15 Cottage Cheese Salads I’m Obsessed With!

If you love high protein, satisfying salad bowls, you can’t go wrong with cottage cheese salads! They’re super easy to prepare, healthy, and loaded with goodness, and they also happen to be one of the hottest food trends of 2024. I’ve experimented with so many different flavor combinations and ideas, and these 15 recipes are my ultimate favorites. They’re so good for lunch, dinner, or snacking, and I hope you’ll love them as much as I do! 

(By the way, I’ve also got collections of cottage cheese dinner bowl recipes and cottage cheese pasta recipes that I think you’ll enjoy too!) 

1. Cottage Cheese and Cucumber Salad

This Cottage Cheese and Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and light dish, perfect for a quick lunch or high protein side dish. The crisp cucumbers pair beautifully with the creamy cottage cheese and a hint of dill.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 cucumbers, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced cucumbers, and chopped dill.
2. Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
3. Serve immediately or chill for later.

2. 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.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced avocados, and cherry tomatoes.
2. Add the lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper, and mix gently.
3. Serve immediately.

3. Berry Cottage Cheese Salad

A sweet and tangy combination of fresh berries, cottage cheese, and a drizzle of honey, ideal for breakfast or a healthy dessert.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese and fresh berries.
2. Drizzle with honey and top with chopped mint leaves, if using.
3. Serve immediately.

4. 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.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped basil.
2. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Serve immediately.

5. Cottage Cheese and Spinach Salad

Fresh spinach leaves, cottage cheese, and a sprinkle of walnuts and cranberries for a nutritious and protein-packed meal.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese and fresh spinach leaves.
2. Add the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve immediately.

6. Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad

A hearty salad with chickpeas, cottage cheese, cucumbers, and red onions, tossed in a light vinaigrette.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, chickpeas, diced cucumbers, and sliced red onion.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Toss well and serve immediately.

7. Greek Cottage Cheese Salad

Cottage cheese mixed with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with oregano.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 tomatoes or cup of cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup cubed feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.
3. Season with salt and pepper, toss well, and serve immediately.

8. Cottage Cheese and Fruit Salad

A mix of seasonal fruits like pineapple, grapes, and berries with cottage cheese for a refreshing and sweet salad.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup red grapes, halved
• 1 cup berries of your choice (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese, pineapple chunks, grapes, and mixed berries.
2. Drizzle with honey and toss gently.
3. Serve immediately.

9. Cottage Cheese and Beet Salad

Earthy beets paired with creamy cottage cheese, fresh greens, and a citrus vinaigrette for a vibrant and healthy dish.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced beets, and mixed greens.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well.
4. Serve immediately.

10. 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.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 apples, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, apple slices, and chopped walnuts.
2. In a small bowl, mix the honey and ground cinnamon.
3. Drizzle the cinnamon-honey dressing over the salad and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately.

11. Cottage Cheese and Quinoa Salad

Protein-packed quinoa, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley in a lemon dressing.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well.
4. Serve immediately.

12. Cottage Cheese and Pomegranate Salad

Fresh pomegranate seeds, cottage cheese, mixed greens, and a light vinaigrette for a colorful and nutritious salad.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, pomegranate seeds, and mixed greens.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately.

13. Cottage Cheese and Bell Pepper Salad

Crunchy bell peppers, cottage cheese, and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds for a crunchy and creamy combination.

Serves: 4

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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced bell peppers, and sunflower seeds.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well.
4. Serve immediately.

14. Southwest Cottage Cheese Salad

Black beans, corn, diced avocado, and cottage cheese with a tangy lime-cilantro dressing.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
• 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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, black beans, corn, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Garnish with lime. 
4. Serve immediately.

15. Cottage Cheese and Zucchini Salad

Thinly sliced zucchini, cottage cheese, and fresh mint with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 small zucchinis, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, thinly sliced zucchini, and chopped mint.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately.

These 15 cottage cheese salad recipes offer a variety of flavors and ingredients, making them perfect for any meal. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a nutritious snack, these healthy, high protein salads are sure to satisfy.