This is the ultimate hummus hack. If you’re a fellow fan of the creamy goodness and mellow Mediterranean flavor of hummus—and usually have a container or two in your fridge—this simple trick will take your lettuce leaves from lame to fame!

It transforms the everyday staple into a pourable dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything. And as a registered dietitian and longtime hummus devotee, I can tell you this is one of the easiest ways to add nutrition and serious satisfaction to your plate.

The method couldn’t be simpler: mix your favorite store-bought hummus with water, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, then finish with smoked paprika for a subtle kick of smokiness. It’s easy to scale up or down depending on how much you need, and the consistency is adjustable too—thicker for a spread, thinner for a drizzle.

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until it has a smooth dressing consistency.
Step 2: Season with additional salt, pepper, and any other seasonings to taste.

You can use any classic hummus you have on hand, or level up with one of my homemade options like LentilEdamame, or Mango Hummus—each are made with plant-based protein, fiber, and lots of flavor.

And once you try this trick, you’ll start to see other shortcuts, too. You can turn pantry and fridge staples into incredible dressings with just a few simple tweaks. My Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette starts with jarred marinara—yes, really—and creates a bright, zesty vinaigrette with tons of Italian-inspired flair. Or try my Peanut Dressing, made with creamy peanut butter, for a nutty finish that’s perfect on slaws, grain bowls, or noodle salads.

Try my Creamy Tahini Dressing next!

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Hummus Dressing

If you’re a fan of the creamy goodness and mellow flavors of hummus, this dressing hack will take your lettuce leaves from lame to fame.
Yield: 6 tablespoons
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • ¼ cup hummus
  • tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Pinch salt
  • ¼ teaspoon smoky paprika, optional

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until it has a smooth dressing consistency. Season with additional salt, pepper, and any other seasonings to taste.

Notes

• This recipe uses plain, store-bought hummus. To enhance the flavor, you can use any favorite flavored hummus, like roasted red pepper or garlic. It will only make it better!
• For a thicker dressing, start with only 1 tablespoon water.
• This quick recipe is very versatile; you can add any preferred spice, seasoning, or herb. For example, you can add a dash of garlic powder, ground cumin, minced parsley or dill, a squirt of Sriracha, etc.

Nutrition Information per serving

Serving Size: 1 tablespoonCalories: 35Carbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gTotal Fat: 3.5g— Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g— Saturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 60mgFiber: 0gTotal Sugar: 0g— Natural Sugar: 0g— Added Sugar: 0g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!