If you’re looking for a way to add more protein and flavor to your meals, cottage cheese salads are the perfect solution. Whether you need a quick, healthy lunch or a filling dinner, cottage cheese is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables, fruits, and proteins.
Not only are these salads high in protein, but they’re also low in calories, making them perfect for anyone looking to maintain or lose weight without sacrificing flavor. Each salad is packed with nutrients and can be customized to your liking, whether you prefer something creamy, tangy, or sweet.
In this post, I’m sharing 15 cottage cheese salad recipes that I can’t stop making. From tangy Greek-inspired bowls to sweet fruit-filled options, there’s a salad for every taste and occasion. Let’s dive in!
1. Cottage Cheese Salad With Smoked Salmon & Avocado
This salad is proof that hitting your protein goals doesn’t have to be boring. With smoked salmon, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and a perfectly boiled egg, all layered over cottage cheese, you get a fancy meal that’s quick to prepare and packed with healthy fats and protein.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 3 ounces smoked salmon, sliced
- 1 boiled egg, sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Layer cottage cheese in a bowl.
- Arrange smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, and boiled egg on top.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Calories per serving: 350
2. Cottage Cheese and Cucumber Salad
This refreshing salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a light side dish. Crisp cucumbers pair beautifully with creamy cottage cheese and a hint of dill.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cucumbers, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, diced cucumbers, and chopped dill.
- Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss well and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Calories per serving: 180
3. Cottage Cheese and Avocado Salad
Creamy avocado and cottage cheese combine with cherry tomatoes and a squeeze of lime for a nutritious and satisfying salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, diced avocados, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
- Add lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper.
- Toss gently and serve.
Calories per serving: 320
4. Berry Cottage Cheese Salad
A sweet and tangy combination of fresh berries, cottage cheese, and a drizzle of honey, perfect for breakfast or a healthy dessert.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix cottage cheese and fresh berries in a bowl.
- Drizzle with honey and top with chopped mint leaves, if using.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Calories per serving: 250
5. Tomato Basil Cottage Cheese Salad
Juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and cottage cheese come together with a splash of balsamic vinegar for a simple yet flavorful salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped basil in a bowl.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
- Toss well and serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 200
6. Cottage Cheese and Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach leaves, cottage cheese, and a sprinkle of walnuts and cranberries create a nutritious, protein-packed salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Toss cottage cheese and spinach leaves in a large bowl.
- Add dried cranberries and chopped walnuts.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 300
7. Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad
A hearty salad with chickpeas, cottage cheese, cucumbers, and red onions, tossed in a light vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cucumbers, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, chickpeas, diced cucumbers, and sliced red onion in a bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Season with salt and pepper, toss well, and serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 320
8. Greek Cottage Cheese Salad
Cottage cheese mixed with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with oregano.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese in a bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper, toss, and serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 330
9. Cottage Cheese and Fruit Salad
A mix of seasonal fruits like pineapple, grapes, and berries with cottage cheese for a refreshing and sweet salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
- Mix cottage cheese, pineapple, grapes, and mixed berries in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with honey and toss gently.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 270
10. Cottage Cheese and Beet Salad
Earthy beets paired with creamy cottage cheese, fresh greens, and a citrus vinaigrette for a vibrant and healthy dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 4 medium beets, roasted and diced
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, diced beets, and mixed greens in a bowl.
- Whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 250
11. Cottage Cheese and Apple Salad
Crisp apple slices, cottage cheese, and a handful of walnuts with a cinnamon-honey dressing for a sweet and crunchy salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, apple slices, and walnuts in a bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix honey and ground cinnamon.
- Drizzle cinnamon-honey dressing over the salad and toss gently.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 280
12. Cottage Cheese and Quinoa Salad
Protein-packed quinoa, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley in a lemon dressing.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, quinoa, cherry tomatoes, and parsley in a bowl.
- Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 320
13. Cottage Cheese and Pomegranate Salad
Fresh pomegranate seeds, cottage cheese, mixed greens, and a light vinaigrette for a colorful and nutritious salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, pomegranate seeds, and mixed greens in a large bowl.
- Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 240
14. Cottage Cheese and Bell Pepper Salad
Crunchy bell peppers, cottage cheese, and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds for a crunchy and creamy combination.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), diced
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, diced bell peppers, and sunflower seeds in a bowl.
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 250
15. Southwest Cottage Cheese Salad
Black beans, corn, diced avocado, and cottage cheese with a tangy lime-cilantro dressing.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine cottage cheese, black beans, corn, avocado, and cilantro in a large bowl.
- Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently. Garnish with lime.
- Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 300
Conclusion:
These Cottage Cheese Salads are the perfect way to get your protein while enjoying delicious, fresh, and nutritious meals. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, these recipes offer the variety you need to keep your meals exciting and healthy. Try them out and let me know which one is your favorite!
