Background and objectives <p>The effect of dietary patterns on renal function in diabetic patients has not been fully clarified. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and renal function in newly diagnosed diabetic patients in the city of Guilin, China.</p> Methods and study design <p>Adults who participated in health check-ups in Guilin, Guangxi, China, in 2023, were screened and a total of 1028 datasets were collected. In the second year, participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) within the past year and without pre-existing renal impairment were eligible for inclusion: 301 eligible participants were ultimately included in the study. After a 1-year follow-up, the participants were categorized into case and control groups based on whether they developed renal impairment, assessed by changes in renal function indexes. Dietary intake was quantitatively assessed according to a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Factor analysis (FA) was used to identify underlying dietary patterns. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and renal function in new-onset diabetic patients.</p> Results <p>Three dietary models were extracted using FA for legumes and vegetables, red meat, aquatic products, and mushrooms. The red meat dietary pattern was a risk factor for renal impairment in new-onset diabetic patients in Model 1 (OR = 1.341, 95% CI: 1.056–1.704) and Model 2 (OR = 1.391, 95% CI: 1.087–1.785).</p> Conclusions <p>Red meat dietary patterns were associated with an increased risk of renal impairment in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. It is recommended that newly diagnosed diabetic patients reduce their intake of red meat.</p>