5 Kidney-Friendly Summer Recipes That Will Please a Crowd

Diet and nutrition

June 28, 2023

Kidney-friendly meals don't have to be bland. These easy-to-prepare, delicious recipes are packed with fresh produce, lean proteins, and other kidney-friendly ingredients that will impress your guests while keeping your kidneys happy. 

1. Chef Duane’s Vegan Cheese

Small cup of cheese sauce

Indulge in this creamy and versatile vegan cheese that is perfect for spreading on crackers or drizzling over roasted vegetables.

Serving size: 1 ounce

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oat milk
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp potato starch
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • ½ cup plain, no sugar added, plant-based yogurt

Directions

  1. In a saucepan add oat milk, olive oil, rice vinegar, and Dijon mustard.  
  2. In a bowl mix the dry ingredients together, nutritional yeast, potato starch, and cornstarch.  
  3. Whisk or use an immersion blender to mix the dry ingredients into the oat milk mixture.  
  4. Whisk the mixture over medium heat until it begins to bubble and thicken; remove from the heat.  
  5. Whisk in the yogurt, pour into a container, and let cool before covering and refrigerating.  This cheese will last up to 2 weeks refrigerated.

Get the full recipe and nutritional information.

2. Bow-Tie Pasta Salad

Bowl of pasta salad with raw bow tie shells in the background

This crunchy and colorful bow-tie pasta salad is perfect for outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or as a light and flavorful meal on a warm day.

Serving size: ⅓ cup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked bow-tie pasta
  • ¼ cup chopped celery
  • 2 tbsp chopped green pepper
  • 2 tbsp shredded carrot
  • 2 tbsp minced onion
  • ⅛ tsp pepper
  • ⅔ cup mayonnaise, low-fat
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions

  1. Mix pasta, celery, green pepper, carrot, and onion in a bowl.
  2. In a separate small bowl, blend pepper, mayonnaise, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
  3. Pour over pasta and vegetables.
  4. Mix until well-coated.
  5. Chill before serving.

Get the full recipe and nutritional information.

3. Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

Three overstuffed shrimp tacos on a plate

These spicy, sweet, and savory shrimp tacos are both satisfying and addictive. Don’t be surprised if they become a BBQ favorite that you come back to time and time again.

Serving size: 1 oversized taco

Ingredients

Pineapple Salsa

  • 1 cup pineapple, chopped
  • 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp red onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice

Shrimp Tacos

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1½ tbsp Southwest Chipotle Mrs. Dash*
  • 1½ pound shrimp (approximately 32 medium-sized shrimp), cooked, no tails, peeled, deveined, thawed (if frozen)
  • 4 corn tortillas, taco size
  • 2 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, and Southwest Chipotle Mrs. Dash. Toss shrimp into this mixture, coating the shrimp well. Set aside to marinate. Shrimp mixture can also be made ahead of time and marinated in the refrigerator.
  2. Put salsa together. Mix pineapple salsa ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and set aside.
  3. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp mixture to the pan and cook for approximately 4 minutes, turning shrimp once, until heated through. (Shrimp can also be grilled in a vegetable-type grill basket). 
  4. Assemble tacos by dividing the shrimp mixture among the 4 tortillas. 
  5. Top with 1/4 cup shredded cabbage. 
  6. Top each taco with 1/4 of the salsa mixture. Each taco will be overstuffed.

Get the full recipe and nutritional information.

*Substitute Southwest Chipotle Mrs. Dash with:

  • 1/3 cup chili powder
  • 2 tbsp dried cilantro
  • 2 tbsp cumin
  • 2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp ground chipotle pepper

4. Mexican Style Stuffed Peppers

Tray of stuffed peppers

You’re sure to be pleased by these delightful stuffed peppers that combine bold spices, hearty fillings, and a touch of heat.

Serving size: ½ pepper

Ingredients

  • 3 red bell peppers
  • ½ cup cooked brown rice
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93 % lean/7% fat)
  • ½ cup plus 3 tbsp fresh salsa (found in the refrigerated section in a supermarket)
  • ½ cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Prepare peppers for stuffing by removing the stems and membrane. Slice in half lengthwise.
  3. Blend together the rice, turkey, egg, 1/2 cup salsa, herbs, and spices.
  4. Evenly divide the meat mixture into 6 portions & stuff pepper halves.
  5. Place in a baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  6. Add 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the baking dish.
  7. Bake covered for 45 minutes.
  8. Uncover and top each pepper with 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh salsa.
  9. Bake uncovered for 15 additional minutes.

Get the full recipe and nutritional information.

5. Cranberry-Raspberry Gelatin Salad

Cranberry-Raspberry Gelatin Salad

Looking for a refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion? Try this sweet and tart salad that combines juicy cranberries and tangy raspberries.

Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1 can whole cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 1 box (0.3 oz) raspberry gelatin
  • 1 cup ginger ale

Directions

  1. Boil 1 cup water for gelatin.
  2. Mix with 1 can of cranberry sauce and pour into a large glass serving bowl.
  3. Add 1 cup ginger ale, 1 cup frozen raspberries, and ½ cup chopped celery.
  4. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

Get the full recipe and nutritional information.

Find the perfect recipe

View our kidney superfoods or get more kidney-friendly recipes.