pure maple syrup – optional. Simply throw all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and you are done. I’ve made the dressing often for gatherings and always received compliments on how tasty and refreshing it is. The best part is that it is a healthy dressing. While most salad dressings add a lot of calories and fat, this one is packed with protein and nutrients. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, you’ll find this recipe straightforward and satisfying.
Ingredients for Creamy Hummus Salad Dressing
- Plain Hummus: store-bought or homemade hummus
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed is best
- Fresh Parsley: adds a crisp fresh flavor
- Capers: adds some tanginess
- Water: thins the dressing so it is not too thick
- Maple Syrup: optional but adds a bit of sweetness to the dressing. Pure maple syrup is best
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Equipment Needed
High-speed blender or Food Processor. (I personally use a Vitamix blender)
A hand-held blender can be used as well.
How to Make Hummus Dressing
Blender/Food Processor method:
Toss all the ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor, and blend until texture is smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Note – if salad dressing is too thick, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
No blender method:
Chop the fresh parsley as fine as you can get it. Do the same with the capers.
In a medium mixing bowl, add the hummus, water and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. Add the chopped parsley, capers and maple syrup if you are using it. Whisk until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Chill and Serve:
For the best flavor, let the dressing chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to infuse together beautifully.
Drizzle over your favorite salads, use it as a dip for vegetables, or even as a spread on sandwiches.
Storage
Store hummus dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Nutritional Benefits
This Hummus Salad Dressing is packed with nutrients. Hummus, made from chickpeas, is high in protein and fiber, making your salads more filling and nutrient-dense. Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, while parsley provides a good dose of vitamins K and C and antioxidants. Capers are low in calories and add a punch of flavor without adding fat. While most salad dressings are loaded with fat, oils and preservatives, this dressing is healthy and wholesome.
Variations/Substitutions
- Add about 1- 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to make this a Vegan Caesar Dressing.
- You can experiment with various flavors of hummus.
- Substitute the capers with dijon mustard or apple cider vinegar.
- Substitute the fresh parsley with other fresh herbs such as basil, oregano or chives.
- Beyond salads, this dressing can be used in various ways. It’s excellent as a dip for raw veggies, a spread for wraps and sandwiches, or even as a sauce for grilled chicken or fish.
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
White Bean and Fresh Thyme Dip
Equipment
- High-speed Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
- ½ cup hummus, plain
- ¼ cup water **
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, fresh about 1/2 of a lemon
- 1 tbsp capers
- ¼ cup parsley, fresh
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- For the best flavor, let the dressing chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to infuse together beautifully.
- Drizzle over your favorite salads, use it as a dip for vegetables, or even as a spread on sandwiches.
- Enjoy!
