Any Hummus Dressing

Let’s talk about that unassuming container of hummus in your fridge. Yes, that one. Because guess what? It’s not just a dip but your gateway to a next-level velvety dressing.

Chickpeas aside, when you think of the typical ingredients that go into hummus—tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil—you essentially have the makings of a tasty salad dressing already. And once chickpeas are added, you have a base that’s creamy, nutty, and easily transformed into a luxurious dressing. From coating every inch of salads, drizzling over roasted vegetables and grains, or even using it as a marinade, this shortcut hummus dressing is your kitchen’s new MVP.

To make it, almost any store-bought hummus will work as the base. (I say “almost” because, hey, there’s a lot of creativity happening with hummus these days: bacon hummus, mango hummus, vanilla bean hummus, dark chocolate hummus, etc.) Classic hummus, roasted red pepper, za’atar, spicy harissa, lemony beet, roasted garlic, or even jalapeño varieties all work well. Once you have your base picked out, the first step is to quick-pickle finely chopped garlic in lemon juice. These become nice little bits of texture with fresh bursts of garlic flavor. Once the garlic is pickled, the dressing is ready in a flash. Hummus, olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes (although other spices like black pepper or even toasted sesame seeds are great too), and chopped dill (parsley or chives also work) are whisked in to make an emulsified, creamy sauce. For a slightly thicker dressing, feel free to add a tablespoon or more of hummus until your desired consistency is reached.